Exhibit 3Sixty & ASKO earn Better Stands Gold at kbb Birmingham 2026

Introduction

Table of Contents

Exhibition contractor Exhibit 3Sixty and premium appliance manufacturer ASKO have received the Better Stands Gold award for their joint presence at kbb Birmingham 2026, held from 5–8 March. The recognition, conferred by organiser Informa Markets, is the highest level within the Better Stands framework, which evaluates how exhibitors and contractors reduce waste and adopt more sustainable stand-building practices at trade shows.

Background and industry context

Across the global exhibitions industry, organisers and suppliers are under growing pressure to reduce the environmental impact of trade shows. Traditional exhibition stands often rely on single-use materials, such as disposable walling, carpets and graphics, which typically end up in landfill at the end of an event. In recent years, this model has come under scrutiny from both exhibitors and visitors, driven by corporate sustainability goals, regulatory expectations and rising material costs.

In response, a number of major organisers – including Informa Markets – have launched structured programmes to accelerate the transition toward reusable, modular and more resource-efficient stand solutions. Better Stands is one such initiative, designed to encourage exhibitors and their contractors to move away from single-use stand construction, favouring long-life frameworks, reusable components and responsible material sourcing. Awards within the programme signal different levels of progress, from initial steps towards sustainability through to full adoption of best practices.

kbb Birmingham, a leading UK trade event for the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom sector, has become an active testing ground for these policies. The show brings together product manufacturers, distributors, retail buyers and designers, creating strong visibility around how brands approach both design and sustainability in their physical presence.

Key developments at kbb Birmingham 2026

At the 2026 edition of kbb Birmingham, Exhibit 3Sixty worked closely with ASKO to design and build a stand that met the stringent criteria laid out in the Better Stands Gold tier. While the detailed scoring is administered by Informa Markets, the Gold classification generally reflects a stand that is constructed primarily from reusable elements, with limited reliance on single-use materials and a clear plan for post-event reuse or recycling.

For Exhibit 3Sixty and ASKO, this involved a shift in emphasis from short-term visual impact to long-term structural value. Typical measures associated with Gold-level stands within the framework can include:

Using modular stand systems and structural components that can be reconfigured for future events.
Minimising single-use elements such as disposable walling, flooring and decorative features.
Employing higher quality finishes and materials designed for multiple life cycles.
Planning logistics and storage to ensure stand elements can be returned, refurbished and redeployed.
Reducing on-site waste generation and improving segregation for recycling.

By meeting these conditions, Exhibit 3Sixty and ASKO demonstrated compliance with the highest level of Informa Markets’ expectations for responsible stand construction at kbb Birmingham. The Better Stands Gold award formally validates that their stand went beyond incremental improvements and aligned with the organiser’s long-term vision of eliminating single-use stands from its events.

Industry impact

The Better Stands Gold award for Exhibit 3Sixty and ASKO is part of a broader shift in how trade show environments are being specified, designed and delivered. As more contractors and exhibitors reach higher tiers of the framework, it becomes increasingly difficult for others to justify traditional, disposable stand builds – particularly where shows are led by organisers with clear sustainability objectives.

For exhibition contractors, this creates a competitive landscape where technical capability around modular systems, design for reuse and sustainable material sourcing becomes central to winning work. Agencies and builders that can demonstrate repeatable models for Gold-level compliance are well positioned to secure briefs from brands looking to align their events strategy with corporate ESG targets.

For exhibitors, recognition such as Better Stands Gold is both a reputational and operational marker. It gives marketing and events teams a concrete way to evidence progress against sustainability commitments, while potentially reducing long-term costs by spreading investment in stand infrastructure across multiple shows. Over time, this may influence procurement decisions, with buyers prioritising contractors and design partners that can verify adherence to frameworks like Better Stands.

At the organiser level, the presence of Gold-certified stands on the show floor contributes to a more consistent sustainability narrative for the event. Organisers can report on aggregate improvements, including reduced waste volumes and higher reuse rates, which can be shared with stakeholders, host venues and local authorities.

Why this matters for event professionals and technology providers

For event planners, exhibition managers and brand-side marketing teams, the Exhibit 3Sixty and ASKO award underlines a practical trend: sustainability is moving from optional add-on to embedded requirement in stand design. When working on future trade show strategies, professionals will increasingly need to:

Integrate sustainability criteria, such as Better Stands tiers, into briefs and RFPs for stand contractors.
Assess the long-term usability of stand assets and plan multi-event deployment from the outset.
Factor in measurement and reporting, ensuring stand partners can provide data on reuse and waste reduction.

Technology providers in the event and exhibition ecosystem also play a role. Digital design tools, 3D modelling platforms and configuration software can help contractors optimise modular layouts for multiple venues and footprints, while inventory and asset management systems can track the lifecycle of stand components across events.

In addition, data platforms that integrate with organiser frameworks like Better Stands could enable more consistent reporting, allowing exhibitors to benchmark performance across different shows and regions. This aligns with growing demand from corporate sustainability teams for reliable metrics covering live events alongside digital and hybrid channels.

For hybrid and virtual event platforms, the evolution of physical stand standards may open opportunities for blended experiences that reduce reliance on high-impact builds. For example, exhibitors might maintain a smaller, highly reusable physical footprint, complemented by richer digital product demonstrations and remote engagement tools that extend reach beyond the show floor.

Conclusion

The Better Stands Gold award for Exhibit 3Sixty and ASKO at kbb Birmingham 2026 is one example of how sustainability initiatives are reshaping stand design and delivery across exhibitions. As organisers entrench frameworks like Better Stands, contractors and exhibitors are being pushed toward more durable, modular and resource-efficient solutions.

For event professionals, the implications are clear: sustainable stand design is becoming a central planning consideration rather than a peripheral concern. Those who adapt processes, partnerships and technology stacks to support high-level compliance will be better equipped to meet the expectations of organisers, visitors and corporate stakeholders in the years ahead.