Success factor Sustainability

Ecologically and economically sound

The success factor of sustainability is becoming increasingly important, even in the exhibition and event industry. Organisations, from small and medium-sized enterprises to large corporations, are continuously intensifying their sustainability efforts. In this context, ExpoCloud is a significant asset, as it allows you to plan, execute, analyse, and optimise events in a manner that is both ecologically and economically sustainable.

Genuinely ecological rather than "Greenwashing"

Unfortunately, traditional exhibition builders sometimes fall short on ecological sustainability and resort to the much-talked-about "greenwashing." For example, you might notice this when offered exhibition systems from the Far East in Europe. The ecological footprint is unnecessarily high due to global transportation, as all exhibition systems can also be manufactured in Europe – where, based on experience, the quality is typically higher.

With ExpoCloud, you can be assured that you are renting exhibition systems that are exclusively produced in Europe by leading manufacturers (e.g., Octanorm, Pixlip, and beMatrix). Ecological reasonableness, high quality, and process efficiency all in one.

Rent instead of buy

Renting exhibition stands rather than purchasing them is now standard practice in event management. This approach contributes to the success factor of sustainability in two significant ways, as it is both ecologically and economically sound! Firstly, renting is accounted for differently than buying, as purchasing exhibition stands results in fixed assets that need to be depreciated. This creates "dead capital." However, by renting each exhibition stand through ExpoCloud, you conserve your budgets and act more economically efficiently. There are no depreciation costs, so your entire budget is available for real live communication rather than being tied up in storage.

Secondly, regular renting saves several tonnes of CO2! Exhibition systems from ExpoCloud can be used up to 200 times, significantly reducing the manufacturing energy required for new stands. Since you rent only high-quality systems from leading manufacturers, you ensure the realisation of stable, aesthetically pleasing, and attention-grabbing exhibition stands – even for smaller events. Moreover, you stay "up to date," as any new innovations brought to market by manufacturers are integrated into the ExpoCloud logistics cycle.

Future-proof sustainability in event management – only with ExpoCloud.

Sustainable exhibition success with ISO 20121

Documentation is crucial, even when it comes to sustainability. The international standard ISO 20121 outlines "sustainable event management." Intensive preparations have been underway since 2023 to achieve this ISO certification within 2024. As of today (spring 2024), we anticipate receiving the certification in summer or autumn. Your ExpoCloud project managers will be happy to keep you informed about the progress.

ISO 20121 will mark another milestone in ExpoCloud's development and will further cement its status as a new standard in event management. It is evidence of "sustainable event management" and a testament to genuine commitment rather than "greenwashing."

Economically sustainable: With Event-Metrics and Analytics

In addition to a maximally environmentally friendly event process, which encompasses planning, execution, measurement, and optimisation, the comprehensive ExpoCloud ecosystem contributes to economic and financial sustainability in multiple ways: Your events become more efficient across the board, down to the finest detail.

The key to this progress is, of course, the underlying software, which includes the "Analytics" module and the Germany-developed technology "Event-Metrics." These technological-digital elements of your holistic ExpoCloud system enable you to uncover empirically valid data that would otherwise remain unnoticed. More knowledge for more possibilities.

The Analytics module

As soon as you break down your event resources into individual areas of activity, terms such as exhibition budget, rented exhibition systems, promotional material procurement, rental furniture, exhibition logistics, catering, setup and teardown, and success measurement will emerge. Everything is easy and straightforward to manage – within your ExpoCloud.

The Analytics software module helps you, among other things, to check the current status of your exhibition materials stored in the ExpoCloud logistics centre (Alsdorf near Aachen). The ecosystem is connected in real-time with inventory and all processes, so you always know your stock levels. Analytics is divided into the functional areas of "Reporting" and "Business Analytics."

Reporting: Automatic, practical, good

Once you have booked reports, pre-configured Excel summaries will be available to you, listing at the push of a button which processes, situations, or data pertain to which stand. For example, you can get a precise overview of your promotional material dispatch: if the "Minimum Inventory Level" is undershot, you will know that additional event stock needs to be ordered.

Business Analytics: Real-time answers to exhibition questions

With the "Analytics User" licence, you gain access to the "Analytics" module and its "Business Analytics" function area: This provides you with genuine "Business Intelligence" (BI) akin to what you would find in other BI tools, such as the well-known Google Analytics. ExpoCloud comes standard with Business Analytics. The software in your ecosystem answers core questions of everyday event management in a clear, reliable, and sustainable manner.

What budgets have been allocated to which ExpoCloud exhibition services?
What is the revenue distribution for promotional materials, shipping, and assembly services?
What is the turnover of ExpoCloud materials (assessment of item rotation)?
Which of your own inventory items have a low stock level (ordering)?

These are just a few practical questions you can answer in real-time, 365/24/7. Solid facts for intricate queries.

Event Metrics: Measuring visitor flows, demonstrating success

As someone frequently attending live events, you're familiar with the intuitive sense of success as an exhibitor. There are interpersonal successes that define the essence of live communication. No other marketing channel will ever match the personal 1:1 communication of what we know as trade shows, exhibitions, conferences, recruitment events, and so on.

In addition to interpersonal aspects, movement data is crucial for substantiating event success with valid facts. ExpoCloud acts as your personal "proof of feeling," providing evidence of your exhibition successes with measurement data – obtained using the Event Metrics technology, which can be added to your personal ExpoCloud with just one click.

Sensors provide insight

With Event Metrics, you can measure visitor flows, determine dwell times, identify the number of repeat visitors, and more. Big knowledge from big data. BI facts that are always at your fingertips, transforming gut feelings into certainties.

This is achieved by Event Metrics defining digital fingerprints from various factors – done in full compliance with GDPR. Sensors can be easily placed at any stand: they are very small and unobtrusive, as they can be positioned under tables, inside exhibits, or within booths. You receive precise additional information in an efficient manner – enabling continuous optimisation of your exhibition stands.