Getting started – The first question we asked ourselves was how to get started in response to client demands. Again, many of our clients have adopted sustainability practices in numerous ways, and the build of a new exhibit project is a great opportunity to put their new resolve forward. Fortunately, change happens most easily when you can apply it to a specific product, problem or system. Beginning with a new exhibit, the most public face of your organization, is a great start point. Partnering with a company that is also committed to a Green Conscious program helps move our client’s plans forward. Starting with something tangible but contained gives an organization the opportunity to retool thinking, modify practice, and channel the results into eco-effective future visions. If you’ve got a new building or exhibit project that is still in its infancy, use that opportunity to incorporate sustainability into the project from the beginning. It is much more difficult to add sustainability principles halfway through a project. Starting early enough will give you the time needed to build the case, find resources and secure support.

Intention – To become more responsible members of our communities and planet requires intention and perseverance. Sustainability must be a priority. No one who is working in green design has yet created the perfect sustainable building or exhibit. There is much work to be done, many products to be invented and lots of innovation ahead of us. Here are a few of the ideas we have brought to the trade show floor to promote sustainability. Along with our recyclable aluminum building system, recyclable lighting, carpet and padding that is used for crating purposes after a show, and furnishings that also are reused a number of times, we have recently added –

• Bamboo Flooring – Bamboo is a member of the grass family that matures in three years, regenerates without need for replanting and requires minimal fertilization or pesticides.  This is an ideal feature of sustainability practices

• Cork Floor Tiles – From harvest to production to installation, cork is environmentally sustainable, non-toxic, and healthy

• Green Floors commercial carpet tiles – are all made with recycled nylon and backing. These carpet tiles bear the CRI Indoor Air Quality label. This label is assurance that our carpet tiles are responsible, low-emitting carpet and encourage sustainability

• Graphics – we are in a constant search for new printing surfaces. We have just added BIOboard – a 100% recyclable, all paper material made from 70% recycled content

• Stains and Finishes – Our stains and finishes are water-based, low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound), and VOC Free. All stain, paint, and finishing products are low or no emitting treatments for minimal environmental impact

• LED Lighting – An LED light bulb can reduce energy consumption by 80-90% and last around 100,000 hours

Many of these products can be added to a design without a discernible difference in the final offering.