As part of its commitment to facilitating cross-sector collaboration for change, isla has announced that it is providing secretariat support to the Better Stands programme.

Better Stands brings together eleven exhibition organisers with the aim of reducing single-use disposable stands at exhibitions in favour of reusable structures.

isla will collaborate with participants to ensure the success of the pilot – which ends in March 2024 – and identify the key requirements for an optimised rollout of the Better Stands programme.

Megan Harris, Learning & Action Group Manager, isla and project lead said: “With the launch of the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s (SMI) Circularity Task Force at COP28, and the recent introduction of legislation such as the ban on single-use plastics in England, there has never been a better time to focus on the reducing the impact of event build on our changing planet.

“I’m delighted that isla is supporting the work of Better Stands to help meet this important goal.”

Amp Events, Clarion Events, Faversham House, Hyve, IMEX, Informa, Montgomery Group, Raccoon Media Group, Reset Connect, ReThink HK and Terrapin will each choose one or more venues in their portfolio to apply the Better Stands Framework.

The Framework ladders up from Bronze, Silver or Gold Better Stands status using classification criteria which assesses how much of a stand/ or booth is reused or recycled.

Sharon Roessen, COO, at global events company and isla member Terrapinn, added: “We’re excited to join the Better Stands pilot, championing a new industry standard. This initiative provides guidance for exhibitors and contractors to create sustainable and safe stands without compromising cost or aesthetics. Our aim is to showcase that sustainability can be seamlessly integrated into stand design and construction.”

Last month representatives from Better Stands took to the stage at the inaugural Event Sustainability Live for a panel discussion providing an overview of the programme and sharing their vision for this remarkable collaboration and its potential to set new standards in the exhibition world. Watch it on-demand here.

To find out more about Better Stands, visit www.betterstands.info.