World Expolympics Announces Global Judging Panel

June 18, 2025 — The Experiential Design Authority is proud to announce the 32 accomplished professionals selected to serve on the judging panel for the World Expolympics, honoring the most exceptional pavilions at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, Japan.

Spanning six continents and representing the forefront of architecture, exhibition design, cultural storytelling, and immersive brand experiences, the panel was curated to reflect global expertise and diverse creative perspectives.

The 32-member judging panel for The Experiential Design Authority's World Expolympics in Osaka, Japan.

The following 32 individuals will judge the 2025 World Expolympics (listed in alphabetical order by first name):

• Adrien Combelles, CEO, Listad; and Partner, The Good Experience, France

  
  

• Alejandro Blitstein, Former Owner, Dodecaedro Group, Argentina

  
  

• Alex Manresa, U.S. Director, ACCIONA Living and Culture, New York

  
  

• Axel von Hagen, Founder/Managing Partner, von Hagen Design, Germany

  
  

• Brena Baumle, Executive Director, Baumle Fairs, Brazil

  
  

• Dr. Carmelo Zappulla, CEO, External Reference, Spain

  
  

• Christina Lyons, Associate Professor & Chairperson, Graduate Exhibition & Experience Design, Fashion Institute of Technology, USA

  
  

• Edwin Van der Vennet, Chief Innovation Officer & Co-Owner, beMatrix, Belgium

  
  

• Ian Simpson, Principal, WATG, Singapore

  
  

• Isabel Lorenzo, CEO, Octaplan Arquitetura e Promocoes Ltda., Brazil

  
  

• James Inedu-George, Head of Design, HTLAfrica, Nigeria

  
  

• Jamie Manfield, Digital Design Director, 2LK, United Kingdom

  
  

• Javier Cardona, Chief Strategy Officer, Mobohubb, Colombia

  
  

• Kerem Oba, Founder Partner and General Manager, Capital Events Turkiye, Turkiye

  
  

• Maria Rosantina, Principal Architect, d-associates, Indonesia

  
  

• Maria-Amaya Ferrari, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Black Nova, Italy

  
  

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

  
  

• Mphethi Morojele, Founder and Architect, MMA Design Studio, South Africa

  
  

• Natalia Gurok, International Business Development, Wow Spaces, United Arab Emirates

  
  

• Nathalie Vandeweerdt, Chief Operating Officer, The Inside Standbouw, Netherlands

  
  

• Rohit Saraogi, Co-Founder and Director - Europe & USA, Design Desk, Poland

  
  

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

  
  

• Shimul Javeri Kadri, Principal Architect, SJK Architects, India

  
  

• Signe Byrdal Terenziani, Managing Director, 3daysofdesign, Denmark

  
  

• Smart Xu, Vice President, Lingtong Exhibition System Co. Ltd., China

  
  

• Steve Deckel, CTSM, CEO, Deckel & Moneypenny, USA

  
  

• Sue Kim, Head of Exhibition Strategy and Communication Department, AKEI, Korea

  
  

• Takhmina Turdialieva, Director, Tatalab, Uzbekistan

  
  

• Tran Thi Ngu Ngon, Co-Founder, Tropical Space, Vietnam

  
  

• Umaree Charnnarong, Executive Committee, Creative Business Development Director, Index Creative Village, Thailand

  
  

• Vickie Velji, Chief Experience Officer, Kubik, Canada

  
  

• Yinka Ilori, Creative Director & Founder, Yinka Ilori, United Kingdom

  
  

“These 32 visionary leaders represent the cutting edge of experiential design across disciplines and cultures,” said Travis Stanton, Executive Director of The Experiential Design Authority. “We are honored to have their expertise guiding the World Expolympics as we spotlight the best work on the global stage.” To see judges bios, click here.

About the World Expolympics

Hosted by The Experiential Design Authority, the World Expolympics celebrates the world’s most outstanding examples of experiential design at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, Japan, recognizing achievement in innovation, engagement, architecture, and storytelling.

For more information or to submit a pavilion entry, visit www.ExperientialDesignAuthority.com/world-expolympics.