The answer is often just one: a huge amount of waste. This article explores the behind-the-scenes of a trade fair stand, from costs to materials, leading to a concrete proposal: mycelium exhibition stands, a circular and innovative solution that can drastically reduce environmental impact and increase a company's sustainable credibility.

What it means for a company to participate in a fair

Participating in a fair means investing in visibility, relationships, and business opportunities. For a person responsible for the company's presence at a fair, organization is a complex challenge. Among the main variables to consider:

The exhibition stand is not just a cost item: it is a tangible business card that communicates, consumes resources, and leaves traces.

Who designs exhibition stands?

Exhibition stand builders are professionals specialized in the design and construction of stands. They work on:

They often have to combine fast assembly, impactful aesthetics, and low costs. But rarely does the theme of sustainability become a structural part of the project brief, leading to temporary and difficult-to-recycle solutions.

How much does it cost to set up a stand at a fair?

Costs can range from a few thousand euros for pre-assembled solutions to five-figure sums for customized stands. But the true hidden cost is the environmental one:

There are LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) tools that allow for estimating the environmental impact of a stand, but they are rarely applied in the design phase.

What happens after the fair?

Once the fair is over, everything changes. Panels are dismantled, some parts reused, others destroyed. A significant percentage of temporary stands ends up as waste, especially during the setup and dismantling phases. Only then can they be sent for recovery. The Fiera Milano sustainability report for 2024 shows that on average, 7.2 kg of waste is produced per square meter of exhibition space, of which the undifferentiated fraction (unrecovered) is about 30%. The linear "produce-exhibit-discard" cycle is still dominant, especially for mixed or non-recyclable materials, even if intentions are positive. As stated in the 2024 Milan Fair report:

"Fiera Milano recognizes the crucial importance of the circular economy in the exhibition context and actively commits to promoting sustainable practices that reduce environmental impact, favor resource reuse, and encourage the adoption of responsible operating models. Stand design is based on the use of modular, easily dismountable, and reusable components, an approach that not only significantly reduces waste but also ensures greater efficiency in event setup."

Mycelium exhibition stands: the game-changing solution

So, if you're thinking it's time to do something different, you're thinking right. That's why, when it comes to exhibition stands that help turn the tide and reduce environmental impact, we talk about mycelium. Mycelium is the vegetative part of fungi, capable of growing on plant waste and transforming into solid, lightweight, and compostable structures. It is nature's ultimate recycler. We know this well, and therefore we propose a new generation of exhibition stands made from mycelium through a biofabrication process that combines sustainability, aesthetics, and effective communication.

Why choose mycelium for fairs and events?

Exhibition stands should not be synonymous with waste. There are materials and technologies that allow for creating engaging and environmentally friendly visual experiences. Mycelium is one of these: it is not just a sustainable solution, but a visible, tangible, and credible statement of intent. There are many reasons:

Choosing mycelium exhibition stands means bringing your vision to the fair, not just your products. A powerful message that speaks to those who look today and those who build tomorrow.