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Five Ways to Make Your Next Trade Show Eco-Friendly |
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| In recent years people have become more environmentally conscious. From switching to hybrid cars to reusable shopping bags, “going green” has surpassed trend status and become a cultural movement. Businesses have begun to adopt more eco-friendly practices. Many offices have now eliminated disposable cups in favor of reusable mugs, use only recycled paper, and utilize natural sunlight to illuminate the office and reduce the consumption of electricity. Through their actions, these companies have significantly reduced their carbon footprints and their negative impact on the environment.
Trade shows, a historical haven for tremendous amounts of waste, are a great time to highlight what makes you different from the competition. By making a few simple alterations to your normal trade show exhibit, you can stand out from the crowd by showing your industry how dedicated you are to maintaining the environment. From what your booth representatives are wearing to what you choose to give away, there are a number of ways to lessen your impact on the environment at your next trade show.
- Organic Apparel. An important way to show your company’s dedication to the environment is to have your employees wear organic apparel at your next trade show. While many booths may be using recycled paper or giving away reusable water bottles, not many of the participants will be wearing organic polo shirts. By outfitting your employees in organic apparel, you demonstrate that your dedication to the environment runs deeper than the competition’s. Attendees are more likely to remember the brand that went the extra mile than a company that only incorporated one or two eco-friendly elements into their trade show booth. Alternatively, you could consider giving away organic T-shirts to involve your potential customers with eco-friendly living.
- "Business Cards". Giving away business cards is essential at trade shows because you want visitors to be able to contact you once the conference is over. However, these little paper cards produce a lot of waste and are easily lost. Instead of distributing traditional business cards, consider imprinting eco-friendly pens or tins of promotional mints with your contact information. Not only are these products less wasteful than traditional business cards, but they are more useful and creative. Clients are not only more likely to remember your business, but they will remember your creativity and see you as a valuable resource for solving their business problems.
- USB Flash Drives. Imagine how many trees get cut down each year to supply all of the informational fliers that get handed out at trade shows. By handing out branded USB flash drives with your company’s pertinent information stored on it, you not only demonstrate your commitment to avoiding paper waste, but you also showcase your cutting-edge, technologically savvy side. People carry flash drives with them everywhere, so imprinting your company name on them constantly reminds your recipients of your business. Giving potential clients something they can always use makes them much more likely to contact your company once the trade show is over.
- Recycled Notepads. At trade shows, you want to interact with potential clients. This means answering any questions they may have about your company and making sure they leave with a good impression of your business. By giving away recycled note pads, you are giving potential clients the opportunity to write down and remember all the important points about your business. They’ll appreciate your transparency, and your consistent efforts to help the environment.
- Reusable Tote Bags. As with any good promotion, it’s important to tie all the elements of your trade show together. With all the eco-friendly products you’ve given away, your potential clients might like something to carry it all. Consider reusable trade show bags as another giveaway. Not only will it show your commitment to the environment, but this thoughtful gesture will also highlight your commitment to your clients’ comfort—a quality your potential clients will be pleased with.
It’s easy to see how going green benefits not only the environment, but also your business. If you’ve already made the decision to go green, use it to your advantage! If you haven’t yet, now is the time to do so. Stand out from the crowd at your next trade show by highlighting your commitment to the environment and reap the benefits of your ecologically friendly efforts.
Written by Mark Yokoyama
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