THESSALONIKI, GREECE ─ A sustainability initiative that began as a pilot by Informa is now available to the global exhibitions industry, with organizers, venues, contractors and associations worldwide encouraged to adopt reusable stands under the Better Stands framework.
The framework, now hosted by Net Zero Carbon Events and supported by the International Federation of Exhibition & Event Services (IFES), was formally launched during UFI European Events Week in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Better Stands promotes a shift from single-use to reusable event structures, offering a clear classification system and assessment process designed to reduce carbon emissions and waste while encouraging cost efficiencies and creative flexibility.
To date, more than 50,000 stands have been evaluated under the program, which awards Bronze, Silver or Gold status based on how many elements of a stand are reusable or recyclable. Organizers can pursue pre-certification ahead of the show or undergo on-site evaluations by trained assessors.
“The Better Stands Steering Committee deserve tremendous praise and great appreciation from the industry worldwide for pioneering this initiative and developing it so successfully in a very short time,” James Rees, President of the Joint Meetings Industry Council, which hosts Net Zero Carbon Events on behalf of the global conference, exhibition and business event industries, said.
“The pilot period of Better Stands has rapidly demonstrated that it has enormous potential to make a major contribution to the industry’s drive to reduce its carbon emissions substantially,” Rees added. “By combining the Better Stands and Net Zero Carbon Events initiatives we will be able to use JMIC’s global network to reach many more exhibition and congress organizers, stand and service contractors, exhibitors and venues enabling everyone to better understand the measurable benefits they will bring.”
Related. Better Stands Program Aims to Provide More Sustainable Trade Show Displays
A Framework for Reuse and Recognition
Created by Informa and piloted starting in 2023, Better Stands has already been implemented at over 400 events across 37 countries. The framework’s expansion opens participation to the broader global industry under the stewardship of a 13-member steering committee representing organizers, venues, assessors and service contractors.
“IFES is in the role of being responsible for the execution and further development of Better Stands with a balanced and united group of industry leaders forming a Steering Committee,” Jörg Zeissig, IFES President, said. “We are proud of the Better Stands initiative that gives us the opportunity to unite the industry by providing easy solutions for an ecosystem that drives innovation and value adds to all stakeholders in the event and exhibition industry by promoting reusable resources at all events globally. The beauty of Better Stands within the NZCE is the neutral ground, ease of usability, open source and the potential to become a global standard to compare apples to apples.”
Industry Support
Several industry leaders also voiced strong support for the program, citing environmental, operational and reputational benefits.
“Better Stands fosters collaboration among organizers, venues, contractors and exhibitors to drive sustainability and set a new standard for future-ready exhibitions,” Chris Skeith, OBE, CEO and Managing Director of UFI, said. “Under the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative, this shift towards reusable stands also boosts creativity, cost-efficiency and smarter resource use across the industry. UFI is proud to support this important initiative and looks forward to continuing to do so.”
Ben Wielgus, Head of Sustainability at Informa, noted the commercial and environmental benefits already demonstrated through the initiative’s pilot phase.
“Better Stands has already worked at hundreds of events worldwide,” Wielgus said. “The framework, created over several years and tested in more than 30 countries, offers straightforward approaches to understanding the reusability of the elements of exhibition stands and celebration for those exhibitors and service providers who already meet future customer demands.
“We’re really excited for this next stage of its growth, leveraging NZCE’s global scale to increase the efficiency, sustainability and commerciality of events of all shapes and sizes. This is an invitation to the whole industry ─ join us, explore the opportunities the program creates and help grow Better Stands as the international standard,” he said.
Industry service providers are also seeing the business value of reusable frameworks.
“At GES, we look after the infrastructure of some of the biggest events in the industry,” Natalie Wing, Commercial Director, GES EMEA, said. “We’re constantly looking at ways we can reduce our impact, use and re-use resources, and be smarter with environmental design; it’s central to our own Net Zero commitment.”
Ellen Osborne, ESG Manager at Clarion Events, emphasized the alignment with broader business strategy. “Clarion Events joined Better Stands as connecting people more sustainably is a business imperative for us,” Osborne said. “Better Stands offered a proven way to exhibit more sustainably while aligning the industry around a consistent, credible framework. It lets us track progress, reinforce positive behaviors, and move faster ─ together.”
Reach Chris Skeith at cs@ufi.org; Jörg Zeissig at joerg@ifesnet.org; James Rees at joerg@ifesnet.org
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