Better Stands Wins UFI Sustainable Development Award for Carbon Reduction
Better Stands, the global programme working to reduce single-use exhibition stands, has won the 2026 UFI Sustainable Development Award. The announcement came on 22 September 2026. UFI named the initiative as winner under this year's theme, Best Carbon Reduction Initiative. For businesses that exhibit at trade shows or supply the exhibition sector, this award signals a material shift in how the industry measures and manages carbon impact.
Exhibitions generate significant waste. Stands are often built, used for a few days, then dismantled and sent to landfill. This cycle repeats at every event. Consequently, the sector faces growing pressure to cut embodied carbon and material waste. Better Stands offers a structured response. It provides a tiered framework that certifies stands based on how much can be reused after the event ends.
The award matters because it endorses a practical model that can be copied across the industry. UFI described the programme as an industry-wide collaborative framework tackling single-use stand construction. This is not a symbolic gesture. It reflects a broader expectation that exhibition sustainability will move from aspiration to operational standard. For UK businesses that exhibit regularly or manage events, understanding this shift is now commercially relevant.
How the Better Stands framework operates
Better Stands uses a 10-point checklist to assess exhibition stands. The framework awards certification at three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each level reflects the proportion of a stand that can be reused. Bronze indicates basic reusability. Silver requires a higher standard. Gold represents the most comprehensive reuse design.
The programme is hosted by Net Zero Carbon Events. It receives support from the International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services, known as IFES. Initially developed for specific sectors, Better Stands opened to the wider global events industry in June 2025. This expansion broadened its reach to organisers, venues, service providers and associations.
Adoption has grown quickly. More than 55 organisations now use the framework. It has been applied at over 400 events across 37 countries. To date, more than 50,000 stands have been assessed. These figures indicate that the model is gaining traction beyond early adopters. Therefore, businesses that exhibit should expect to encounter Better Stands requirements at major trade shows in the near future.
The framework addresses a specific problem: the carbon cost of temporary build cycles. Each time a stand is constructed from new materials, embodied carbon is created. When that stand is disposed of after a single use, the carbon investment is lost. Reusable stands reduce both waste and emissions. Moreover, they create a measurable benchmark for improvement.
Why UFI chose carbon reduction as the 2026 theme
UFI explicitly framed the 2026 Sustainable Development Award around carbon reduction. The organisation stated it wanted to recognise initiatives taking meaningful and measurable steps to reduce carbon emissions. This focus reflects a wider industry trend. Sustainability claims are now expected to be backed by data, not just intent.
UFI highlighted that the winning entry stood out for its collaborative approach. The framework does not rely on individual exhibitors acting alone. Instead, it creates a shared standard that organisers, contractors and exhibitors can all work to. This makes it easier for businesses to meet sustainability requirements without having to design their own systems from scratch.
The award also forms part of a broader effort by UFI to showcase practices that can be adapted across the exhibition sector. This includes operational efficiencies, materials management, logistics redesign and long-term infrastructure changes. In other words, UFI is promoting solutions that work at scale, not one-off projects.
Better Stands fits this agenda because it targets a major source of waste and emissions in exhibitions. Temporary stand construction accounts for a significant share of event-related carbon. By standardising reusable design, the programme addresses the problem at source. As a result, the award sends a clear signal about which approaches the industry values.
Practical consequences for UK exhibitors and suppliers
If you exhibit at trade shows, you may soon face requirements to use certified reusable stands. Organisers are increasingly adopting sustainability criteria for exhibitors. These criteria often include waste reduction, carbon reporting and material reuse. Better Stands provides a ready-made framework for demonstrating compliance. Consequently, businesses that design stands to meet Bronze, Silver or Gold standards will find it easier to meet organiser expectations.
For suppliers and contractors, the framework creates a competitive advantage. Stand builders who can certify their work under Better Stands will be better positioned to win contracts. Conversely, suppliers who continue to rely on single-use designs may find themselves excluded from tenders. This is particularly relevant for businesses supplying the public sector, where sustainability criteria are increasingly mandated.
There are cost implications too. Reusable stands require higher upfront investment. However, they reduce material costs over time because components are used repeatedly. This shifts the financial model from per-event expenditure to multi-event amortisation. For businesses that exhibit frequently, this can improve budget predictability and reduce total cost of ownership.
The framework also affects procurement decisions. If your organisation exhibits at multiple events, specifying Better Stands certification in your procurement process can simplify supplier management. It gives you a consistent standard to work to, rather than negotiating sustainability requirements on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, it provides clear evidence for carbon reporting and ESG disclosures.
