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AttendExhibit

Better Stands

Exhibiting sustainably at Vitafoods Europe

Moving towards more reusable stands, together

The Better Stands Programme is an industry-wide initiative helping make exhibitions more responsible, with the support of leading international exhibition organisers. The programme is registered as part of the Net Zero Carbon Events (NZCE) initiative.

Today, 60+ organisations are implementing Better Stands across 400+ events worldwide. The programme offers a framework for assessing stand reusability and recognises exhibitors and their appointed contractors who choose reusable structures. Vitafoods Europe is proud to be part of this movement, supporting our community in taking practical steps towards more responsible exhibiting.

Vitafoods Europe Event

Sustainable design

Why Better Stands matters

  • <p>Moving beyond single-use stands&nbsp;</p>

    Moving beyond single-use stands 

    Single-use stands are often built on-site using materials that are difficult to reuse. Once an event ends, these structures may be dismantled and sent for landfill or incineration. In some regions, single-use stands account for more than 80% of total event waste. In addition, temporary structures and poorly managed materials can create additional risks for the teams building and dismantling stands.

  • <p>The solution: reusable stands</p>

    The solution: reusable stands

    Reusable stands are designed to have a life beyond a single event. Core elements can be dismantled, transported and used again, helping to reduce waste while supporting a safer and more efficient exhibiting experience.

    Designing with reuse in mind can also make stand construction and dismantle more predictable, while helping to minimise waste-related costs.

    When planning your stand, speak to your appointed contractor about how each element can be designed for reuse at future events.

What Better Stands means for exhibitors

Choosing a reusable stand can help you:

  • Reduce the waste generated by your stand 
  • Make build and dismantle smoother and more predictable 
  • Minimise unexpected waste and disposal costs 
  • Reduce stand design and construction costs over time 
  • Show your commitment to more sustainable exhibiting

Built for the future

Working together for Better Stands 

There’s no single solution to making exhibitions more sustainable. Progress depends on everyone playing their part – from organisers and contractors to exhibitors and suppliers.

To help measure that progress, the Better Stands Programme uses three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold. These provide clear benchmarks for the level of reuse incorporated into a stand.

At Fi Europe, Better Stands is becoming an increasingly important part of how we approach stand construction. Compliance is monitored throughout the event cycle, from stand plan submission through to on-site review and verification.

View the exhibitor procurement guide

Reusable:

  • Stand structure & walls
  • Platform
  • Furniture & equipment
  • Lighting

Reusable:

  • Stand structure & walls
  • Platform 
  • Furniture & equipment
  • Lighting
  • Fascia & overhead signage
  • Rigged structure
  • Ceiling
  • Display facilities

  • Stand structure & walls
  • Platfor
  • Furniture & equipment
  • Lighting
  • Fascia & overhead signage
  • Rigged structure
  • Ceiling
  • Display facilities


Reusable or recyclable:

  • Graphics & decorative items
  • Floor covering

The Numbers 

Our Better Stands Goal

At Vitafoods Europe, our goal is for all space-only stands to meet at least the Bronze standard.

We encourage every exhibitor to consider a reusable approach when planning their stand and to work with their appointed contractor to design a stand with future events in mind.

73
stands
Bronze
196
stands
Silver
128
stands
Gold

We’re also proud to have reduced the number of single-use stands per net sqm by 8% between 2025 and 2026.

And there’s more to celebrate: 33 exhibitors have achieved Gold status twice through the Better Stands Programme, with 24 of them maintaining their Gold status for 2026.

We’re proud to recognise the exhibitors who have achieved Gold status and continue to raise the bar for more sustainable exhibition practices.

What's in it for you?

Work with us

  • Better cost savings compared to disposable stands

  • Build to your design, simply meeting material regulations

  • Reduced waste and a safer, more efficient work environment

  • Promote your sustainability credentials as a brand

Join us in making events more sustainable 

Ready to make your next stand work harder for you – and for the future?

“In our journey towards driving sustainability, we’re working to create a better work environment for our exhibitors, contractors and staff while reducing waste and carbon emissions. Better Stands is an important step towards delivering a cleaner and greener event experience.”

Gareth Baguley

Brand Director, Vitafoods Europe

FAQs

Frequently asked questions from exhibitors and contractors

Disposable stands cause environmental, health and safety and wellbeing issues onsite at our events. Across Informa in 2019, disposable stands/booths equated to over 80% of our total waste generated at events. Proactively addressing this practice globally, at events like Vitafoods Europe is key to creating a more sustainable events industry.

Disposable stands cause environmental, health and safety and wellbeing issues onsite at our events. Across Informa in 2019, disposable stands/booths equated to over 80% of our total waste generated at events. Proactively addressing this practice globally, at events like Vitafoods Europe is key to creating a more sustainable events industry.

A non-disposable/reusable stand is constructed using materials designed to be used multiple times. 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. It could be:

•  Frame and fabric
•  Wood stock panels
•  Aluminium modular
•  Cardboard flat pack
•  Exhibitor owner OR rented
•  Plus many others!

These are already compliant with our sustainability measures. Better Stands is targeted at space only builds, which historically create the most waste.

Sustainability is increasingly important to the global nutraceuticals community. Vitafoods recognizes the importance of driving sustainability within our events and across the broader industry. We aim to make our event even more responsible and play a role in helping the nutraceutical and functional food market improve its sustainability by connecting people with the networks and knowledge they need to solve these challenges.

Please contact vitafoodscs@informa.com or get in touch directly with your account manager to discuss exhibiting more sustainably.