What’s the Difference Between a Fad and a Conclusion?

Many of us wondered about the future of trade fairs after the severe lack of interest after the pandemic and the declining trend.

There is no disease more difficult to cure than habit, and the test that brought the most important international trade fairs to a sudden halt has brought to light the weaknesses that many of us suspected and few of us, accustomed to making the pilgrimage year after year to these ego-events, have begun to think about – even more seriously than before.

What is the ecological sustainability of creating stands, fictitious worlds of the wild west, for just a few days of event?

How can we boast about the sustainability of our products in such an environmentally unfriendly model?

How can we, who know the importance of the face-to-face meetings and the “kick the tires”, but then transport merchandise to around the world for such a few days, not think about its impact?  

Can we challenge important trade show organizers to face and help with the problem?  Can we challenge convention centers to come up with solutions to the future of our planet beyond selling space?  Can we challenge ourselves to make a stand to recycle “the stand”?

Dezeen agrees: "No hiding" from environmental impact of trade fairs say designers at Salone del Mobile.

In an increasingly digital world, I believe that only companies that know how to get closer to the person will manage to be relevant, so let´s bet on models that connect us physically and emotionally again, but not at any price.

Let's verbalize our complaint and look for sustainable solutions for our Fairs but please, let's not repeat the same mistakes in what may become an obsolete model like this one.

Guest blog by:

Victor Carrasco
Founder, Viccarbe