THE EXPERIENTIAL DESIGN AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES ITS 2026/2027 U.S. ADVISORY BOARD

International Awards Body Assembles Powerhouse Panel of Experiential Marketing and Design Experts to Guide Its Global Competitions

The Experiential Design Authority — the international body overseeing global experiential design competitions honoring exhibits, events, expos, and immersive experiences — today announced the members of its 2026/2027 U.S. Advisory Board. The distinguished panel brings together more than three dozen accomplished professionals representing the full breadth of the experiential design industry, from exhibit houses, brand-side marketers, and creative agencies to academic institutions, industry associations, and immersive entertainment firms.

"We are incredibly proud of the caliber of professionals who have chosen to lend their expertise to The Experiential Design Authority," said Travis Stanton, Executive Director of The Experiential Design Authority. "This board represents the very best of our industry — practitioners who understand what great experiential design looks like and who are committed to recognizing and elevating that work on a global stage."

This year’s board welcomes three first-time advisors: Patrick Snee, Independent Creative Technologist; Phoebe Mathius, Creative Director, Exhibitus; and Rita Meno Price, Senior Vice President, Experiential Innovation, MC².

U.S. Advisory Board members serve a critical role within The Experiential Design Authority's competition ecosystem, judging TEDA’s various awards programs, weighing in on the organization’s direction, determining and weighting scoring criteria, etc. They also play a vital role in spreading awareness of the organization and its efforts to provide scholarships, travel and internship stipends, and recognition opportunities for aspiring experiential designers.

2026/2027 U.S. Advisory Board Members

The Experiential Design Authority is proud to name the following individuals to its 2026/2027 U.S. Advisory Board.

• Alex Hill, Vice President, Experiential Solutions, Taylor Corp.

• Al Mercuro, Strategic Marketing & Client Engagement Advisor, Genesis Exhibits

• Allison Saget, Author and Event Marketing Consultant, EventBLT

• Casey Baron, Director of Creative, Storylink Creative

• Christian Lachel, LEED AP, Chief Creative Officer, BRC Imagination Arts

• Christina Lyons, Professor & Chair, FIT Graduate Exhibition & Experience Design

• Christina Stoll, CTSM Diamond, CDMP, PCM, Former Senior Marketing Manager, Event Marketing, HD Supply

• Courtney Soice, Chief Marketing Officer, Hamilton

• Dana Esposito, Executive Vice President, Strategy, BlueHive Exhibits

• Dee Silfies, Principal, Knowledge Hub

• Dominique Cook, MBA, CTSM Diamond, Senior Meeting & Events Specialist, Boston Scientific

• Dr. Sachel Josefson, Associate Professor of Exhibit + Experience Design & Production, Bemidji State University

• Emma Bica, Certified High Performance Coach, Emma Bica Coaching

• Frank Jones, Experiential Producer, A Team Experiences

• Glenda Brungardt, CTSM Diamond, Former Global Event Manager, HP

• Jason Popp, President and CEO, Moss

• Jeannette Sanders, Vice President, Marketing & Strategy, 2020 Exhibits

• Jessica Sibila, CMP, CTSM, Executive Director, The Exhibitor Advocate

• John Pavek, Director of Partner Development, Willwork Global Event Services

• Katina Rigall Zipay, M.A., Creative Director, Classic Exhibits Inc.

• Liz Nacron, Partner, President of Creative and Production, Live Marketing

• Matt Jones, Founder, DXM Solutions

• Michael Vallone, Vice President, Creative and Brand, Hill & Partners

• Mike Denison, Head of Design, Smithsonian National Museum of American History

• Patrick Snee, Independent Creative Technologist

• Phoebe Mathius, Creative Director, Exhibitus

• Rita Meno Price, Senior Vice President, Experiential Innovation, MC²

• Don Schmid, MBA, CTSM Gold, CME-H, Former Global Congresses Lead, Pfizer Corp.

• Stephen Ross, Vice President, Executive Creative Director, Access TCA

• Stephanie Chavez, CTSM, Founder & CEO, Verity Media Partners

• Steve Deckel, CTSM, CEO, Deckel & Moneypenny

• Steve Riches, CEO & Principal, Laguna Displays

Competitions Overseen by The Experiential Design Authority

The U.S. Advisory Board will help guide and judge three signature competition programs:

The BOSS Awards — Best of Show recognition for standout exhibits, events, and experiential environments at specific events such as the International Consumer Electronics Show

The ExSys Awards — Honoring excellence across more than 20 categories in experiential design and execution using system-based components

The World Expolympics — An international competition spotlighting the finest work on display at world expos around the globe

The Experiential Design Authority is also home to an International Advisory Board comprising leading experiential designers, architects, and marketers from more than a dozen different countries. Stay tuned for the official announcement of the 2026/2027 International Advisory Board later this month.

About The Experiential Design Authority

The Experiential Design Authority is an international body dedicated to providing affordable, unbiased, and wholly transparent recognition opportunities for experiential marketers and designers worldwide. Founded and led by Travis Stanton — originator of the Portable/Modular Awards, World Expo Awards, Find It – Top 40, Centers of Excellence, EuroShop Awards, Best of CES, and ISE Stand Design Awards — The Experiential Design Authority refuses paid advertising and sponsorship to preserve the integrity of its competitions. Entry fees are kept at least 20 percent below comparable programs, and the organization directs net profits from entry fees toward scholarships, student design competitions, and travel/internship stipends.

For more information, to submit an entry, or to inquire about board membership, visit www.experientialdesignauthority.com or contact info@experientialdesignauthority.com.