TSNN names first EXHIEs exhibitor excellence winners

TSNN unveiled the inaugural EXHIEs awards at Connect Marketplace in Tampa, recognizing exhibitor excellence across booth design, engagement, technology and overall show-floor performance. The program will continue at LongevityFest in Las Vegas in December.

Why it matters: - The EXHIEs create a new industry-wide benchmark for exhibitor performance across trade shows and event categories. - The awards put exhibitor experience on the same stage as attendee experience, with recognition tied to what happens on the show floor. - Winners also receive added education and consulting value through The Exhibitor Advocate partnership, including a complimentary membership package valued at $1,200.

What happened: - TSNN presented the inaugural EXHIEs awards at Connect Marketplace, held Aug. 24-26 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. - The program recognized exhibitor excellence across small, medium and large booth categories. - Judges evaluated entries on Day 1 of the show, and winners received certificates for display in their booths on Day 2. - TSNN said the awards assess booth design, attendee engagement, technology and best-in-show performance.

The details: - Small booths covered 10x10 spaces. - Medium booths covered 10x20 to 20x20 spaces. - Large booths covered 30x30 spaces and larger. - Evaluation criteria included creativity and design, technology and innovation, attendee engagement, alignment with event themes, and overall excellence. - TSNN VP of Content Danica Tormohlen said the launch took place on the show floor so exhibitor excellence could be recognized where it happens. - TSNN Strategic Director Kim Collie thanked Connect for supporting the awards program and congratulated exhibit managers for bringing creative concepts to life. - The Exhibitor Advocate will give EXHIEs winners complimentary membership and education access valued at $1,200. - Winners also get 1:1 direct consultation with Advocates, access to more than 150 resources and tools, and exclusive research including the Annual Survey of Exhibition Rates and the Exhibitor Sentiment Report.

The winners: - Small booths: Wicked won Best Booth Design; WITS Experiential won Most Engaging Experience; SpotMyPhotos won Best Use of Technology; Wabii Branding won Best in Show. - Small-booth finalists included SPL, Wabii Branding, Brand Makers and EventCreate LTD. - Medium booths: Visit Albuquerque won Best Booth Design; Interactive Entertainment Group won Most Engaging Experience; SmartSource won Best Use of Technology; Visit Detroit won Best in Show. - Medium-booth finalists included Turning Stone Enterprises, Arkansas Tourism, Visit Fort Worth, Visit Wichita, TLC Worldwide and PlayTech Interactive. - Large booths: Experience Scottsdale won Best Booth Design; MatchPoint won Most Engaging Experience; Visit Milwaukee won Best Use of Technology; Visit Tampa Bay won Best in Show.

Between the lines: - TSNN is using the EXHIEs to formalize exhibitor recognition in a category that often gets less public attention than attendee or organizer awards. - The partnership with The Exhibitor Advocate adds a practical support component, not just a trophy, which may help the program build credibility with exhibitors. - The wide spread of winners across tourism boards, service vendors and experiential firms suggests the awards are meant to reward booth execution across different exhibitor types.

What's next: - TSNN will present the EXHIE Awards again at LongevityFest, scheduled for Dec. 11-13 at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas. - LongevityFest is organized by the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M). - TSNN directed inquiries about the EXHIE Awards to Kim Collie.

The bottom line: - TSNN is turning exhibitor excellence into a formal awards category, with the first winners now set and the program already expanding to its next trade show.