Your Guide To Planning an Eco-Friendly Trade Show

Julie Starr • November 29, 2021



An increasing number of companies recognize the need to reduce their negative environmental impact. As a result, they are looking for ways to participate in sustainable activities that will benefit the environment today and tomorrow. 

This recognition has led many of them to consider green practices when planning a trade show event. Since almost every company exhibits at trade shows, this is often an excellent opportunity to showcase one’s green practices and spread the word about positive changes being made on many levels, including environmental ones.

Unfortunately, some people misunderstand what it means to be “eco-friendly” or “green.” If you’ve attended any green conferences lately, you may have noticed that attending can be costly. Marketing budgets for these shows are huge, and there isn’t a lot of money left over for environmental costs. 

At best, they tend to be poorly attended and leave the environment worse off than before the show started. Unfortunately, this is all too common and can easily contribute to an “eco-unfriendly” sense of futility. It’s important to remember that green events need not be expensive or overdone in their approach, no more so than any other event ever planned by anyone for anything. 

There is no reason why eco-friendly trade shows cannot reach as many people as conventional ones do – if done right, as long as you have good content, timing, organization, and promotion. Following are some tips on how to plan an eco-friendly trade show. 

Be Authentic

When planning an “eco-friendly” trade show, the first thing to consider is that your company needs to be “eco-friendly” before you spend any resources on events, no matter how small. If your company isn’t already green and doesn’t anticipate becoming so in the future, it’s just not worth the effort. It makes sense to invest time and money into trade shows only when they are likely to carry an efficient use of things like marketing, booth space rentals, exhibitor costs, etc.

Plan In Advance

The next thing you need to consider is timing. You should start planning eco-friendly trade shows at least six months to a year in advance if possible. This will give you enough time to make arrangements, have your booth designed by a trade show booth company without placing too much pressure on yourself or other people involved with planning the event itself.

Focus On The Purpose

The third thing you need to do is have a clear purpose for having an eco-friendly trade show. This means being clear on why you are doing it in the first place, not just what benefits people will get from attending.  It also means deciding whether your goal is to showcase how energy efficient or “green” your products are or whether you intend to use this platform as a forum for educating others about environmental issues that most people don’t know about.  Remember that education can encourage action, but it’s often best to educate by promoting your own success stories rather than trying to talk down to anyone who disagrees with your point of view – they are both equally valuable ways of bringing awareness.

An eco-friendly trade show will have a positive impact on the environment and help you get more visitors to your booth. It can be a great way to practice going green without being too much in people’s faces about it. As companies continue their push for greener products and services, more people will take notice.

Why Telling Your Sustainability Story Matters — And How Taiga Company Can Help

By Julie Starr • December 17, 2024
In today’s world, sustainability is no longer a buzzword—it’s a business imperative. Consumers, investors, and stakeholders are demanding more transparency and accountability from brands. They don’t just want to know what you sell; they want to know who you are, what you stand for, and how your work contributes to a better world. That’s where your sustainability story comes in. Sharing your achievements in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives isn’t just about meeting expectations—it’s about building trust, fostering loyalty, and inspiring action. At Taiga Company, we specialize in helping organizations authentically communicate their sustainability achievements in ways that drive measurable impact and align with their goals. Why Sharing Your Sustainability Achievements Is Good for Business Build Trust with Stakeholders Sustainability storytelling builds credibility and trust. Whether you’re addressing investors, employees, or customers, sharing your sustainability milestones demonstrates your commitment to accountability and long-term value creation. For example: Highlight your efforts in achieving science-based targets, reducing carbon emissions, or adopting circular economy practices. These stories resonate with audiences looking for businesses that align with their values. Differentiate Your Brand In a competitive marketplace, sustainability can set you apart. Brands that communicate their achievements in regenerative agriculture, water stewardship, or biodiversity conservation position themselves as industry leaders and innovators. Think of it this way: A well-told sustainability story is not just a report—it’s a statement of leadership, authenticity, and purpose. Drive Stakeholder Engagement Sustainability stories invite dialogue. By showcasing meaningful milestones, like successful recycling initiatives or community reforestation projects, you foster stronger relationships with stakeholders who want to be part of your mission. Engagement isn’t just about storytelling; it’s about inspiring action. Whether through social media campaigns, press releases, or executive thought leadership, your achievements can encourage others to collaborate and support your goals. Attract Purpose-Driven Talent and Customers Today’s workforce and consumers seek brands with purpose. Communicating your impact helps attract talent and customers who align with your mission. A transparent, well-executed sustainability strategy speaks volumes about your leadership and values. At Taiga Company, we specialize in results-driven communications that empower purpose-led brands to share their sustainability achievements with confidence and clarity. Our services ensure your story resonates with the audiences that matter most. Your sustainability achievements deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Whether it’s reducing carbon emissions, innovating in sustainable packaging, or leading water stewardship initiatives, telling your story is an opportunity to inspire trust, drive action, and shape a better future.

