CES 2026 BOSS Awards Judges
Judges were randomly selected from a pool of eligible and available U.S. and international advisory board members who met preestablished criteria. The highest and lowest scores for each finalist will be omitted to ensure no single judge has undue influence on the results. Judges will score each finalist on criteria that has been written and approved by the advisory board, with each criterion weighted to reflect its value in finalists' total, cumulative scores.
Concept/Design - 20%
Technology/Innovation - 15%
Engagement/Immersion - 20%
Execution/Fabrication - 20%
Overall Impact - 25%
Alex Hill, Vice President, Experiential Solutions, Taylor Corp., USA
With five decades of experience in the experiential marketing space, Alex began on the client side with two Fortune 100 companies. In the '90s, he helped build the largest international portable display company, leading both sales and distribution. Thereafter, Alex started his own firm designing, manufacturing, and distributing an array of exhibit products still popular in event and retail applications. He holds patents on four continents. A long-time board member of the Experiential Designers and Producers Association, Alex currently chairs the EDPA Foundation and judges at FIT Capstone annually. Alex was also recently awarded the Hazel Hayes Lifetime Achievement Award from the EDPA.
Allison Saget, Author and Event Marketing Consultant, EventBLT, USA
Allison Saget's strategic customer-centric approach delivers an integrated strategy tied to sales; providing a hard focus on ROI and the organization’s goals. Through assessing the big picture, engaging at the executive level, managing teams, and leveraging industry contacts, her knowledge and expertise led her to develop and create EventBLT™, a strategic approach that integrates Brand Recognition, Lead Generation, and Thought Leadership in order to shorten the sales cycle. An accomplished marketer, "brand-a-holic," author, and speaker, Allison has deep expertise in strategy and messaging, having created, designed, and managed well over 1,000 events. Allison has also worked in advertising, television, collateral design & production, logo merchandising, and direct marketing.
Edwin Van der Vennet, Chief Innovation Officer & Co-Owner, BeMatrix, Belgium
Edwin Van der Vennet is an innovative entrepreneur and owner of the beMatrix group, a leading provider of modular frame systems for the events industry. With extensive expertise in event services, he chairs the Smart Production and Waste Management Workstream within the Net Zero Carbon Events Initiative, advocating for sustainability and circular design globally. Van der Vennet specializes in innovation management, design strategy, concept development, and circular economy principles, combining professional rigor with a passion for fun and creativity. He holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Design from the University of Antwerp and has completed advanced studies in Circular Economy and Sustainable Strategies at the University of Cambridge. Through his leadership and advocacy, Edwin drives responsible innovation that redefines sustainability in the events industry.
Dominique Cook, MBA, CTSM Diamond, Senior Meeting & Events Specialist,
Boston Scientific, USA
Dominique Cook has 20+ years of trade show experience. For many years, she worked in the building materials industry, managing trade shows for a large window and door manufacturer. Currently, she is a Senior Meeting & Events Specialist with Boston Scientific. Dominique has been a member of several Exhibitor Advisory Boards throughout her career and is an active advisory council member for The Exhibitor Advocate. Dominique has her Diamond CTSM accreditation and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas and continues to give back to the industry as she is able. Dominique also served on Exhibitor magazine's editorial advisory board and has judged several marketing and design competitions.
Javier Cardona, Chief Strategy Officer, Mobohubb, Colombia
Javier Cardona is an industrial designer who has spent nearly 30 years leading Latin American companies in exhibitions, conferences, and live marketing. He specializes in strategic thinking, international exhibitions, event marketing, production, and design-architecture solutions. Javier’s notable projects include the World Petroleum Congresses in Qatar, South Africa, Spain, and Russia. From 2008–2015, Javier produced the Stakeholders' General Assembly for Ecopetrol, South America’s largest private-sector event. He has worked at Exposistemas Peru and InterExpo Colombia, where he secured and maintained clients such as ANH, and Juan Valdez. He also led InterExpo’s ISO 9001 certification, making it the first Latin American firm to be certified.
Jeannette Sanders, Vice President, Marketing & Strategy, 2020 Exhibits, USA
Jeannette's 20 years of experience spans experiential marketing, brand strategy, digital engagement, social media, content creation, SEO, SEM, and event management. She has led global marketing teams and earned multiple honors, including World Exhibition Stand Awards, Lantern Awards, and the BMA People's Choice Award. She holds an Associate of Applied Science in Visual Communications from The Art Institute of Houston, an Associate of Arts in Illustration from the Instituto de Diseño de Caracas, and an Associate in Graphic Design from the Centro Artístico Villasmíl de León in Venezuela. An active member of the Business Marketing Association (BMA), AMA, and participant in the Experiential Designers & Producers Association (EDPA), Jeannette is passionate about fostering creativity, collaboration, and innovation.
