On The Way How you get to Vegas and what you bring all add up. 1. Fly smarter. Many flight search engines now display carbon emissions, so pick the lowest-impact option. Pro tip: Direct flights are usually greener because takeoff and landing are the most fuel-intensive parts of flying. 2. Pack light. Airlines burn more fuel when they carry more weight. Every unnecessary pair of shoes adds up, so consider traveling like a minimalist influencer. 3. Bring reusables. A refillable water bottle and a tote bag or two will keep you hydrated and ready without adding waste. Booth Materials & Strategy (For Exhibitors) Your booth is your stage. Make sure it reflects not just your brand but your values. 4. Choose smarter materials. Recycled, recyclable or reusable booth materials are the way to go. You’ll save money in the long run and avoid post-show disposal headaches. 5. Rent or buy locally. Freeman, the show’s general contractor, offers booth rentals, or you can source materials locally to reduce shipping costs. Shipping less also means fewer emissions and less stress. 6. Go local with staffing. Flying in a big team racks up costs and greenhouse gases. Use nearby reps when possible. 7. Cut the paper. Attendees don’t want to haul bags of brochures. Use QR codes for digital content. If you print, choose recycled or FSC-certified paper and a local printer. 8. Plan ahead. For exhibitors, rush shipping often means costly air freight, which produces up to 20 times more emissions than ground shipping. Build in extra time. 9. Consolidate containers. Whether you’re shipping booth crates or mailing samples, bigger consolidated shipments beat lots of small ones. 10. Skip single-use packaging. Styrofoam may protect your product, but it will also outlive us all and doesn’t just go away – it becomes microplastic that ends up in living tissue. Yuck. Reusable or recyclable options are better for everyone. On-site Choices (For Everyone) Once you’re at the show, every small action counts. 11. Power wisely. If you’re plugging in lights or screens at your booth, go with EnergyStar-rated equipment. Efficient doesn’t have to mean dim. 12. Donate lanyards. Both attendees and exhibitors can drop lanyards in bins around the floor so they can be reused. 13. Use water refill stations. Hydrate with your reusable water bottle at the many free water stations available on the show floor. 14. Ship smarter. If you’re an exhibitor using FedEx onsite, maximize package space and consolidate shipping. Attendees sending product samples home? Do the same. Fewer boxes means fewer emissions. 15. Recycle leftovers. Mandalay Bay’s Recycling Manager can help exhibitors with leftover materials, and attendees can recycle unwanted handouts. Around Town (For Everyone) Vegas may be known for excess, but you can still make low-impact choices while you’re there. Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate! At The PPAI Expo 2025, a potential 8,958 plastic water bottles were saved through refill stations on the show floor. Did You Know? Since 2023, The PPAI Expo has been certified as a zero-waste event. In 2025, 91% of potential waste was diverted from landfills. PPAI • NOVEMBER 2025 • 27 Responsibility | Voices Solid vector icons / Shutterstock.com
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