A milestone for the global events industry: the Better Stands framework is now available worldwide. What began as an initiative by Informa has evolved into a global program hosted by Net Zero Carbon Events (NZCE) and supported by the International Federation of Exhibition & Event Services (IFES).
The mission is clear: to accelerate the shift from single-use to reusable exhibition booths – enabling greater efficiency, cost savings, and above all, improved sustainability across the industry.
One Standard for Global Sustainability
Better Stands introduces a unified classification system to measure the reusability and recyclability of exhibition booths. Stands are awarded Bronze, Silver, or Gold status, based on how much of the structure can be reused after the event. This transparency encourages both exhibitors and contractors to work more sustainably.
Certification is granted either through a pre-assessment process or on-site evaluation by trained assessors. So far, more than 50,000 booths have been evaluated using this framework.
From Concept to Global Rollout
Originally developed by Informa and piloted with organizers in 2023, Better Stands expanded in 2024 to include contractors, auditors, and other stakeholders. The framework has already been successfully implemented at over 400 events in 37 countries.
A steering committee made up of 13 leading organizations – including event organizers, venue operators, stand builders, exhibitors, and associations – ensures balanced development and application of the program.
What Industry Leaders Are Saying
James Rees, President of the Joint Meetings Industry Council, which hosts Net Zero Carbon Events on behalf of the conference, exhibitions and events industries worldwide, said: “The Better Stands Steering Committee deserve tremendous praise and great appreciation from the industry worldwide for pioneering this initiative and developing it so successfully in a very short time.
“The pilot period of Better Stands has rapidly demonstrated that it is has enormous potential to make a major contribution to the industry’s drive to reduce its carbon emissions substantially. Through Net Zero Carbon Events we will ensure that many more exhibition organisers, stand and service contractors, exhibitors and venues understand the benefits it can bring and embrace it.”
IFES President, JörgZeissig commented
“IFES is in the role of being responsible for the execution and further development of Better Stands with a balanced and united Group of Industry leaders forming a Steering Committee. We are proud of the Better Stands initiative that gives us the opportunity to unite the industry by providing easy solutions for an ecosystem that drives innovation and value adds to all stakeholders in the event and exhibition industry by pushing reusable resources at all events globally. The beauty of Better Stands within the NZCE is the neutral ground, ease of usability, open source and the potential to become a global standard to compare apples to apples,”
Chris Skeith OBE, CEO & Managing Director of UFI – The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry said
“Better Stands fosters collaboration among organisers, venues, contractors, and exhibitors to drive sustainability and set a new standard for future-ready exhibitions. Under the Net Zero Carbon Events initiative, this shift towards reusable stands also boosts creativity, cost-efficiency, and smarter resource use across the industry. UFI is proud to support this important initiative and looks forward to continuing to do so.”
Ben Wielgus, Head of Sustainability at Informa commented:
“Better Stands has already worked at hundreds of events worldwide. The Framework, created over several years and tested in more than 30 countries, offers straightforward approaches to understanding the reusability of the elements of exhibition stands and celebration for those exhibitors and service providers who already meet future customer demands. We’re really excited for this next stage of its growth, leveraging NZCE’s global scale to increase the efficiency, sustainability and commerciality of events of all shapes and sizes. This is an invitation to the whole industry – join us, explore the opportunities the programme creates and help grow Better Stands as the international standard.”
Natalie Wing, Commercial Director, GES EMEA commented
“At GES, we look after the infrastructure of some of the biggest events in the industry. We're constantly looking at ways we can reduce our impact, use and re-use resources, and be smarter with environmental design; it's central to our own Net Zero commitment."
An Invitation to the Industry
Better Stands is an open framework and a call to action for the entire exhibitions and events ecosystem. By combining sustainability with practical implementation, the initiative brings together exhibitors, service providers, and organizers – globally and effectively.
Who's Behind It
Organizations involved in shaping Better Stands include: AMP Events, Clarion Events, Faversham House, Hyve, IMEX, Informa, Montgomery Group, Raccoon Media Group, Reset Connect, Rethink, Terrapinn, isla, as well as key associations like UFI, IFES, Abraxas, and many others.
You can find more information about Better Stands on this website: