Blending professional insight, industry recognition, and 1920s-themed celebratory entertainment, the second annual ExSys Awards returns on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. Presented by Exhibit City News (ECN) and The Experiential Design Authority (TEDA) at Moss Inc. headquarters in Franklin Park, Illinois, the awards ceremony will cap off a busy week of tradeshow industry events in Chicago.
Created by TEDA, the ExSys Awards honor excellence in system-based exhibit design and execution, with more than 200 entries received from exhibit designers, producers, and manufacturers across the United States, Europe, and Australia. Finalists will be recognized across multiple categories, with top winners receiving gold, silver, and bronze awards, and the highest-scoring project earning the 2026 ExSys Exhibit of the Year title. Additionally, finalists in the Best Student Design category will receive $4,000 in cash prizes.
Event Details
📍 Location: Moss Inc. Headquarters
10501 Seymour Avenue, Suite 200
Franklin Park, IL 60131
📅 Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Theme: 1920’s Speakeasy
🕓 Schedule:
- 5:00 p.m. – Press Registration and Arrival
- 5:30 p.m. – Doors Open and Networking Hour
- 6:30 p.m. – Industry Insights Panel
- 7:00 p.m. – Dinner by Indulge Catering
- 7:30 p.m. – ExSys Awards Presentation
- 8:30 p.m. – Live Entertainment featuring Skinny Williams
Panel Discussion:
Topic: Forecasting the Future
Description: Change comes for every industry, regardless of if it is welcome. What are the ways that tradeshow professionals are approaching the future of the industry? Government restrictions, political climates, and new economic realities are creating new challenges. The ecosystem is diversifying not just with younger voices but professionals from other industries. How do we evolve, thrive, and find the next great idea?
Moderated by ECN and TEDA, the Forecasting the Future Panel will feature:
Event Emcees:
- Marlena Sullivan – ECN
- Travis Stanton – TEDA
Additional Highlights:
- Open beer and wine bar
- Live Jazz entertainment by Skinny Williams
- Live typewriter poetry by Kay Kroger
- A specialty photobooth designed by Moss
- Presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award and People’s Choice Awards
- Student Design finalists from Bemidji State University and the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in attendance
Swag Bag:
- All attendees get a free bag that includes
- A complimentary copy of ECN’s Quarter 3 2026 magazine
- A gift from The Experiential Design Authority
- Buy the upgraded bag for $20. It includes:
- A complimentary copy of ECN’s Quarter 3 2026 magazine
- A gift from The Experiential Design Authority
- A gift from the EDPA Midwest Chapter
- A commemorative gift from Exhibit City News to remember the event
- A commemorative souvenir from The Experiential Design Authority
- And more…
Sponsors:
SILVER
BRONZE
Supporting Sponsors:
Tickets & Registration:
🎟️ Reserve your spot now:
https://exsysawards2026.eventbrite.com/
About Exhibit City News
Founded in 1994, Exhibit City News is the premier publication covering the tradeshow industry. With in-depth reporting, expert analysis, and a strong online and print presence, ECN continues to be the trusted resource for show floor professionals, exhibitors, and event organizers.
About The Experiential Design Authority (TEDA):
TEDA is dedicated to celebrating and elevating system-based exhibit design through professional development, student engagement, and international recognition.
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