Greener exhibitions take centre stage as ExpoGuys leads the way
The company's holistic approach to environmental responsibility earns them top honours at this year’s AAXO Roar Awards.
ExpoGuys, a company in Aeroton, Johannesburg South, proudly announced that it received an excellence in sustainability certificate at the prestigious AAXO Roar Awards ceremony recently held at the Johannesburg Expo Centre.
Hosted by the Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO), this year’s awards celebrated the resilience and innovation shaping the future of the African exhibition industry.
Defining sustainability in the exhibition industry
In an era where sustainability has become a non-negotiable in business practices, ExpoGuys has taken a pioneering step in the exhibition industry by launching its sustainable stand grading system.
The initiative reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to reducing its environmental footprint while setting a new standard for sustainable practices in stand-building and event services.
The highlight of ExpoGuys’ sustainability efforts is its sustainable stand grading system., an innovative way to evaluate and communicate the environmental impact of exhibition stands.
Each stand is assessed across multiple criteria, including flooring, structure, lighting, branding, and furniture. Materials are graded based on sustainability, with the overall stand receiving a gold, silver, or platinum certification.
“This system not only raises awareness among people but also challenges our designers and sales staff to think sustainably throughout the design and build process,” expressed two senior designers, Pooja Patel and Lindsay Milazi.
“It’s not an exact science but a step in the right direction.”
Well-deserved recognition
ExpoGuys stood out as the only supplier to be recognised in the sustainability award category, underscoring its dedication and commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility.
The award specifically honours exhibitions and suppliers who effectively minimise environmental impact, advocate sustainable practices and positively influence the broader community and industry.
Commercial director Pat Cronning shared his pride upon receiving the award: “As a mass-producing exhibition supplier with a broad range of services, we are honoured to be recognised by the ROAR Awards to earn this recognition as a supplier in this category. ExpoGuys remains passionate about aligning our efforts with global sustainability standards—a commitment we increasingly see from corporate leaders across various industries.”
This award reinforces ExpoGuys’ ongoing sustainability efforts, including its pioneering Sustainable Stand Grading System, eco-friendly modular stand designs, and initiatives to achieve net-zero carbon objectives.
ExpoGuys is excited to continue leading by example and influencing positive change within the exhibition and events industry.
A continuous journey
While ExpoGuys acknowledges that they are not yet perfect, their relentless pursuit of sustainability sets them apart in the exhibition industry. From solar-powered operations to innovative grading systems, their efforts demonstrate that meaningful change is possible when every part of the value chain contributes.
“If lots of people do small things, the overall impact is far greater than a few people doing big things,” said Cronning.
With their sustainable stand grading system., ExpoGuys is leading by example and inspiring the industry to adopt greener practices, proving that sustainability is not just a goal – it’s a responsibility.
