A showcase of the 2026 EXSA Best Green Stand Award winners
EXSA, the Exhibition and Events Association of Southern Africa, hosted its annual awards ceremony on 21 January 2026, where the growing Best Green Stand Awards category highlighted how environmental responsibility is becoming embedded in stand design and build — not as an add-on, but as a strategic priority.
This year, nine exhibition stands were recognised across three size categories — small, medium and large — with gold, silver and bronze awards presented in each. We’re proud to share that of the nine award-winning stands, eight were created by EGF members!
Read on to discover what set these award-winning stands apart, and how they demonstrate more sustainable alternatives to traditional exhibition stand construction and design.
Best Green Stand Awards: Small category
GOLD: HOTT3D
Client: Nedbank CIB
Client brief
HOTT3D have developed a good understanding of this Nedbank unit’s CI and marketing strategy, so they readily know what to do for them: understated, yet professional, corporate and elegant would best describe their booths.
Additionally, Nedbank is very focused on financing of sustainability projects, so having a sustainable booth approach makes perfect sense.
Sustainable exhibition booth features:
- Structure: Sustainably farmed timber/ plywood. These elements are reused and or reconfigured in future Nedbank booths.
Steel work. Custom-fabricated and reused on future designs.
The fabricated LED logo is retained for use on future stands. - Flooring: Stock substructure. Stock stainless steel ramped edging. The surface is novilon, which is reused on future booths.
- Graphics: Fabric prints, if not kept for clients, we use as dust covers or upcycle them into bags to store furniture in (instead of bubble wraps and other plastic packaging… a new internal project). If we have excess banners, then banners are either sent to commercial upcyclers such as OTC Circular or NGO’s such as Angels inc.
- Furniture: Ex HOTT3D stock and/or hired in, while the counter is constructed using Octanorm and then clad in XBoard. The XBoard is reused or, at end-of-life, sent back to recycling via our in-house recycling systems.
- Decor: Plants are hired in per show.
- Lighting: Either stock or purchased and then redesigned into future Nedbank stands.
- Giveaways: Popcorn with branded cardboard boxes.
Nedbank generally don’t do printed brochures nor SWAG.
What was the biggest sustainability challenge you faced when designing this stand, and how did you solve it?
MD Liam Beattie says; “The biggest challenge is trying to design in such a way that the manufactured items can be reused on future shows. This booth is a custom stand, but needs to be designed and manufactured with modularity in mind. Most of the time it’s not known what size and what configurations future booths will be, so that’s a real challenge. However, we can modify existing structures as needed to use, and add or take out, etc.
“These stand components are now being almost entirely reused on LMA 2026 as well as GTR 2026. This approach leads to a substantial cost saving for the client as well as continuity of the design style across divisions.
“In addition, this design is being remanufactured in Nairobi for a show there, ensuring brand continuity. By manufacturing there, a significant carbon emission is saved by not having to ship goods to and from Kenya.
Designing sustainably is not a perfect system. But we do learn as we go and adjust our approach accordingly.”
SILVER: SI Digital
Client: CeraVe
Client brief
Design a simple split stand showing two product distinct ranges that encourages visitor interaction, while reinforcing a clinical, dermatologist-recommended feel.
Sustainable exhibition booth features:
Material: The stand is constructed out of Xanita board, an engineered fibre-based board that has many sustainable benefits:
- Locally manufactured.
- Forest Stewardship Council certified (FSC-certified) and toxin-free.
- Made from recycled materials, and certified compostable at end-of-life: Xanita has undergone a full life cycle analysis and has full cradle-to-grave characteristics.
- Sturdy and reusable, and easy to rebrand.
- Modular design enables quick set-ups and easy disassembly.
- Low impact logistics due to lightweight nature of Xanita board, and ability to flat pack when dismantled. (This also makes it an easy-to-store solution.)
What was the biggest sustainability challenge you faced when designing this stand, and how did you solve it?
SI Digital shares, “In high-end exhibition design, the challenge is balancing bespoke luxury with genuine sustainability. For this project, we moved beyond ‘marginally green’ solutions to deliver a booth that is undeniably sustainable without compromising visual impact.
“The foundation of the design is a certified Cradle to Cradle material. Backed by a full Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), it outperforms MDF and plywood by being toxin-free, fully compostable, and significantly lighter—effectively halving logistics costs.
