With the current state of the world, it would be easy to feel discouraged, fall into panic, or simply resign. But perhaps the real challenge is not the obstacles themselves, but the distractions they create. As 19th-century writer Gustav Wolff once said: "Interactions shape life; the world is destined for cycles." Every step we take, every decision we make has an impact—and the ripple effects drive us all forward. Isn't now the perfect moment to pause, refocus on what truly matters, and not just react, but take deliberate action? You may have already guessed: this is exactly the path we are on. Sustainability is not a topic for better times and the pressure to act is great, even in the trade fair industry. Change often still gets stuck - between good intentions and short-term constraints, between ambitious goals and the question of practical implementation. And all too often, exhibition stands, advertising materials and floor coverings are still associated with immense environmental impacts, particularly in terms of waste and emissions. Sustainability as the Key to Resilience

Sustainability is not something to be postponed until better times—it is a critical priority, even in the trade fair industry. Yet too often, progress gets stuck—somewhere between good intentions and short-term constraints, between ambitious goals and the challenge of practical implementation. Exhibition stands, promotional materials, and flooring still contribute to significant environmental impacts, particularly in terms of waste and emissions.

KRIDEM: Pioneering the Circular Economy in the Trade Fair Industry

This is where the new "Circular Economy in the Trade Fair Industry (KRIDEM)" project comes in. "Circular economy in the trade fair industry

Funded by the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU), this initiative brings together key industry partners, including AUMA – the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry, the CSR agency 2bdifferent, and exhibition builder imb troschke. As a project partner, we are working alongside researchers from Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, who aim to shift the industry away from linear thinking towards a circular economy—highlighting interconnections that go beyond just materials.

The project focuses on analyzing the relationships between water, energy, and raw materials to identify opportunities for reducing waste and inefficiencies. There are still many open questions—such as how to effectively measure resource efficiency and environmental impact or how research findings can be translated into new business models and practical solutions.

"The advantage of the trade fair industry is that we can demonstrate the potential of the circular economy in a highly tangible way—through something as specific as an exhibition stand," explains Kim Werner, Professor of Business Administration with a focus on Event Management. She emphasizes the importance of involving all key stakeholders—including you.

Are you ready to be part of this transformation?