1. Modular stand building

One of the basic principles of a sustainable stand is modularity. Most of our stands are built with an aluminium skeleton. Like the blocks of a construction box, we combine walls, subfloors, ceiling elements, and frames that we can reuse for a new stand after each exhibition. With this modular building system, which lasts for years, we can build a thousands of designs, all while using the same components present in our warehouse. This way, we save on production materials and transport costs as well as reduce our waste production. For our stands with a wooden skeleton, we reuse the frames and structures as well. On top of that, the sturdiness of these components adds to the premium look of the stand.

2. Reusable decoration

Once the skeleton is built, we furnish the stand. We also regularly reuse cabinets, counters and bars, shelves, furniture, decoration, and other fixed elements. All these parts are catalogued as neutral elements in a database from which our clients can choose. Afterwards, we repair, repaint and customise them so they fit seamlessly into the stand concept and the client's branding.

3. Sustainable materials

Creaplan systematically chooses sustainable building materials.

• Painting is done with water-based paint, which is more environmentally friendly than solvent-based paint.
• Our wood is FSC-labeled and comes from responsibly managed forests.
• In addition, we choose sturdy and high-quality materials for each part of the stand. We not only do this because robust and high-end stands are our specialty, but also because these high-quality materials last longer. Less use of raw materials, less waste production, and a premium stand? Win-win-win.

4. Smart design choices

Sustainability is a constant value in the design phase. Our architects make designs which take into account the reusability of materials. For example, we present concepts that can be recycled for years, but still look new with every participation in a trade fair thanks to minimal adjustments in placement and finish. That is not only greener, but it is also more profitable for the client: you make the investment once, and get the return for several years.

In addition, we finish our stands in such a way that certain elements cannot only be reused in stands, but also in showrooms and offices. For example, our 3D logos aren't made of styrofoam or another material with a short lifespan, but from high-quality materials that last a long time. We also store all these elements in our warehouse. This way, the customer has a wide range of brand elements to choose from for each trade fair participation.

5. Integration of technology

Another way in which we limit the ecological impact of a stand is with extensive integration of innovative technology. For example, we provide numerous digital screens in the stand design for product demos or campaign images. This way, we avoid that posters with graphs, brand visuals with outdated logos, or event-specific prints end up in the bin afterwards.

Furthermore, we offer QR codes and NFC technology to digitally collect and forward as much data as possible. This technology not only eliminates the need for brochures or flyers at the stand, it also contributes to a smaller ecological footprint. If you know that Creaplan produces more than 200 stands per year, you can see how a small adjustment can have a big impact. An additional advantage is that these technologies immerse the customer even more in the world of your booth.

6. LED lighting

Sustainability is not only limited to the materials, but also includes the usage at the stand. That is why we have changed all our lighting for LEDs. This not only consumes less, but also extends the life of the lights. Bright or dimmed, in warm white or in color – we choose our lighting in a way that creates a high-quality appearance.

7. Green production

We also keep an eye on our own usage. For example, the roof of our offices and warehouse is covered with solar panels which, since they were installed in 2012, have saved about 2 million kg of CO₂. They produce about 280 MWh yearly. We can proudly say that, if the weather permits, 100% of our production runs on renewable energy.

8. Smartly devised transport

Lastly, we organise our transport as efficiently as possible. Our trucks are equipped with a fuel consumption monitor and we strive for a minimum of unnecessary kilometres. We do this thanks to our international partner network, which allows local parties to assemble stands abroad if possible. Moreover, we focus on the short chain by producing virtually everything in-house and purchasing from local suppliers whenever possible.

Ready for a more sustainable premium booth?

Creaplan guides you along the way. Get in touch for more information or get inspired by some of our creative references.

The prime office trend for the coming years: activity-based workspaces, designed with a strong focus on function. In this article, we tell you about these functions – the 3 Cs of office design – and how best to design your office according to this principle.

Collaboration: working together, in meeting and brainstorming rooms

Now that many employees have experienced the benefits of teleworking, a large proportion of them will want to continue doing so on a part-time basis. Not only to save commuting time, but also because many experience that working from home is more productive. Still, physical collaboration has its advantages, which even the best organised Zoom meeting cannot match. This is why we’re seeing an evolution in which the office is becoming the place where people consciously come together. To meet, to brainstorm or to start a new project together. This makes comfortable meeting rooms and well-equipped brainstorming rooms absolute must-haves.

The meeting room of the future is not dull and formal, but well equipped with atmospheric lighting, natural daylight, furnished with matching furniture and accessories and upholstered with acoustic materials. Audio-visual applications, such as a built-in screen with camera, microphone and speakers, are perfect for remote meetings with colleagues working from home or customers on a different location.

Another great addition to your office? Creative brainstorming rooms where employees can work together in a loose atmosphere. Comfortable seating such as armchairs and pouffes combined with projection screens and/or pinboards are the ideal setting to let ideas run free, away from a classic office environment.

