Better Stands by Net Zero Carbon Events (NZCE) marked its first year with more than 70 members using the program across Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
NZCE hosts the program, with support from UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, and the International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services (IFES). Better Stands launched during UFI European Events Week in Thessaloniki, Greece, and aims to help the exhibitions industry reduce single-use stand construction through more reusable, efficient, and responsible build practices.
From awareness to adoption
Better Stands gives teams across the stand delivery process a shared framework for reviewing reusability and identifying practical improvements. A steering committee guides the program, with working groups representing several parts of the exhibitions industry.
The framework gives teams a practical starting point. When a stand does not meet the program’s reusability criteria, organizers, exhibitors, contractors, and venues can use the review process to identify what needs to improve before the next build.
That shared approach also gives teams clearer ways to discuss planning, procurement, site safety, exhibitor experience, material use, and measurable improvement. It can also help them plan earlier, make clearer build decisions, and work more consistently across the stand delivery process.
Several early participants have started to report progress after multiple event cycles. ReThink Hong Kong, one of the first organizers to pilot Better Stands, increased the share of raw-space stands reaching Gold from 43 percent in 2024 to 60 percent in 2025. According to the program, that change helped reduce waste and logistics needs for the event.
Informa Markets LATAM, the company’s Latin America division, also introduced Better Stands certificates for exhibitors that chose reusable stand options. According to the program, the certificates helped increase exhibitor interest and supported growth in the number of reusable stands built at those events.
Assessor training adds consistency
Better Stands has also expanded its assessor training program, now in its second round. The training helps current and future assessors complete consistent pre-event and onsite reviews using the <a href=”https://betterstands.org/better-stands-framework/”>Better Stands Framework 10-point plan</a>, which rates each stand’s reusability as single use, bronze, silver, or gold.
As more service providers use the framework, assessor training helps protect consistency across markets. It also gives assessors a common approach for applying the program’s standards before and during events.
The program enters its second year with plans to expand education, practical tools, training, participation, and resources. Better Stands also plans to support greater supply chain access to reusable stand options.
The program’s first year points to a wider industry shift. More organizers, exhibitors, and service providers are looking for practical ways to make stand delivery less wasteful and more consistent. Better Stands gives them a shared system to start that work.
Better Stands by Net Zero Carbon Events (NZCE) is an industry program focused on helping the exhibitions sector move toward reusable stand construction and more responsible event build practices. For more info, visit www.betterstands.org.
Press release submitted by IFES. Edited by Exhibit City News for clarity, length and style.
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