“The result is a compact, high-impact booth that proves professional excellence and environmental integrity can coexist, delivering an exceptional ROI and a design that excels on every level.”
BRONZE: Scan Display
Client: Scan Display
Client brief
Scan Display wanted a compact high-impact solution for a small space (3m x 3m) that could be reused at Meetings Africa every year. As the company does a lot of work at Meetings Africa and has limited resources at this time, it wanted its own stand to be easy to transport and assemble on site, minimising labour requirements.
Sustainable exhibition booth features:
- Structure: Scan Display’s portable modular reusable Fabric Pop-up Stand was used, and has been used for Scan Display at every Meetings Africa show since 2018.
- Graphics: Fabric graphics are lightweight and easily stored at Scan Display’s Johannesburg warehouse. They are washed and reused at each show.
- Furniture: The counter with its high impact fabric graphics has been reused.
- Lighting: The fabric graphics are backlit with eco-friendly LED curtain lighting.
What was the biggest sustainability challenge you faced when designing this stand, and how did you solve it?
While Scan Display takes a small (3m x3m) stand at Meetings Africa each year, the show’s floorplan changes and Scan Display is allocated a different space each year, shares the company MD Justin Hawes. This means that reuse of the stand is a potential challenge. However, the modular nature of the Fabric Pop-up Stand enabled reconfiguration for each show.
Best Green Stand Awards: Medium category
GOLD: SI Digital
Client: Johnson & Johnson
Client brief
A flexible, future-proof exhibition solution that allows Johnson & Johnson to maximise ROI by using one stand across multiple event formats while maintaining a consistent and premium brand presence.
Sustainable exhibition booth features:
- Structure: Modular wall system can be rotated and repositioned, and as a result can easily adapt between a left-corner, right-corner or inline configuration without requiring a complete redesign or reprint. When disassembled it is compact for convenient storage.
- Graphics: Interchangeable modular panels and graphics allow for flexible positioning and easy reconfiguration, so that key brand elements can remain visible and balanced in all configurations.
- Furniture: The reception counter can also be re-used, as it can shift position based on layouts.
- Material: Durable materials — including Xanita eco-board and Perspex — were chosen as they are suitable for repeated use. Xanita is also lightweight and packs flat, making it a low-carbon option for repeated transportation – see the CeraVe stand for more details on Xanita board.
What was the biggest sustainability challenge you faced when designing this stand, and how did you solve it?
“Sustainable design often carries the misconception of compromise—that environmental integrity requires a sacrifice in stand quality or functionality. This booth proves otherwise, demonstrating that premium aesthetics and high-performance communication can coexist with the planet’s needs,” shares the team at SI Digital.
“Our foundation material – Xanita board – specifically addresses one of the most persistent hurdles in sustainable stand design: acoustics. Unlike common fabric-backed alternatives that suffer from sound spillage, our material provides superior acoustic insulation. Even within an open, convex layout, we achieved a quiet, intimate environment that ensures clear, uninterrupted visitor-staff conversations.
“While terms like ‘repurposing’ and ‘reuse’ are now industry standard, few designs can withstand the rigorous assessment required for international certification. Our processes and materials aren’t just vetted; they are engineered to uphold the highest global standards.
“Our booth designs align with ISO 20121, ensuring sustainable event management through certified materials, reduced waste, and superior environmental performance.”
SILVER: Scan Display
Client: Okapi
Client brief
The client wanted an exhibition stand that made a strong impact, required minimal effort for transportation and set up, and which could be reused at future shows.
Sustainable exhibition booth features:
- Structure: Scan Display’s portable and reusable modular Fabric Pop-up Stand was used.
The Fabric Pop-up Stand is easy to assemble, minimising on-site labour and thus the associated transport. - Graphics: The stand’s fabric graphics are easy to transport and store, and are washable and reusable.
- Furniture: Custom cabinets were designed for reuse at Okapi’s showroom post-event.
What was the biggest sustainability challenge you faced when designing this stand, and how did you solve it?
There were no big challenges to overcome, as the reusable portable Fabric Pop-up Stand is a solution Scan Display has been offering and successfully using for many years now.
BRONZE: Garona Communications
Client: Machaba Safaris
Client brief
Having worked with this client for several years, Garona Communications understands their needs well and creates exhibition stands that retain a consistent look and feel, while capturing the unique spirit of their camps.
