The ExSys Awards recognize excellence in system-based exhibits, showcasing projects that exemplify creativity, innovation, and superior design. These awards celebrate the ingenuity and creativity of designers and marketers who push the boundaries of modular and system-based solutions.

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Entry Instructions

• We recommend you download a PDF of the entry form (click the button above) and collect the info and assets required, then copy and paste everything into the online entry form.

• You will need to share a Dropbox folder (or other accessible folder) of photos and/or videos. You may also use WeTransfer or other file-sharing tools. Simply indicate how you prefer to share those assets in the applicable fields.

• Complete the online entry form (click the button above) and ensure photos/videos are shared. Remit payment via the entry form.

 

What We Celebrate

The ExSys Awards honor exhibits that demonstrate:

• Visual Impact: Creative designs that attract attention and help brands stand out from competitors.

• Innovative Integration: Solutions that utilize system components to create custom-looking experiential spaces. 

• Inspiring Execution: Exhibits that our judges would like to see emulated as standards of excellence.

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Why It Matters

System-based exhibits are the backbone of many experiential designs, offering scalability and efficiency without compromising creativity. The ExSys Awards spotlight the best in the field, driving innovation and setting new benchmarks for modular exhibit design.

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Entry Categories

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• Best Design Concept – Any exhibit designed for use at a trade show, conference, event, etc. This category recognizes the overarching design concept or theme behind the exhibit. 

• Best Design Proposal – Any unrealized exhibit designed for use at a trade show, conference, event, etc. Entries must be designed using a specific exhibit system (Aluvision, BeMatrix, Classic, Octanorm, Skyline, etc.) and be realistically buildable. Entries must include a minimum of two renderings, with at least one showing a full exterior view.

• Best Fabric Exhibit – Any exhibit using fabric or tensioned-fabric components, including SEGs, overhead elements, walls/structures, etc.

• Best Small In-Line Exhibit – Any in-line exhibit that is 200 square feet or less.

• Best Large In-Line Exhibit – Any in-line exhibit that measures more than 200 square feet.

• Best Small Island Exhibit – Any island exhibit that is less than 800 square feet.

• Best Medium Island Exhibit – Any island exhibit that measures between 800 and 2,500 square feet.

• Best Large Island Exhibit – Any island exhibit more than 2,500 square feet.

• NEW! Best Modular Design - Any exhibit used in multiple configurations. Entrants must submit photos of at least two configurations.

• Best Small Rental Exhibit – Any rental exhibit less than 800 square feet.

• Best Medium Rental Exhibit – Any rental exhibit that measures between 800 and 2,500 square feet.

• Best Large Rental Exhibit – Any rental exhibit more than 2,500 square feet.

• Best Graphics – Any exhibit featuring static or digital/motion graphics as an essential design element.

• NEW! Best Redesign - Any redesigned/refurbished exhibit. Entrants must submit before and after photos showing the evolution/improvements.

• Best Sustainable Design – Any exhibit incorporating sustainable, recyclable, or recycled materials and/or sustainable practices.

• Best Overhead Element – Any rigged or floor-supported structure comprising system components that brands, delineates, or draws attention to the exhibit below.

• Best Double-Deck Exhibit – Any exhibit incorporating a full or partial double-deck comprising an exhibit system.

• Best Tech Integration – Any exhibit that incorporates technology or multimedia to enhance the in-booth experience, assist the exhibitor in achieving or measuring success, convey key messages or demonstrate product offerings, or facilitate an activation or engagement.

• Best International Design – Any exhibit designed by an international exhibit provider and/or for an international trade show or event being held outside the United States.

• NEW! Best Self-Promoting Exhibit - Any exhibit designed by (and for) the exhibit provider or agency that produced it.

• Best Experiential Design - Any exhibit that includes experiential and/or immersive components, activities, etc. 

• NEW! Best Event Design - Any trade show or event whose design elements featured extensive use of system components. 

• Design Details: Eligible elements may include a specific demo or display, a particular activation or experience, a unique meeting room or reception desk, etc. Please note the detail you'd like judges to focus on in your entry.

• Best Student Design – Any realized or unrealized exhibit designed for use at a trade show, conference, event, etc. Entries must be designed with a specific exhibit system (Aluvision, BeMatrix, Classic, Octanorm, Skyline, etc.) and be realistically buildable. Entries must include a minimum of two renderings with at least one showing a full exterior view. This category is FREE to enter for university students or work completed as a student or intern within the last three years). Each student can enter up to three different exhibits, but only his/her/their highest-scoring exhibit will be eligible for an award (i.e. no individual student is eligible to win more than one award in this category). Student design entries must be submitted using the Student Design entry form at https://form.jotform.com/250165474496161. 

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Special Awards

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*Eligible entries are automatically considered for these awards, which do not require additional entry fees. Entries in the following categories are ineligible for the following Special Awards: Best Design Proposal and Best Student Design.

• Exhibit of the Year* - The entry that receives the highest cumulative score (core criteria) from our panel of judges. 

