Holding the most environmentally responsible convention possible requires the cooperation of all a show manager's constituents: attendees, exhibitors, the facility, and suppliers … including your general services contractor.

According to Karen Pogatch, CEM, national sales manager, Champion Nationwide Contractor, planners should look specifically for general services contractors who can effectively work with them on three key areas:

•  Recycling - make sure the contractor has a recycling program in place or is willing to work with you and the facility at the close of the show. "Exhibitions leave behind a great deal of waste," Pogatch said. The contractor and facility can work together to recycle as much of the materials that normally end up in landfills as possible, but Pogatch stressed that show organizers need to get their exhibitors on board as well. "Encourage them to break down cardboard boxes for recycling along with paper trash, brochures, and flyers," she said.
• Carpeting - it's important to ask your decorator to provide post-consumer content carpeting. Pogatch said the acceptable standard is between 8 percent to 10 percent and can go up to 25 percent post-consumer content. The carpet padding can be 95 percent to 100 percent post-consumer content. "Recycled carpeting should not cost any more than non-recycled carpet," Pogatch said.

Also, check to make sure environmentally friendly products are used to clean the carpet between uses. "We reuse our carpets a number of times," Pogatch said. After the final use, instead of the carpet ending up in a landfill, Champion works with companies that pick it up and recycle the carpeting into different products, such as sewage and drainage pipes.

Finally, Pogatch recommends that when show managers think carpet, they think conservatively. Consider areas on the show floor that may not need carpeting, such as a café area.

• Signage and graphics - ask your decorator if they can print directly onto recycled material such as cardboard substrates. "Champion has new printing machines that allow printing directly onto recycled materials, which eliminates the need to use petroleum-based products such as foam board, laminates, and adhesive materials. Not all printers can do that," Pogatch said. Planners should not expect to be charged extra for using cardboard substrate signage, although some green signage initiatives may cost more, such as if you want to print banners on organic material, she said.

Ask your contractor if the signs will be recycled. For example, Champion uses old signs for packing material.

"We're seeing more and more groups who expect their contractors to support their green initiatives," Pogatch said. "The American Institute of Architects is one organization that is really strong on doing all they can to provide a green environment at its show."

Pogatch has seen more facilities taking steps to help make events green. "I've seen more catering initiatives, such as cornstarch-based utensils, and more prevalent recycling stations throughout venues," she said.

Pogatch believes sustainability is becoming more of a way of life than a passing trend. "Everywhere you look, you see the push to be green. It's not just in the meetings environment and it shouldn't just be about the show. People need to be more aware of their impact on the environment all the time, at work and at home."

Michelle Russell is Convene's editor. Working with a General Services Contractor is sponsored by Champion Nationwide Contractor, www.champion-nationwide.com.