EXCHANGE FOR CHANGE @ SYD EASTER SHOW

Event: Sydney Royal Easter Show
Dates: 11–22 April 2025
Location: Sydney Showground
Stand Size: 6m x 6m (36sqm) Peninsula Stand

Introduction

For the 2025 Sydney Royal Easter Show, Grand Stand Events was engaged to bring the NSW Government Return and Earn initiative to life through a fun, family-friendly exhibition space. In collaboration with Exchange for Change and the NSW Government, the result was an engaging and educational stand that promoted recycling, sustainability, and Earnie – the newly reimagined wombat mascot.

Objectives

● Educate children and families about the benefits of the Return and Earn program.
● Increase emotional engagement through the character mascot “Earnie”.
● Design a high-impact, child-friendly space within a tight footprint.
● Provide a durable, reusable, and sustainable display solution.

Key Stand Features

Visual Engagement & Education

● A touchscreen for an interactive game for kids to learn about the recycling journey.
● Custom-designed PVC signage and graphics featuring Earnie the Wombat
● A freestanding 1800mm Earnie cut-out provided a photo opportunity for families and helped generate social media interaction.

Structure & Materials

● Ames framing system with a mix of new and reused panels to reduce material waste.
● Walling consisted of new and reused panels from the 2024 installation
● No raised flooring, instead, blue exhibition carpet tiles (36sqm) were installed for simplicity.

Lighting & Power

● Six LED arm lights were mounted on the structure to brighten key visual areas.
● A single 10amp power supply was used alongside a small stand distribution setup, keeping the energy footprint minimal.

Furniture & AV

● A sleek white counter and brochure stand facilitated face-to-face conversations with attendees.
● A 65″ touchscreen monitor and a white iPad stand delivered an accessible and inclusive digital learning experience.

Sustainable Design Execution

Sustainability was integrated through:

● Reused signage from the 2024 event including eight PVC prints.
● Post-show waste carefully sorted and disposed of internal recycling processes.
● No single-use furniture or flooring was used.
● All framing components are part of reusable stock.

Outcome

The Exchange for Change exhibit at the Sydney Royal Easter Show successfully merged interactive learning with sustainability. The immersive stand sparked high engagement, particularly among children and families drawn to Earnie’s friendly character and the hands-on digital elements. Reused materials and eco-conscious planning reinforced the program’s environmental goals, while the modular construction ensures the stand can be adapted and redeployed for future events, maximising both value and impact.

“The Return and Earn initiative is such an important program to bring to life. Our team was proud to deliver a vibrant, interactive and educational space.” – Sebastien Thuet, Account Manager, Grand Stand Events