• Exhibit Provider of the Year* - The design and/or fabrication firm with the highest total score for all entries in the competition this year. This is a cumulative award, and points will be carried over from year to year, and reset to zero after winning. Contenders receive three points for every gold award, two points per silver, one point for every bronze, and a half point for each honorable mention.

• System of the Year* - The brand of exhibit system that receives the highest total score from our panel of judges. To accrue points, system providers must be listed among the branded systems used for the project on the initial entry forms. This is a cumulative award, and points will be carried over from year to year, and reset to zero after winning. Contenders receive three points for every gold award, two points per silver, one point for every bronze, and a half point for each honorable mention.

• Honorable Mention* – Up to five special award winners will be recognized for receiving the highest scores from among the entries that did not receive awards in another category. The number of awards presented will be based on the entries’ cumulative scores and at the judges’ discretion. 

• People’s Choice Award* – All finalists will be eligible for the People’s Choice Award. The three entries that receive the most votes from the public via voting pages on exhibitcitynews.com will be honored with gold, silver, and bronze awards in this category. These are the only awards selected by popular vote.

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Lifetime Achievement Award – TEDA's U.S. advisory board members will select one individual to honor with this year’s lifetime achievement award. This is a free nomination process, and anyone can nominate an individual (contact info@experientialdesignauthority.com for submission instructions). The winner will be selected based on their contribution and dedication to the exhibit industry, with a specific focus on the use, manufacture, innovation, design, or fabrication of system-based exhibits.

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TEDA reserves the right to combine or expand categories based on the quantity and quality of entries. If two categories are merged, the entries from both categories will be considered. If a category is eliminated altogether, entrants will have the choice of being refunded their entry fee or migrating their entry to a different category. TEDA also reserves the right to move entries into more suitable categories based on eligibility criteria and/or at judges' discretion. 

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Judging Criteria

Our expert panel evaluates submissions based on the following:

1. Concept/Design (20%)

2. Graphics/Messaging (20%)

3. Lighting/Multimedia (15%)

4. Execution/Fabrication (20%)

5. Overall Impact (25%)

 

Eligibility

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Exhibits that debuted at trade shows or events within the last three years are eligible (February 15, 2023 - February 15, 2026).​

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Submissions are open to agencies, designers, and brands worldwide who have developed system-based exhibits.

 

Participants benefit from:

• Constructive feedback and scores shared post-evaluation.

• Opportunities to gain global recognition via press releases, print and online content, and social media channels.

• Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards will be presented in each category (at judges' discretion), and each winner will receive one complimentary custom trophy. Additional trophies can be purchased following the awards ceremony.

 

Reasons to Enter

1. Low Entry Fees: TEDA Award entry fees are 20- to 40-percent lower than comparable competitions. We believe the purpose of the competition must be to honor the best work, not the best work from the firms who can afford to enter. Therefore, we keep our overhead costs low in order to ensure that cost is not a barrier to entry.

2. More Opportunities for Recognition: Instead of presenting just one award per category, TEDA presents Gold, Silver, and Bronze winners, essentially tripling your chances of earning recognition and exposure!

3. Impartial Oversight: While many awarding bodies accept advertising or sponsorship dollars from entrants, The Experiential Design Authority receives no revenue from ads or sponsors whatsoever, keeping the organization itself entirely objective and eliminating conflicts of interest.

4. Transparent Judging: Scores will be released following the announcement of winners. Additionally each entry’s highest and lowest scores are removed, eliminating the possibility of any one judge having undue impact on a given entry’s success. Finally, our judging panel is an exceptional all-star body of renowned professionals in the fields of architecture, experiential design, graphic design, etc. And no judge is allowed to serve on the same panel in back-to-back years.

5. A Worthy Cause: Profits from entry fees will go toward projects such as scholarships for students pursuing careers in experiential design, stipends for students completing internships at experiential design agencies, and recognition programs designed to help aspiring experiential designers establish their portfolios and earn credentials for their resumes.

6. Recognition and Exposure: Gold, silver, and bronze award winners receive one complimentary trophy per win (additional trophies may be ordered following the awards ceremony). Plus, winners will be featured on The Experiential Design Awards website and social channels, via press releases, at a live event in Las Vegas, in Exhibit City News, and at www.ExhibitCityNews.com and its social outlets. 

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Important Dates

 

The Call for Entries will be issued on January 13. The competition has three deadlines with different entry fees associated. The early-bird deadline is March 4 ($155), regular deadline is March 25 ($195), and late/final deadline is Apri 22 ($235). A two-day extension to April 24 may be granted, but only if requested in advance. Any exhibits entered in three or more categories will receive a $10 discount on applicable entry fees. Finalists will be notified on/around May 6, and announced publicly on May 13. People's Choice voting will run from May 13-June 1. Gold, Silver, and Bronze Award winners will be honored at an event hosted by Exhibit City News in Las Vegas in late July. 

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Student Design entries are due no later than midnight on Tuesday, April 28. Finalists will be notified on/around May 11. Finalists will receive travel stipends to attend the event in Las Vegas, and the top three winners will receive cash awards.