Kerem Oba, Founder Partner and General Manager, Capital Events Turkiye, Turkiye
Kerem Oba is the Founder and General Manager of Capital Events Türkiye, a leading Istanbul-based event management agency. With over 20 years of experience, he specializes in creative direction, operations, and strategic execution. Kerem’s expertise includes marketing management, budgeting, business planning, and entrepreneurship, establishing Capital Events Türkiye’s reputation for delivering innovative, high-profile events domestically and internationally. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Middle East Technical University. Prior to founding Capital Events, Kerem held key roles at Oyak Group, developing skills in business strategy, client relations, and operations. His leadership continues to position Capital Events Türkiye as a trusted partner for complex and impactful event solutions, and his past CES exhibits were named among the Best of CES from 2022-2024.
Maria-Amaya Ferrari, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Black Nova, Italy
Maria-Amaya Ferrari is a sales and marketing executive with 20+ years in fashion and design. As Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Black Nova Italia, she leads global brand strategy and market expansion in smart design technology. Beginning her career in Milan, Amaya held key marketing, brand development, and creative production roles at Teatro alla Scala and Capitalia. She has developed strategic marketing initiatives for luxury design brands across Europe and Asia, focusing on the APAC region. With a background in experiential design and editorial media—as former editor of Smart Living Magazine—Amaya blends innovation, aesthetics, and user-focused storytelling. She brings a global perspective, meticulous attention to detail, and commitment to quality, shaping luxury environments with elegance and purpose.
Steve Deckel, CTSM, CEO, Deckel & Moneypenny, USA
Steve Deckel is the CEO of Deckel and Moneypenny, an independent experiential agency in Louisville, Kentucky. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Experiential Designers and Producers Association (EDPA). Steve has over 30 years of exhibit design experience and earned his bronze-level certification through the Certified Trade Show Marketer (CTSM) program. His clients include GE, Chevron, and many well-known brands. Deckel & Moneypenny was ranked among North America's top exhibit providers, and the company's work has been honored with numerous awards, including Sizzle Awards, Portable/Modular Awards, ExSys Awards, and Exhibit Design Awards.
Soh Min Kim, Head of Exhibition Strategy and Communication Department, AKEI, Korea
Soh Min (Sue) Kim is Head of Exhibition Strategy Planning and Communication at AKEI South Korea, bringing extensive experience in marketing, communications, and strategic planning within the exhibition industry. She excels at leading high-performance teams, international negotiations, and business development. Sue oversees PR, media relations, and global cooperation with organizations like UFI and IAEE. She has led government subsidy programs supporting Korean exhibition globalization, industry research, sustainability initiatives, and infrastructure development. Previously, she managed Hyundai Motorstudio’s global operations and marketing, enhancing customer experience and brand activation across multiple locations. Sue also spent over 16 years at Coex Convention & Exhibition Center, leading MICE marketing, venue promotion, and international partnerships.
Jason Popp, President and CEO, Moss, USA
Jason is President & CEO of Moss, a leading production partner to the global experiential marketing industry with offices in North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom, following its acquisition of MacroArt in 2023. Moss pioneered the use of tension fabrics in the trade show industry and has further developed that expertise to other graphic print and production techniques. The company now serves myriad end markets such as events, retail, sports, and corporate interiors. With over 30 years of experience in international business, including ten years living outside the US, Jason brings firsthand knowledge of the global marketplace to US businesses.
Umaree Charnnarong, Executive Committee, Creative Business Development Director, Index Creative Village, Thailand
Umaree Charnnarong is Creative Business Development Director and Executive Committee member at Index Creative Village, with 20+ years of experience in marketing, communications, and creative business development. She plays a pivotal role in strategic planning and growth, leading diverse projects across national and international platforms. Charnnarong has directed Thailand’s pavilions at multiple World Expos, including Shanghai 2010, Yeosu 2012, Astana 2017, and Dubai 2020, overseeing creative direction, operations, and international coordination. Her projects have received global recognition. She also led communication strategies for Thailand’s World Expo Phuket 2027 bid and contributed to major events such as the SEA Games and Myanmar Countdown. Committed to advancing the industry, Charnnarong serves as a guest lecturer, award jury member, and columnist.