Sustainable exhibition booth features:
- Structure: Reuse was prioritised wherever possible. Many of the stand materials and structural elements are used multiple times to reduce the need for remanufacturing.
- Flooring: Garona reuses their flooring a minimum of five times before donating it to local communities for further use.
- Graphics: Eco-solvent printed vinyl was chosen for the stand graphics, which is a more environmentally responsible printing option.
- Lighting, decor, and furniture: These were all sourced from local suppliers to support the local economy and reduce transport-related emissions.
What was the biggest sustainability challenge you faced when designing this stand, and how did you solve it?
MD Presley Mokotedi says, “At Machaba Safaris, they believe in the power of education and skill development to uplift communities and promote sustainable tourism. To support this vision, we strive to lead by example by embracing sustainability ourselves.”
Best Green Stand Awards: Large category
GOLD: ExpoGuys
Client: ANEW Hotels and Resorts
Client brief
The client initially approached ExpoGuys with a brief for an exhibition stand that would maximise their floor space. They required ample storage, plenty of seating, and a coffee station, while sustainability is a key focus for their company.
Sustainable exhibition booth features:
- Structure: The ANEW stand’s core structure (the maxima system and the double-storey structure) was existing stock and has multiple reuses. By designing with reusable system and stock items, ExpoGuys cuts their waste, extends the life of materials, and creates stands that are not just striking but environmentally responsible too. Additionally, the stand is modular, so to be easily adaptable in future rebuilds.
- Flooring: The material choice can be reused and modified into new furniture pieces.
- Graphics: Fabric prints were used and later upcycled into bags and furniture covers.
- Transportation: Transportation of the stand was well coordinated, so as to minimize the carbon footprint.
What was the biggest sustainability challenge you faced when designing this stand, and how did you solve it?
“Firstly, let me begin by mentioning what an enjoyable process it was to design the Anew Stand, which perfectly embodied the balance between sustainability and functionality,” says the stand designer, Lindsay Milazi.
She admits there weren’t significant obstacles when designing the stand; “During my design process, I realized that the sustainable element of the stand had to pull more from the materials rather than creativity. Considering all these factors made for a seamless process with no real sustainability challenges during my design process.”
SILVER: Scan Display
Client: Sarah Baartman Municipality
Client brief
The client wanted a cost-effective reusable stand that could be adapted to different shows and exhibition spaces.
Sustainable exhibition booth features:
- Structure: A modular aluminium structure has been used, allowing for reuse 23 times over 14 years.
- Flooring: Recycled modular flooring has been used.
- Graphics: The fabric graphics have only been replaced twice during this time, and retired graphics have been repurposed as décor in the Sarah Baartman municipality offices.
- Furniture: Locally sourced furniture and rental counters have minimised the stand’s carbon footprint and supported local businesses.
What was the biggest sustainability challenge you faced when designing this stand, and how did you solve it?
Designing graphics that can be re-used year after year can be challenging, says MD Justin Hawes, but by using a lot of imagery and limiting the copy this objective was achieved.
BRONZE: Scan Display
Client: Rwanda Convention Bureau
Client brief
The client needed a stand that could be reused. It required a stand that demonstrated its commitment to sustainable, environmentally responsible exhibition practices.
Sustainable exhibition booth features:
- Structure: Modular units were designed to be reused for different exhibition spaces.
The natural-wood dome’s elements are carefully dismantled and locally stored and reassembled each year with minimal refurbishment. - Graphics: The rigging and overhead banner is stored and reused each year.
Outdated graphics were repurposed at the client’s offices. - Decor: Rented (reusable) indigenous plants are used.
- Lighting: Energy-efficient lighting is used.
- Giveaways: Printed brochures have been replaced with digital communication.
What was the biggest sustainability challenge you faced when designing this stand, and how did you solve it?
MD Justin Hawes says, “It was challenging to design the wooden dome structure so that it could be reused. It had the potential to be difficult to dismantle and rebuild, but the design allowed for pieces to fit together like a puzzle, making it easier to reuse.”
Congratulations to all the EXSA Best Green Stand Award winners for advancing sustainable exhibition stand design in South Africa. Your work demonstrates that environmental responsibility and creative excellence can go hand in hand.
If you’d like to explore how to embed sustainability into your own stand design and build processes, watch our Beyond the Booth webinar on designing sustainable expo stands here: youtube.com/@eventgreeningforum.
Together, we can continue driving measurable, practical progress across the exhibition industry.