Why Going Green Is No Longer Optional for Industry Leaders

By Julie Starr • December 16, 2024
Alright, so here’s the deal, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword anymore. Sure, at this most most industries, yes, even the most unsustainable industries have this general idea, right? Well, you’re always going to find some businesses in some niches (and yes, industries too) who think that it doesn’t apply to them. But no, it applies to all niches and all industries, and yes, it’s a business requirement. Now, across every industry, the companies that are embracing green practices are the ones that are thriving. Why? Well, because customers, investors, and employees are all paying attention. If a business isn’t making an effort to be sustainable, it’s not just falling behind, it’s losing out. Overall, sustainability isn’t just about saving the planet; it’s about saving your business. Yes, this needs to be hammered in, so industry leaders, here’s why you’re just not excused. Green Practices Mean Growth Yep, it’s that plain and simple, So, sustainability isn’t just about doing the right thing, it’s about doing the smart thing. Businesses that prioritize green practices are cutting costs, staying competitive, and building trust with their audiences. So, reducing waste, switching to renewable energy, and sourcing materials ethically aren’t just good for the planet, they’re great for the bottom line. Simple enough, right? Well, take packaging, for example. Cutting down on unnecessary plastics doesn’t just make customers happy; it slashes production and disposal costs. So, switching to energy-efficient operations isn’t just environmentally friendly, rather, it saves a fortune on utilities. There don’t need to be roadblocks seen, rather they should be opportunities! There’s Plenty to Gain Okay, so sustainability isn’t just for industries with obvious environmental impact, it’s critical in healthcare too. Again, no excuses here. Hospitals and clinics use massive amounts of energy, and the waste from single-use supplies piles up fast. The same can be said for labs, and pharmacies too. Actually, go ahead and take specialty drugs as an example. Now, most people know that these life-changing treatments are for serious conditions, but they often come with sky-high costs. But why? Well, the production and distribution processes can be incredibly resource-heavy. But even sustainable practices can help lower prices, such as energy-efficient manufacturing or even cutting down on excess packaging. It might be hard to see, but little changes can make massive impacts on costs (and what’s being spent on both ends). Tech Easily Shows How Sustainability Drives Innovation The tech industry has been leading the charge when it comes to sustainability, and the results speak for themselves. Actually, companies like Google and Apple are proving that being green isn’t just possible, but this can actually be pretty profitable! If tech companies can do this, then yeah, all industries are capable. So above, medicine was mentioned, but data centers are also a great example ( since they use a lot of energy). Well, nowadays, most companies are now powering these centers with renewable energy, cutting costs and emissions at the same time. No Industry Gets a Free Pass It doesn’t matter if it’s healthcare, tech, retail, or manufacturing, basically, every industry has something to gain by going green. There are small examples like retailers ditching plastic bags for reusable ones. Then there are bigger examples like factories rethinking supply chains to cut emissions and save costs. But the reality is that businesses sticking to wasteful, outdated practices are falling behind. Besides, governments are rolling out stricter regulations.
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