If you plan to receive clients in your meeting rooms on a regular basis, it’s best to make sure that your branding and company values are clearly present. Quality furniture, wall-sized visuals and illuminated 3D logos tell your company story in the background.

If you want to be sure that your furnishings will still be useful in a few years' time, it’s a good idea to make your meeting rooms and brainstorming rooms modular. You can transform your meeting room into an after-work lounge by moving any folding tables aside, or divide a large meeting room in two by means of movable walls or an acoustic curtain. The possibilities are endless.

Concentration: focused working, in quiet rooms

We've known for some time now that classic landscape offices are not ideal for concentrated work, but because they offer many other advantages in terms of light, ventilation and budgetary reasons, it’s logical that many companies still utilize them. And that's not necessarily a problem, as long as you provide enough spaces for focus work.

For example, you can provide a few quiet rooms where employees can retreat for an undisturbed focus hour, a (remote) meeting or a telephone call. You can build in separate quiet rooms, but you can also work with mobile meeting boxes or telephone booths. They are compact and do not require any major construction work.

A focus room can be set up like a meeting room, although extra attention to acoustics (no disturbing noise) and a low-stimulus design (as few distractions as possible) is ideal here. Glass walls create an open feeling, whether or not finished with a frosted effect for some added privacy.

Creaplan also offers outdoor meeting boxes, so you can be closer to nature or simply transform superfluous space in your parking lot into extra work space.

Community: not working for a while, in relaxation areas

Well-being at work is played out even more in office design, with relaxation and the social aspect at the heart of it. It’s important to provide enough space where employees can relax together and recharge their social batteries, aside from their desks.

If you have plenty of room, you can provide a dedicated relaxation area where colleagues can talk, play, have a drink together or eat something in a relaxed atmosphere. From extensive sports and gaming infrastructure to fitness equipment or daybeds to rest, there are plenty of options to get creative with. These areas are often slightly different in style from the rest of the office, for a clear distinction between work space and relaxation area.

In addition, the cafeteria and dining areas increasingly function as the heart of the office. They can also be arranged in modular fashion so that they are suitable for events, team buildings and presentations. In terms of style, we see that these social areas are decorated in an extra cosy way, with a look and materials that often remind of a hotel lobby or a cosy restaurant.

If you have little space available, you can work with built-in coffee corners or compact kitchens.

Want to exchange ideas about your office layout?

As an expert in professional interiors, Creaplan is happy to think along with you about your next office update. With a few smart interventions, we can give your workspaces a new look, or we can completely overhaul the layout for a brand new end result. Get in touch for more information.

Rebranding in the picture for MOWI

Seafood company Marine Harvest recently changed their name to MOWI. At the world’s biggest trade fair for Seafood in Brussels, they launched their new name and brand new exhibition stand concept, designed by Creaplan. They asked us create a stand that revolves around their brand values: authenticity, pureness and caring for the planet and people.

Curious to see how we did? Read the full story of the MOWI stand at SEG Brussels!

Customer experience at its finest for Van Marcke

Van Marcke is a Belgian company specialising in warmth and water home appliances, offering anything for the bathroom, kitchen and more. At Batibouw, Belgium’s biggest construction and renovation trade fair, we put customer experience at the centre of the booth. Various interactive customer experience applications put Van Marcke's product range in the spotlight in a fun and exciting way.

Discover all the integrations we installed in the Van Marcke booth at Batibouw!

A stand that feels like home: Niko

Whatever it is you like to do at home, Niko offers home automation products that go along with it. The best way to demonstrate the numerous possibilities of the Niko products? Constructing a stand that feels like home, of course!

For this stand, Creaplan created a recognizable and cosy environment where Niko's products and technologies are shown to end consumers in realistic situations. No overload of products, but clear scenarios that let visitors experience how easy and simple home automation can be.

Check out the Niko stand at Batibouw for more inspiration.

Limited space, high impact at Euroshop

For our own booth at Euroshop 2020, we wanted to challenge ourselves to create a highly impactful stand with only a limited amount of space available. With lots of LED tiles, LED strips and a clever lay-out, we optimised the available space without making the whole seem overwhelming and created a true Sea of inspiration!

Want to see what Creaplan's very own exhibition stand at Euroshop looked like?

Creating space for Van Hool

Van Hool, independent manufacturer of buses, coaches, and industrial vehicles, wanted to exhibit its strength at Busworld Europe by presenting no fewer than 3 world premieres to the general public. To display these 3 brand new vehicles and 5 existing models, space was of the essence. They also asked us to provide a welcoming hospitality environment.

Curious to see how Creaplan tackled this challenge? Read all about the Van Hool booth at Busworld Europe on our references page.

