Leading the Way in Sustainable Flooring: Key Insights from ABPCO’s Roundtable on Carpet Solutions for Conferences and Exhibitions
13 May 2025
In a drive to accelerate sustainability in event planning, the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) hosted an online ‘roundtable discussion’ earlier this month which looked to focus on the often contentious and confused approach to event flooring, pros and cons.
Event flooring is a metaphor for how events approach disposable materials that are used in the infrastructure of the production. When to use, how to use, and what happens to them afterwards.
ABPCO brought together a panel of industry experts including Jenny Elliot, Director of Events, Fitwise Management, a Professional Conference Organiser; Kate Holliday, Head of ESG at GES; Jack Newey, Commercial Director, Mash Media; and Cathie Clarke, CEO of Carpet Recycling UK (soon to be rebranded as the UK Sustainable Flooring Alliance). The panel was joined by a virtual room of event planners working within the association and large meeting sector.
The discussion sought to cover the challenges of balancing sustainability with attendee experience whilst providing practical solutions such as carpet reuse schemes, sustainable materials, and improved recycling practices. Guests also considered the nuanced needs of neurodiverse attendees and the social benefits of carpeting.
The Sustainability Challenge: Why Flooring Matters
Carpeting plays a significant role in shaping the look and feel of conferences and exhibitions. It offers aesthetic appeal, reduces noise, and creates zoned areas that aid wayfinding. However, carpeting also presents a major sustainability challenge. Most event carpets are single-use products, discarded after an event and rarely recycled due to the complexity of their materials.
Kate Holliday underlined the dilemma, explaining that while carpets contribute to delegate comfort and the overall experience, they can have an environmental footprint. Kate’s approach Involved collaborating with suppliers, event organisers, and venues to create a holistic solution that doesn’t diminish the value of the flooring but looks at ways to do it more sustainably. GES recently launched a series of data driven reports that are providing the direction in these discussions, with more to come.
Cathie Clarke highlighted the challenges of recycling compound products like broadloom carpet and luxury vinyl tiles, which often end up in landfills. She stressed the importance of eco-design and material innovation to create carpets that are easier to recycle.
Sustainability vs. Delegate Experience: Finding the Balance
While sustainability is a priority, removing carpets altogether can negatively impact the delegate experience. Jack Newey now looks after all of Mash Media’s Exhibitions,but was Event Director at International Confex shortly after the brand looked to experiment at the show by removing carpet, thus reducing waste and cutting costs.
Whilst the initiative was intended as a sustainability measure, it received both positive and negative feedback from attendees and exhibitors. Removing the carpet did lower costs, but exhibitors expressed confusion over the lack of carpeting, highlighting its importance for visual appeal, comfort, and wayfinding. Some delegates also criticized the move as it made the event noisier and impacted the experience of those with sensory disability. As a result, Confex reintroduced carpet the following year, opting for the more sustainable ‘Rewind’ carpet solution—a recyclable flooring option designed for multiple uses.
In contrast, Jenny Elliot shared a different perspective, noting that some associations have successfully eliminated carpet due to budget constraints. In these cases, the removal did not affect attendee satisfaction, suggesting that the necessity of carpet may vary by event type and audience expectation.
Innovative Solutions and Next Steps
The roundtable showcased several innovative strategies aimed at reducing the environmental impact of flooring in events while maintaining a positive delegate experience. These included:
1. Rewind Carpet and Circular Economy Practices
A key takeaway was the growing adoption of the ‘Rewind’ carpet. GES is leading the charge, with Kate confirming their commitment to transitioning to 100% rewind carpet usage by the end of the year, whilst also sustaining the price point so it can be adopted by events without paying a premium. Similarly, Confex will continue using rewind carpet while monitoring delegate feedback to ensure it meets attendee expectations.
2. Take-Back Schemes and Social Reuse
The potential for carpet reuse in social projects emerged as a creative and practical solution. Cathie encouraged engagement with ‘take-back’ schemes where available. Thiscould help redirect used exhibition carpet to social housing or community projects. This approach would extend the product's lifecycle and reduce waste while offering positive legacy effects for local communities.
Another participant shared a successful initiative where coloured carpets were used to create zones at events and then donated for reuse in social housing. Because additional investment had been made in the quality and texture of the carpet, this not only reduced waste but also created credible contributions to disadvantaged home owners.
3. Partnering with Sustainability Consultants
To enhance delegate communication and transparency, event organisers were encouraged to partner with sustainability consultants or carpet suppliers. These partnerships would help clearly communicate flooring choices to delegates, ensuring they understand the event's sustainability efforts.
4. Exploring Alternatives to Carpet
The panel also discussed the potential of alternative flooring solutions. While carpeting is often seen as essential, non-carpeted zones or creative use of sustainable flooring materials could offer eco-friendly alternatives. The team agreed to continue exploring new flooring technologies and materials that balance sustainability with practicality.
Conclusion: Paving the Way for a Greener Events Industry
The roundtable underlines that carpet sustainability is a multifaceted challenge, requiring a balance of environmental responsibility, attendee experience, and inclusivity. The events sector is in a unique position to lead by example, showcasing innovative flooring solutions that reduce waste without compromising on quality.
By embracing new innovations, both in production, recycling and reuse, whilst integrating neurodiversity considerations into sustainability strategies, the industry can set a new standard for environmentally responsible events. The roundtable participants left with a clear vision: collaboration, creativity, and commitment will be key to transforming carpet usage into a force for positive change in the event sector.
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