The Expo Awards launch: global awards for expos, events, conferences, summits and festivals, and the people behind them

The Expo Awards, the Expys, open for their first year in 2027. Expos, events, conferences, summits and festivals, from tattoo conventions and anime expos to mining shows, industry conferences and music festivals, will be decided by public vote in seven regions: USA East & Canada, USA Central & West, the UK and Ireland, Europe, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand, and Asia. One winner per award in every region. One show is named the Global Expo of the Year, decided by public vote and announced at The Virtual Awards Night, and becomes an EXPY Icon.

The Expys are voted by the audience. Attendees, exhibitors and colleagues nominate the shows and the people they rate, one nomination per confirmed email. Entries are open and close 30 July 2027, the community vote runs from 27 September 2026 and closes with entries, and the finalists are announced online on Monday 9 August 2027. Winners are announced online at The Virtual Awards Night, streamed.

Alongside the show awards are nineteen awards for the people who run shows and the creators who film them: Marketer, Planner, Media, Operations, Finance, Sales, Customer Service, Founder, Photographer, Videographer, Social, Best Panel Host, Best Awards Host, Woman in Events of the Year, Creator, Best Content Creator, Best Instagram Account, Best TikTok Account, Best YouTube Account. Each is entered by the person themselves, US$49, with their own page on expoawards.org and a card to share for votes.

Show entries are US$99 per event, supplier awards US$199 per category and organiser awards US$199. Every regional winner receives the Regional Winner badge, an article on expoawards.org, a press release and an interview.

The Expo Awards is an independent programme, run by Wiktis Pty Ltd.