Luxury and adventure for Jaguar Land Rover

For the Brussels Motor Show 2020, Jaguar Land Rover chose Creaplan as local partner. Plenty of challenges to tackle, as we had to display two separate brands in harmony on one stand, with both of them still retaining their own identity. We had to follow a very strict brand guide, with a strong focus on premiumness and a VIP feeling in every corner of the stand.

Wondering how we combined luxury, eye for detail and adventure in one stand? Discover all about the Jaguar Land Rover booth.

A stand that feels like an airport for ADB Safegate

Airport solutions expert ADB Safegate wanted a stand where experience is key, using digital applications to leave a lasting impression with visitors. They asked us to imitate an airport environment with a strong focus on different product areas on one hand, and room for hospitality on the other hand.

Visit our ADB Safegate stand reference page to find out what the end result looked like.

Plenty of space for brand visuals for Thule

Outdoor & transportation products expert Thule wanted a stand with a Swedish look and feel that displays as many products as possible spread out over the available space. We were asked to provide enough space for large LED walls because Thule has lots of beautiful brand movies that could be displayed on the stand. Our architects designed a stand constructed around a central staircase leading to a VIP floor.

Be inspired by this stand that effortlessly combines brand imagery and product presentation: Thule at Caravan Show 2019!

Technical products displayed in a non-technical way, for Niko

How do you present technical products in a non-technical way? By telling stories. Creaplan built a tunnel-like stand with a focus on both innovation and emotion. Because we never compromise on convenience and functionality, we provided beautifully finished handleless cupboards and a seating and presentation niche finished in the Niko Pure Dark Bamboo wood finishing, which not only looks but also smells nice. It's all about the details.

Want to see what more details we added? Take a look at our compact Niko stand for Interieur 2018!

Feeling inspired already?

Creaplan takes care of your stand from A to Z - from the creative brainstorm to international transport and installation. Feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to tell you all about the possibilities.

1. Come up with a good story

A stand concept, central theme or good story binds everything together. It appeals to hearts instead of heads. And that’s a good thing, because in a marketing context, emotion convinces twice as much as rational arguments and facts do. In addition, stands with a story linger longer in the visitors’ minds. Make sure your story is in line with your brand and your products - but thinking out-of-the-box might also work surprisingly well.

2. Consider a lead collection tool

Lead collection or lead generation tools help you collect data from stand visitors. This has two major advantages: first of all, such a tool automatically adds this data to your CRM database, so that your sales managers can start using it immediately afterwards.

At the same time, lead collection tools are excellent sources of information. And everybody knows that data is worth its weight in gold. Booth visitor numbers give you an idea of who visited your booth and when. Based on these freshly acquired insights, you can improve your stand for your next participation in order to get more results out of your investment.

3. Think of the customer experience

Exhibition booths allow you to provide information and show products. But so do websites. Where can you make a difference? With interactive applications and compelling experiences at the booth! Make sure your visitors can do more than just look around. At the Van Marcke stand at Batibouw 2020, for example, you could discover products by sliding a large screen back and forth, and on the booth of Jaguar - Land Rover at the Brussels Motor Show 2020 there was a climbing wall for the real daredevils! These experiences are often eye-catchers that lure more people to your booth.

4. Create a clever stand design

At an exhibition you are quite often surrounded by competitors – it would be wise to make sure your booth stands out! Whether it's with a unique story, a striking design or technological novelties, that's up to you.

But you don't just generate impact by attracting attention. Discuss the stand design thoroughly together with your stand builder. Is the visitor flow working? Is there enough storage space for your staff to keep the stand clean? How much room do you provide for hospitality? Tie all the loose ends together to form a strong unity.

5. Utilize your marketing tools

Comprehensive brochures or short flyers? The choice is yours. Start creating your booth content in time, and consider videos for screens, live sessions and interactive workshops. Gadgets are nice to have as well, so visitors can take something that bears your brand name home with them. Consider matching your marketing tools to the theme of your booth.

6. Go the extra mile

A classic booth doesn't work like it used to, and quick and dirty is completely out of date as well. Create impact by going the extra mile, on every level. Think of unique catering, original activities for visitors, a warm welcome by hospitality staff, ...

Don't forget the details. Choose furniture that suits your concept and decorate your stand with unique accessories. High-quality workmanship and sturdy materials are also important: your stand will look good until the end of the fair, and visitors will link this sense of quality to your company or brand.

7. Make sure you can rely on a partner

As you can see, there's a lot involved in preparing for a trade fair. A reliable partner who can relieve you of all your worries across the board is a huge help. Remember that you can perfectly outsource all of the above, from catering to concept to content creation. Choose a partner with impressive reference cases and a proven track record in various sectors. Tip: since a trade show is often an international event, it's a good idea to look at the international expertise of your partners.

Creaplan: expert in stand construction

Still on the lookout for a reliable partner for your next exhibition participation? With more than 25 years of experience, Creaplan is ready to take care of your next project, while guiding you from A to Z. Contact us for an introductory meeting without obligation, we would love to hear all about your trade show plans.