Major multinational companies including Amazon, Panasonic, Dolby, Dell, Visa and PayPal have committed to monitoring and reducing their carbon footprint at trade shows using artificial intelligence. The initiative aims to tackle the long-criticised “build and burn” culture seen at CES and other major global expos.
The companies are founding adopters of the Trade Show Impact Manager (TIM), an AI-powered platform designed to measure and reduce exhibition booth emissions in real time.
What Is Trade Show Impact Manager (TIM)?
Trade Show Impact Manager (TIM) allows exhibitors to snap a photo of their booth using an AI-powered “carbon lens.” Within as little as 30 seconds, the app generates an estimate of the booth’s environmental impact.
The tool has been trained using data from thousands of exhibition stands worldwide, enabling businesses to assess material usage, structure size, and waste potential quickly and accurately.
Founding TIM Partners
The initial list of global partners adopting TIM includes:
- Amazon
- Panasonic
- Dolby
- CBRE
- Pernod Ricard
- Dell
- Visa
- JLL
- Knight Frank
- PayPal
These companies aim to improve trade show sustainability, reduce event-related emissions, and promote responsible exhibiting practices.
Who Created TIM?
TIM was developed by sustainability campaigner Nick Marks, founder of mission-driven innovation hub Pie Factory, alongside CTO Zak Homuth, founder of Upverter and former senior executive at Altium and Sheertex.
The founders believe the AI-driven platform could create a “before-and-after” moment for B2B events by encouraging greater transparency and accountability in exhibition design and construction.
Trade Shows Emit 40 Times More Carbon Than Music Festivals
According to data from Pie Factory, the typical trade show generates 40 times more carbon emissions than the average music festival.
Carbon emissions at expos stem from several sources, including:
- Delegate and exhibitor travel
- Energy consumption
- Water usage
- Booth construction and disposal
One of the largest contributors is the “build and burn” practice, where custom exhibition booths are built for short-term use and later discarded instead of being reused or repurposed.
Sustainability Controversy at Global Expos
The sustainability debate gained attention in Japan during preparations for the Osaka Expo. The architect of the “Great Ring,” the world’s largest wooden architectural structure, claimed that much of the structure would eventually be burned as wood chips — a claim disputed by event organisers.
The controversy highlighted growing concerns about waste management and carbon accountability at large-scale global events.
Transforming Smartphones into Carbon Monitoring Tools
TIM aims to change the trade show industry by turning smartphones into carbon monitoring devices. Exhibitors and event organisers can instantly measure booth emissions, compare impact levels, and explore ways to reduce waste and material usage.
Nick Marks stated:
“Since the days of the World’s Fair and their ‘ghost attractions,’ expos have left behind a trail of waste and abandonment. Yet their carbon footprint has gone practically untouched.”
He added:
“It’s time to address the elephant in the hall. Our app allows event hosts and exhibitors to get quick, clear and comprehensive read-outs of their carbon footprint. Responsible companies will welcome this.”
Industry Response to Trade Show Sustainability Initiative
Jill Maxwell, Global Head of Events at CBRE, said:
“TIM has empowered us to better understand and vastly improve the footprint of our global trade shows.”
As sustainability becomes a priority for global brands, AI-driven tools like Trade Show Impact Manager may reshape how exhibitions are designed, built, and measured.
The Future of Sustainable Trade Shows
With billions of dollars flowing through global expos annually, pressure is mounting on organisers and exhibitors to adopt measurable sustainability practices.
The adoption of AI carbon tracking at CES and other major trade fairs signals a significant shift toward greener, more responsible B2B events.
If widely adopted, TIM could mark a turning point in reducing trade show carbon emissions, ending the build-and-burn culture, and setting new standards for sustainable exhibitions worldwide.
