But Don’t Forget to Spread the Word!
Trade shows are an important part of the business world. Getting innovators and entrepreneurs together to exchange ideas and show off new products gets those products into consumers’ hands faster.
This is even more important in the environmental, green, plant-based and cruelty-free marketspaces. Consumers are demanding more social and environmental responsibility from the businesses they support. Across all industries, there is a push towards responsibility in manufacturing, packaging and ingredients. Trade shows facilitate shared ideas and push sustainability forward.
But there’s a problem. Trade shows themselves have a staggering environmental impact. Fossil fuels consumed in travel, massive amounts of food waste, and a whopping 600,000 tons of trash generated by the 60 million who attend trade shows annually, all combine to make trade shows less than eco-friendly.
So, which do you choose? The exchange of green products and practices that a trade show promotes, or the lessened environmental impact of not having a trade show at all? The good news is that you don’t have to choose. Instead, you can make your trade show as green as possible, a great selling point for your target audience, and one that an environmental public relations agency like Orange Orchard can help you promote.
Manage the Waste
Where does that massive amount of waste come from at trade shows? When people are on the go, they tend to use disposable products for food and beverages. All those aluminum cans, plastic water bottles, paper schedules and flyers, pamphlets and brochures tend to end up in a landfill instead of a recycling bin.
Try these alternatives to combat trade show waste:
- Make recycling easy for your attendees and exhibitors with plenty of clearly marked recycling bins.
- Encourage the use of reusable water bottles by providing refilling stations.
- Go digital for schedules and flyers.
- Give exhibitors a booth space discount for using recycled or digital promotional materials.
With careful planning, your trade show could even become a zero-waste event.
Get the Word Out
Environmentally minded professionals might consider skipping trade shows because of their environmental impact, but letting them know you’re mindful of your show’s waste and carbon footprint might ease their minds and boost attendance. An environmental public relations agency can help by:
- Promoting your trade show in trade publications and other relevant media.
- Media training for you and your staff to prep for interviews.
- Leveraging social media to boost your show.
- Building SEO on your trade show website with relevant, informative blogs.
At Orange Orchard, we believe that a successful, thriving green marketspace benefits everyone, and we are excited to promote innovation and idea-sharing throughout the industry. If you would like to learn more about what we can do for your green trade show, call us today at (865) 977-1973 or contact Orange Orchard online.