Here is the least discussed truth in the exhibition industry: most of a bespoke stand goes in a skip on the final evening of the show. That is both an environmental and a financial loss, and it is largely avoidable.
A permanent frame with a changing skin
The most effective approach is to think of a stand in two layers: a permanent frame and a changing skin. The aluminium structure is stored and used for years; graphic surfaces, infill panels and colours are renewed at each show. The stand looks different every time, while the bulk of the cost is paid once.
Screwed joints, not glued ones
Whether something can be dismantled is decided during production. Glued and siliconed joints break on the way apart; surfaces built with screws and concealed fixings separate without damage. That choice costs a little more on the first build and saves a great deal at every show afterwards.
Keep graphics separate
Print should go onto tensioned fabric or a magnetic system rather than directly onto the panel. That way a campaign message that changes during the year does not force you to remanufacture the whole wall.
Does storage actually make sense?
Not every stand is worth storing. Do the arithmetic: if annual storage costs more than a quarter of rebuilding the stand, and you are not exhibiting at least once a year, storage is not economic. Our approach is to store only the elements with a genuine reuse plan and send the rest for recycling.
Material choices
Panels with recycled content, water-based paints, LED lighting and recyclable carpet are now standard products. On most projects the cost difference is a few per cent, and for corporate clients who report on sustainability it is a measurable gain.
