Author: Aleksandra Wardach, PR & Communications Manager, BWS Expo Plus

One of the biggest challenges facing the modern trade show industry is striking a balance between creativity, functionality, and the responsible use of resources.

Increasingly, it’s not just about how a trade show booth looks during the event, but also what happens to its components after the show is over.

At Vitafoods Europe 2026, three projects built by BWS EXPO Plus received the Gold Better Stands certification—the highest level of recognition awarded under an international program promoting a more responsible approach to the design and construction of trade show booths.

The award-winning booths, with areas of 217 m², 157 m², and 27 m² respectively, occupied a total of over 400 m² of exhibition space. Each project met the program’s requirements in all 10 assessed areas.

What is Gold Better Stands?

Although the Better Stands program was developed by Informa Markets, it is currently being rolled out as an international industry initiative under the auspices of Net Zero Carbon Events (NZCE), with the support of IFES—the International Federation of Exhibition & Event Services.

Unlike many industry awards, it does not evaluate the creativity of the design or the visual impact of the booth. The audit focuses on whether individual elements of the booth can be reused or recycled after the event concludes.

The highest level, Gold, is awarded to projects that meet the program’s requirements in all assessed areas. In the case of the projects prepared by BWS EXPO Plus for Vitafoods Europe 2026, each of the assessed projects achieved this level.

What is evaluated in the Better Stands program?

The Better Stands certificate is not awarded solely on the basis of declarations or design documentation. The evaluation process consists of several stages—from preparing the design and submitting information prior to the event, through the construction of the booth, to verification conducted during the trade show itself.

On site, the booth is evaluated by trained specialists who verify that the declared solutions match the actual construction. The evaluation covers both the materials and structural elements used, as well as their potential for reuse or recycling after the event concludes.

Only after the entire process is complete is the final classification awarded.

As the trade show industry continues to evolve, not only is the design of the booth itself becoming increasingly important, but so is how its components are managed after the event concludes.

The ability to reuse selected components helps maintain brand consistency at future trade shows, increases flexibility for future projects, and helps make more efficient use of available materials. This approach is increasingly viewed not only as responsible but also simply as practical.

As part of the Better Stands program, 10 areas of the trade show booth were evaluated in terms of the reusability or recyclability of its components:

booth design and walls,

platforms and raised floors,

furniture and furnishings,

booth lighting,

booth signage and branding elements,

suspended structures,

ceilings and ceiling components,

display cases, lightboxes, and display elements,

floor covering,

artwork and decorative elements.

Reports prepared after the trade show highlight, among other things, the possibility of reusing structures, raised floors, furniture, fixtures, and lighting. In the case of the projects evaluated, selected graphic elements and floor coverings were also reused.

The Better Stands rating is based on specific solutions

One example is the panels used in the construction of trade show booths. If, once the project is complete, they can no longer be reused as structural elements, they are given a second life as underlayment to reinforce floors or as structural components used in the construction of raised platforms. When they can no longer serve even this purpose, they are processed into blocks used as supports and spacers for pallets in a warehouse. A single material can therefore be used in up to three consecutive stages of its life cycle.

The situation is similar with trade show graphics. Once the event is over, they aren’t immediately discarded. Depending on the needs, they are reused to protect furniture, cover stored items, or serve as protective material when transporting booth components to the next trade show.

It is precisely these solutions—often invisible to visitors—that contribute to a more efficient use of materials and are one of the areas evaluated in the Better Stands program.

Custom trade show booths and new market demands

For companies using off-the-shelf modular solutions, some of the program’s requirements may be a natural part of their work. In the case of custom trade show booths, the situation is different. Each project requires separate design, structural, and technological decisions.

Therefore, we do not view this award as proof that there is a single universal solution for the entire industry. Rather, we see it as confirmation that even in projects built from the ground up, it is possible to effectively seek solutions that allow for better use of materials and structural elements without compromising on quality, functionality, or aesthetics.

“Even during the installation, I reached out to Abraxys Global to let them know that we meet all the requirements of the Better Stands policy. We did this not only to meet all the requirements necessary for certification, but also to share our knowledge and inspire others to seek solutions in the area of sustainability.”

Przemysław Regulski, Project Manager, BWS EXPO Plus

A trend worth watching

The trade show industry is gradually changing. Increasing attention is being paid not only to the appearance of a booth, but also to its design, the materials used, and the possibility of reusing booth components after the event.

At BWS EXPO Plus, we are following this trend with great interest, and we view the Gold Better Stands award not as an end goal, but as confirmation that even in the case of custom projects, it is possible to effectively combine high-quality craftsmanship, a creative approach to design, and a more conscious use of resources.

For us, this award is, above all, a testament to the quality of our entire team’s work and a motivation to continue developing solutions that meet the evolving expectations of the trade show market.

Every booth has its own story

For some, brand recognition is key; for others, it’s functionality, the visitor experience, or solutions that allow for the reuse of selected structural elements. Our role is to find the solution that best meets the needs of a specific project.

Do you have an idea for a trade show booth? We’d be happy to help you turn it into a finished project.

Contact us!

Story republished from BWS Expo Plus: https://bws-expo.com/en/articles/trade-show-booths-and-sustainable-development-bws-expo-plus-earns-the-gold-better-stands-certification