Better Stands by Net Zero Carbon Events has won the 2026 UFI Sustainable Development Award in the Best Carbon Reduction Initiative category.
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, presents the annual award to recognize sustainability efforts in the exhibition sector. This year’s award focused on carbon reduction.
Better Stands promotes reusable exhibit construction
Net Zero Carbon Events hosts Better Stands with support from IFES. The program aims to reduce single-use exhibition stand construction and encourage reusable building methods.
Better Stands provides a framework for measuring the reusability of exhibition stands. Stands can achieve Bronze, Silver or Gold Better Stands levels, recognizing exhibitors and contractors that use reusable build methods.
At its global launch in June 2025, Better Stands had been implemented at more than 400 events in more than 37 countries. During the program’s development phase, more than 50,000 stands were assessed under Better Stands criteria.
Better Stands was selected from a group of finalists that included Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, RX Global and Fiera Milano, and Singapore EXPO. UFI also recognized Bella Center Copenhagen, beMatrix, CORFERIAS, Koelnmesse, MCH Group and PETSHKA for best practices.
“This award is a huge moment for everyone involved in Better Stands,” said Ellen Osborne, chair of the Better Stands Steering Committee. “To receive this recognition just over a year after the global roll-out is incredibly encouraging.”
IFES supports program expansion
IFES serves as secretariat for Better Stands. The organization supports the program’s development through education, assessor training and efforts to increase participation in additional markets.
Better Stands plans to expand education, tools, training and participation during its second year. The program will also continue working to increase reusable exhibition stand construction and reduce its environmental impact.
The initiative has also continued developing assessor training while attracting more interest from venues and service providers.
“This is an exciting milestone, but it is also a call to keep going,” said Roger Lehner, Better Stands project manager. “The momentum is real. The benefits are visible. Now the opportunity is to scale this progress and make reuse a standard expectation across the global exhibition industry.”
Press release submitted by Better Stands. Edited by Exhibit City News for clarity, length and style.
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