Small Steps, Lasting Impact

As experiential fabricators, we live and work in a world that moves with lighting speed—tight timelines, quick turnarounds, and long days on the shop (and show) floor. Anyone who works in the events industry can tell you that you’ve gotta be able to think on your feet and find outside-the-box solutions for problems at a moment’s notice. And when you're used to moving a million miles an hour, it's easy to mistake "sustainability" for slowing down - or worse - for compromising on creativity, quality, or budget.

But at Downtown FabWorks, we see things a little differently.

We believe that sustainability isn’t a trend—it’s our responsibility. That’s why when we talk about it with our clients, we focus on measured, realistic approaches to real-life concerns. To put it bluntly, the world can't afford more lofty, outlandish promises and check-the-box greenwashing. It’s up to us all to set meaningful, measurable goals, then work to meet them together.

The truth is that we’re part of an industry that can generate a staggering amount of waste. According to a study by MeetGreen, the average three-day, mid-sized event produces up to 1,250 pounds of waste per day, with over 40% of that going straight to the landfill. In EventTrack 2025, Event Marketer reports that 81% of attendees notice and care about a brand’s sustainability efforts at events. And according to the 2025 Event Agency Business Outlook, an average of 38% of brand RFPs require sustainability solutions to be included in the response.

The ask is clear; both brands and attendees demand sustainable solutions. But here’s the hard part: gold-standard sustainability isn’t always affordable or feasible—especially for small and mid-sized businesses. We know that. Our clients know that too.

Enter a little bit of common sense and lot of creativity. We take pride in our ability to meet visual and brand standards without starting from scratch every time. Sometimes that means rethinking material choices or revising design concepts. Other times it means pulling from our existing inventory of modular systems instead of rushing to order something new. We also help clients understand how to modify and reuse elements for multiple shows, saving money on future activations while keeping things out of the landfill.

It’s not always perfect. But it’s always thoughtful, and these choices add up. We believe the future of fabrication lies in doing a little better, each and every day. And that starts with us (and you!)

In the coming months, we’ll be sharing more about how we’ve woven sustainable practices into our fabrication process—from shop to site—and how you can too. We’ll break down simple strategies that don’t break the bank or compromise on design, but still move the needle in meaningful ways.

Sustainability in our industry isn’t about quick fixes or big gestures—it’s about paying attention. The small, often unseen choices we make can ripple outward, shaping how people experience a brand and what they remember long after the event ends. We’re committed to doing that work, and we’re grounded in the belief that meaningful impact is built—not just claimed.

Planning a brand activation? Want a creative partner who shares your values? We’d love to hear from you! Let’s work together to bring your vision to life in a way that feels meaningful and true to your brand. Get in touch with our sales team today!