FAQs
Better Stands is a collaboration across the events and exhibition industry to transition to the use of reusable stands. Better Stands reduces waste, create a safer working environment, and can save time and costs.
The long term goal is to move the exhibitions and events industry to reusable stands/eradicate disposable stands.
Better Stands was originally created by Informa, who quickly recognised that the power of Better Stands lies in widespread adoption across the industry and input from all event stakeholders.
In 2023, a group of organisers came together for an initial pilot of Better Stands. This was later extended to service providers, assessors and further organisers to pilot Better Stands within their organisations and continue to refine the process and structure through feedback. That collaboration successfully proved that Better Stands can be implemented across different events, organisations and regions.
A non-disposable/reusable stand is constructed using materials designed to be used at multiple events. There are almost endless variations of multiple use stands to suit every size and desired appearance and as the cost of these stands is generally lower than for disposable stands this helps to reduce outlay and provide a better investment.
Better Stands creates a safer working environment, reduce waste and often save time and costs for stakeholders across the industry. Specific benefits include:
For organisers:
Reusable stands create less risk of accidents during build and dismantle due to the reduced use of power tools, sawing and working at height, also creating a safer working environment for staff onsite
Better Stands reduces waste, helping organisers towards their own sustainability commitments
Reusable stands take less time to build and dismantle than single-use disposable stands, which can mean reduced tenancy times and further savings
Better Stands reduces the costs of waste management
Helps ensure a better exhibiting experience for their customers, the exhibitors
For service providers:
A service provider’s ability to create a reusable, Better Stands-rated stand is a key positive differentiator in the market
It also gives service providers the ability to align themselves with their customer sustainability goals and requirements
Reusable stands are often safer, which means better contractor welfare
Better Stands trials have found that reusable stands are quicker to build, which means a better customer experience for clients
For venues:
Reusable stands produce less waste than disposable stands, which means a reduced risk of waste being left behind by service providers
As reusable stands take less time to build and dismantle, the potential for reduced tenancy times means more opportunities for additional events to be held during the year
No. There are thousands of different types of reusable stands, for every budget and aesthetic. The choice of materials ranges from aluminium, to glass, wood, plastic, steel and much more. All that’s required is that the elements are reused in a future event. There is no limit on design or creativity.
Each organiser implementing Better Stands on their pilot events will be completing onsite observations utilising the 10 box framework. How these onsite observations will be carried out is down to individual organiser discretion and subsequent resource availability. Any questions related to an individual event’s onsite observations should be directed to the relevant organiser in question.
Better Stands as a framework should be applied consistently globally, however the extent to which stands are assessed can vary from event to event. Organisers will choose what level of assessments to apply at their show, from sampling to gather a baseline, to a comprehensive assessment, done either before the event or during dismantle, or a combination of the two. Organisers can then choose to implement a certificate programme if they have completed an onsite assessment. Please reach out to your relevant Organiser to check this.
No. While Better Stands members are working towards increasing the use of reusable stands, there is no commitment to only accept or use Better Stands rated stands at any event.
Please complete this form and someone from the team will be in touch.
| Term | Description | Non-Preferred Terminology |
| Better Stands Programme | The Better Stands Programme is an industry-wide, global collaboration that seeks to move the industry away from single use, disposable exhibition stands using a 10 point framework as well as layers of communication, training and engagement across the exhibitions and broader events industry. | |
| Better Stands Framework | The Better Stands framework is a 10-point global standard used to assess how reusable an exhibition stand is, rating it as Single Use, Bronze, Silver, or Gold. | 10-point checklist |
| (Stand) Elements | The ten stand elements in the Better Stands Framework are: (1) Stand structure and walls; (2) Platform or raised flooring; (3) Furniture and equipment; (4) Lighting; (5) Fascia and overhead signage; (6) Rigged structure; (7) Ceiling; (8) Display facilities; (9) Floor covering; (10) Graphics and decorative items | Component, Criteria |
| Assessment | The process of scoring against the Better Stands Framework, using a unified set of guidelines applied by every Better Stands Assessor (who are trained via Better Stands Training courses). | |
| Pre-Event Assessment | A desk-based inspection conducted by trained assessors pre-event, using the Better Stands framework, to determine the rating for a given exhibition stand. This is supplemented with on-site spot-checks. | |
| Package Line Assessment | A desk-based inspection conducted by trained assessors pre-event, using the Better Stands framework, to determine the minimum rating that can be given to all exhibition stands built using a chosen stand build system. This is supplemented with on-site spot-checks. | |
| On-Site Assessment | An inspection conducted by trained assessors during the event build and move out, using the Better Stands framework to assess performance and determine the rating to be given to the stand. The onsite assessment during build is what can be used to give an indicative rating. | |
| Pre-Event Survey | A survey issued by Organisers to Service Providers before the event, aligned with the Better Stands framework, enabling Service Providers to self-assess their planned stand design and construction approach. It also informs Organisers and Assessors of the Service Provider’s view of their performance, allowing more targeted and efficient onsite assessments | |
| Rating | The performance of a given stand when assessed against the Better Stands Framework. Ratings are stored in a unified, secure platform, with access protected for each user via their personal user account. | Level, Category, Award, Score |
| Reuse | The practice of using stand elements 1-8 multiple times across events. They must be used at events. Reuse also considers previous uses, even if the element is disposed of in the current event. | |
| Recycling | The process of collecting and reprocessing used materials that would otherwise be discarded. The materials do not go to landfill or for incineration, even if used for energy recovery. | Upcycling, Downcycling. |
| Single Use | An element of a stand is considered single use if it is only used once as an exhibition stand. Being reused for other purposes such as art projects, housing etc does not count as reuse within the exhibition space. | Disposable |
| Single Use Stand | A stand is rated as single use under the Better Stands framework when there is little or no evidence of reuse of elements 1-4. | |
| Indicative Rating | Issued during the show based on observations during build. Largely considers the stand build style and, ideally, information provided in the preshow survey. This is not an official certificate. | |
| Certification | An official, externally communicable rating of the stand or stand build system, endorsed by the Better Stands Framework and signed off by the Better Stands Secretariat and the Assessor. Issued before the event(Pre-Event Assessment) or after (Onsite-Assessment). Can be communicated publicly. Only Pre-Event Assessments may be communicated before and during the event. | Award |
| Right to Review | A period of time following an Assessment where an Exhibitor or Service Provider can query or challenge the Rating given by an Assessor. Usually 2-6 weeks following the event. Organisers are encouraged to give Service Providers an opportunity to review before sending ratings to Exhibitors. | Right to Respond, Right to Reply |
| Better Stands Platform | The online software platform that brings supporters and members together, simplifying and facilitating their collaboration and providing everyone with the necessary tools and resources. | |
| Organiser | The organisation responsible for planning and delivering the event, including implementing and promoting the Better Stands Programme and Framework. | |
| Service Provider | Any organisation involved in the design, construction, installation, or dismantling of a stand, responsible for delivering work in accordance with the Better Stands Programme. | Contractor, Stand Builder, Stand Designer |
| Assessor | An individual or organisation authorised to rate stands pre-event or on-site to determine performance within the Better Stands criteria. They are able to issue Better Stands Certificates using the Platform. | |
| Industry Partner | An organisation that collaborates with the Better Stands programme to provide products and services that actively promote reuse and recycling within the exhibitions and events sector. |
