Moving towards a more sustainable exhibiting experience
Better Stands at Network X
Each edition of Network X hosts hundreds of exhibition stands for you to meet clients face-to-face and promote your cutting-edge solutions.
We are proud to be the place where the telecoms industry makes these invaluable connections, but we are conscious that the ‘single-use’ nature of many stands leads to significant amounts of waste.
This is why we’ve introduced our Better Stands Programme. We believe that by working in collaboration with our exhibitors and appointed contractors we can eliminate the waste connected to single-use, space-only stands – while still delivering world-class designs that have a second life after the show closes its doors.
We are encouraging all exhibitors and their appointed contractors to join us in not building disposable stands.
The Better Stands programme has been divided into three key stages – Bronze, Silver, and Gold. This helps facilitate a gradual transition from disposable to reusable stands for all exhibitors.
In some regions, most stands are already built this way, and through Better Stands we aim to help guide the rest of the world who do not yet benefit from this construction process.
Going forward, Better Stands will become part of stand-build regulations. Compliance will be monitored throughout the event cycle from stand plan submission through to on-site review and verification.
As part of our commitment, we are focusing on:
Embed sustainability into our brand by 2025 to inspire our sector to be more sustainable, promoting the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Become carbon neutral, halve our waste and save customers more carbon than we emit by 2025 as a stepping stone to being zero waste and net zero carbon by 2030 or earlier.
Support of the local economy and community, champion diversity and inclusion, enhance the wellbeing of all involved in the event.
How do you define a Better Stand?
We classify all stands into 4 categories - Disposable, Bronze, Silver or Gold, depending on the particular elements that are reused or recycled.
All elements of a particular category must be shown to be reused or recycled in order to achieve the classification. If a stand does not meet all the elements to the Bronze level then it is classed as disposable.
Reducing waste through collaboration
Why remove disposable stands?
Disposable stands are used only once and create considerable environmental, health and safety issues on-site.
They generate substantial amounts of waste and employ higher risk construction practices. In some regions, disposable stands can make up more than 80% of the events total waste.
There is a need for stands, constructed safely which can be reused in the future, ensuring safer, smoother builds and importantly contributing to a significant reduction in the waste generated at each and every event.
Exhibitors should liaise with their contractors when agreeing the design and build of a stand to ensure it will be reuse either by themselves or by the contractors. An Exhibitors Procurement Guide is available to support your contractor selection process
How will this benefit exhibitors?
Ensures a smoother, more predictable, and stress-free build and breakdown experience.
Removes the likelihood of contractors requiring early access or late working and their subsequent costs.
Promotes brands in positive light by highlighting sustainable qualities.
Reduces the costs of design and construction of your stand.
Lowers your waste bill and other unpredicted costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did you create Better Stands?
We know that disposable stands create significant environmental, health and safety and wellbeing issues onsite at our events. Across Informa (Network X's parent event) in 2019, we saw that disposable stands/booths equated to over 80% of our total waste generated at events. Proactively addressing this practice globally, at individual events like CPHI, is key to creating a more sustainable events industry.
What is a disposable stand?
When we talk about disposable stands we mean single use, disposable booths made from raw materials onsite, such as chipboard, particleboard or low-density fiberboard (LDF). The quality of finish is often also compromised due to working time pressures.
What is a reusable / non-disposable stand?
A non-disposable/reusable stand is constructed using materials designed to be used multiple times. For example:
• Frame and fabric
• Wood stock panels
• Aluminium modular
• Cardboard flat pack
• Exhibitor owner OR rented
• Plus many others!
There are almost endless variations of multiple use stands to suit every size and desired appearance. The cost of these stands is generally lower than for disposable stands, helping reduce outlay and provide a better long-term investment.
How do I know if my stand is Bronze, Silver or Gold?
All stands at CPHI Barcelona will be independently verified to determine which level they have achieved. Better Stands exhibitors will receive certification following the verification to confirm the level they have achieved.
What about shell scheme or MSD stands?
These are already compliant with our sustainability measures. Better Stands is targeted at space only builds, which historically create the most waste.
What else are you doing to make CPHI more sustainable?
We aren’t just asking our exhibitors to consider sustainability – we are working hard to become a more sustainable brand.