We know sustainability is increasingly important to our attendees and exhibitors, as well as to our community as a whole. Operating SupplySide Connect New Jersey gives us many opportunities to improve our impacts environmentally, socially and economically in our host city. We understand that it’s not just about the way we produce our events, but recognizing that we have a role to play in providing a space to work in partnership together with our markets to inspire the sustainable development of the industries we serve. Our team is driven to make our event more responsible and to also play a key role in helping our market improve its own sustainability.
Our three pillars
It's important to us that we keep accessibility, diversity and inclusion at the forefront when planning our event.
Initiatives include:
- A Mother’s Room will be available for nursing parents.
- Education is open to all attendees and offers both free and paid content. Sessions will be available for on-demand viewing for those who are unable to attend in person.
- Networking events all include nonalcoholic beverage options for inclusivity of the sober/sober-curious community.
- SupplySide works with local vendors to help support the local community.
- Headsets provided in Education Theater which provide inclusive participation and accessibility for hearing-impaired individuals and attendees with sensory sensitivities.
- SupplySide supports Women in Nutraceuticals (WIN), whose vision is to achieve economic and societal equity to change the global nutraceutical industry by promoting and hosting a #WIN Gender & Equity Networking Reception at the show.
SupplySide Connect New Jersey prioritizes venues and event setups that are carbon neutral. When we plan SupplySide Connect New Jersey, we work with vendors and venues that focus on reducing our event’s carbon emissions and creating less waste.
Initiatives include:
- SupplySide has implemented the Better Stands Program. This initiative aims to unite and encourage exhibitors — along with their appointed contractors — to move away from disposable, single-use stands at events, in favor of reusable or recyclable structures. Single-use stands are typically sent to a landfill post-event. Instead of this, we encourage our exhibitors to partner with our general service contractor, GES, or its exhibitor-appointed contractor to produce a beautiful stand that can be reused for many trade shows.
- Carpet has been eliminated from all aisles in the Expo Hall. In 2025, we saved 28,300 square feet of material from being used.
- SupplySide Connect New Jersey is powered by 100% renewable electricity.
- Digital kiosks are used and help reduce printed advertising.
- Badge recycle bins are provided onsite.
- The Meadowlands Exposition Center is fully outfitted with LEDs. This creates renewable electricity via solar on the roof.
- Attendees are encouraged to bring their refillable water bottles to the show. Water stations will be available in the Meadowlands Lobby and throughout the Expo Hall.
- We will be using a more sustainable, compostable plate option for all catered events.
- Lanyards are made from PET material, a form of polyester which is recycled from plastic bottles and other plastic packaging.
- In collaboration with our general services contractor, we have transitioned to using AMP or FIT3 overlay fabric, which allows for annual reuse, unlike traditional overlays that are limited to a single-use lifecycle.
Education sessions at SupplySide Connect New Jersey enable health and nutrition leaders to innovate and do business in a way that prioritizes both people and planet. We focus on environmental sustainability, empowering entrepreneurs and small businesses, and offering diverse and inclusive speakers.
The following education sessions address top challenges and opportunities in our community, aligned with the sustainability development goals (SDGs):
- The supplement trend translator: From smoke signals to clear strategy
- Regulatory reality check: Where are we now
- What’s now, what’s next: The food and beverage trends you can’t ignore
- Natural or not: Cleaning up sports nutrition labels
- Supply chain roulette: Navigating formulation challenges in real time
SupplySide has many long-standing purposeful partnerships with organizations that have helped shape the industry. A few examples include:
- American Botanical Council (ABC)
- American Herbal Products Association (AHPA)
- Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN)
- Organic & Natural Health Association
- NSF International (NSF)
In partnership with The Dream Opportunity (formerly Diversity Org), SupplySide Connect New Jersey welcomes a group of students from local New Jersey high schools for exposure to career opportunities in the health and nutrition industry. The students will participate in a professional development workshop with corporate employees and join exhibitor tours throughout the expo.
The Dream Opportunity is a global nonprofit whose mission is to teach under-resourced and minority students how to obtain corporate and high-income careers.
To learn more about The Dream Opportunity and their mission:
How can I get involved?
The exhibitor sustainability checklist to make it easy for you to see how you can be more sustainable before, during and after the show.
SupplySide has also implemented the Better Stands Program. This initiative aims to unite and encourage exhibitors — along with their appointed contractors — to move away from disposable, single-use stands at events, in favor of reusable or recyclable structures. You can learn more by clicking below.
- Walking a trade show floor can be tiring, so make sure you rest your feet and your brain regularly by taking breaks throughout the day.
- Staying hydrated and having a healthy snack will improve your ability to get the most out of the event. Consider eating a healthy meat-free lunch as well; it’s good for you and for the planet.
- When talking to exhibiting companies, remember to ask them about the sustainability credentials of their business and their products.
- Download the SupplySide Connect New Jersey mobile app to navigate the show and connect with other attendees rather than exchanging business cards.
- Reduce the brightness of your screen and remember to hibernate your computer when not in use to help reduce your energy usage.
- Don’t throw your lanyards and badges in the trash! Place them in one of the recycling bins at the end of the show.
See you again in 2028!
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