Our memberships and partnerships

Exhibition stand construction, events and brand spaces are not created in isolation. They come to life where experience, technical standards and new ideas come together. That is precisely why we are active in networks that shape the industry: in the events sector, in the international exhibition industry, in modular system construction, in design and in the reuse of exhibition stands.

What we gain from our memberships and partnerships is incorporated into the advice we provide, the planning we undertake and the decisions we make together with you: regarding construction, the choice of materials, international implementation and the question of how a stand can continue to be utilised beyond the next trade fair.

The fwd: is the trade association for the German events industry (website available in German only). It brings together exhibition stand builders, event agencies, exhibition architects, caterers and suppliers. Founded in 1963 as FAMAB, today it represents the sector in dealings with politicians, the business community and the media, and organises professional activities in the areas of People, Business, Sustainability and Politics.

For us, the association is particularly interesting because it works on the fundamentals that later find their way into day-to-day project work. The fwd: develops guidelines and guidance for the sector, most recently on resource management in the trade fair and exhibition industry and, in collaboration with AUMA, on sustainability reporting. We discuss topics such as material cycles, reuse and reporting requirements there before they appear in tenders.

In addition to our in-house developed C8 exhibition stand construction system, we also use OCTANORM® as the basis for our exhibition stands. Put simply, it is a modular system comprising aluminium profiles, connectors and wall panels, which can be used to build exhibition stands of almost any size and shape; it can be dismantled after the exhibition and reconfigured for the next event. The system is used worldwide, which is a tangible advantage for international projects.

Our partnership has been in place for many years and forms an important part of our initiatives towards greater sustainability. OCTANORM® is of particular interest to us because the profiles are designed for a long service life: the materials remain in use across several project cycles, rather than ending up in a container after just four days at a trade fair. This is a key component of our processes, which are certified to ISO 14001 and ISO 20121. In terms of design, there is more scope than many people realise: whether it’s load-bearing structures for heavy exhibits in mechanical engineering, enclosed meeting rooms for the pharmaceutical industry, or high-quality finishes in the premium segment.

OSPI is the international partner network for the OCTANORM® system and, according to the manufacturer, the largest exhibition stand construction network in the world: over 100 partners in more than 40 countries, all working with the same system components and to the same quality standards.

The principle behind it is ‘designed here, built there’: the concept and planning take place here in Germany, whilst construction is carried out using local materials and on-site assembly teams. This avoids long transport routes and flights. Local knowledge is equally important: building regulations, safety requirements and customs formalities vary from country to country, and a local partner is familiar with them. Because everyone in the network works with the same profiles and designations, the end result remains consistent across the board.

UFI is the international umbrella organisation for the trade fair industry. Its members include trade fair organisers, exhibition centre operators, associations and service providers from over 80 countries. The association collects market data, develops industry standards and serves as the central platform through which the trade fair industry coordinates its activities internationally.

For us, this membership is particularly relevant when projects span national borders. Building regulations, approval processes and standards can vary considerably from one exhibition venue to another. Having a direct line of communication with organisers and colleagues on the ground helps to clarify such issues at an early stage, before they become a problem.

Better Stands is an international programme that assesses exhibition stands based on how consistently they are designed for reuse rather than single-use construction. The assessment covers the structure, walls, podiums, furnishings, lighting and graphics. The key question is whether these elements will be reused after the exhibition or end up as waste. Depending on the level of compliance, a stand is awarded a rating up to Gold.

We have been a member of the Better Stands Community since September 2026. However, our projects had already been assessed prior to this: in 2025, we received a Gold rating on three separate occasions. The awards recognised our exhibition stands for ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions and Exacom GmbH at the Battery Show Europe, as well as for Faller Packaging at CPHI in Milan.

Membership is the logical next step for us. The crucial question arises as early as the concept development stage: are we creating a one-off design, or an exhibition stand that will be used across multiple events, venues and markets?