Logistics and storage need to be considered. Reusable stands must be stored between events and transported efficiently. This requires warehouse space and coordination with logistics providers. However, the reduction in waste disposal costs and the potential for lower material spend over time can offset these operational costs. Notably, businesses with strong supply chain management can turn reusability into a financial and environmental win.
The award also raises the bar for businesses claiming to operate sustainably. If a globally recognised framework exists, clients and organisers will expect you to use it. Generic sustainability statements will carry less weight. Meanwhile, certification under an industry standard becomes a credible differentiator. This is especially important in sectors where environmental credentials influence purchasing decisions.
Five things businesses should understand about this development
- Better Stands won the 2026 UFI Sustainable Development Award on 22 September 2026 under the theme Best Carbon Reduction Initiative.
- The framework uses a 10-point checklist and three certification levels—Bronze, Silver and Gold—to measure stand reusability.
- More than 55 organisations have adopted the programme, applying it at over 400 events in 37 countries and assessing more than 50,000 stands.
- UFI explicitly recognised the initiative for its industry-wide collaborative framework tackling single-use stand construction.
- The award signals that exhibition sustainability is moving toward measurable, operational standards rather than isolated green pledges.
What this means for exhibition strategy and compliance
The UFI award elevates Better Stands from a voluntary programme to an industry benchmark. This matters for compliance. If your business must meet carbon reduction targets, using certified reusable stands provides measurable evidence of progress. It also aligns with broader ESG reporting requirements. Carbon footprint data from exhibitions can be included in annual sustainability disclosures.
For businesses tendering for public sector contracts, the framework supports compliance with PPN 06/21. This procurement policy note requires suppliers to demonstrate carbon reduction plans. Exhibition activity often forms part of a supplier's overall carbon footprint. Therefore, using Better Stands certification can strengthen tender responses by showing tangible action on emissions reduction. You can find guidance on meeting these requirements through our net-zero program for carbon reporting compliance.
The framework also helps with supply chain due diligence. If your organisation requires suppliers to meet sustainability standards, you can specify Better Stands certification in contracts with stand builders and event service providers. This makes it easier to cascade sustainability requirements through your supply chain. Furthermore, it reduces the administrative burden of assessing supplier credentials individually.
Businesses that exhibit internationally should note the programme's geographic reach. With adoption across 37 countries, Better Stands is becoming a de facto global standard. This means that sustainability expectations at trade shows in the UK, Europe, Asia and beyond are converging. Consequently, investing in reusable stand design now will pay dividends across multiple markets.
There is also a reputational dimension. Awards from recognised industry bodies carry weight. Being an early adopter of a UFI-endorsed framework positions your business as forward-thinking. Conversely, lagging behind as the industry adopts new standards can damage credibility. This is particularly true in sectors where sustainability is a core part of brand identity.
Training and capability matter too. Staff responsible for event management and procurement need to understand what Better Stands certification involves. This includes knowing which materials qualify as reusable, how to work with certified suppliers, and how to report on carbon savings. Developing this knowledge internally ensures your business can implement the framework effectively. Resources such as the SBS Academy training on carbon reporting can support internal capability building.
Finally, consider how this development fits into your wider sustainability strategy. Exhibitions are just one part of your carbon footprint. However, they are a visible and measurable part. Making progress on exhibition sustainability can build momentum for broader carbon reduction initiatives. It also demonstrates to clients, investors and regulators that your organisation takes environmental commitments seriously.
Where to find additional guidance and resources
Better Stands is hosted by Net Zero Carbon Events, which provides detailed guidance on the framework and certification process. The organisation's website includes the 10-point checklist, case studies and implementation resources.
UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, publishes regular updates on sustainability initiatives and industry standards. Visit the UFI website for information on sustainable development awards and sector-wide best practice.
The International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services (IFES) supports the Better Stands programme and offers resources for suppliers and contractors. Their official site includes guidance on sustainable stand construction and materials management.
For UK businesses needing support with carbon reporting and procurement compliance, our ESG compliance and carbon reporting services can help you integrate exhibition sustainability into broader environmental strategies. We work with SMEs to meet regulatory requirements, tender criteria and supply chain due diligence standards.
Understanding how reusable stand frameworks fit into your overall carbon reduction plan is essential. The shift toward operational sustainability standards in the exhibition sector reflects a wider trend across UK business. Consequently, businesses that adapt early will find it easier to meet evolving compliance and commercial expectations.