UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, is inviting exhibition organisers, venue operators, and service providers worldwide to have their work globally recognised by entering the 2026 UFI Awards.
This year’s six award categories were chosen by industry experts from the UFI Working Groups, reflecting the industry’s most relevant challenges and opportunities.
The 2026 award topics include:
Digital Innovation Award: Creating Better Event Experiences through Digital Innovation
People & Culture Award: Strengthening Internal Relationships and Collaboration
Industry Partners Award: The Biggest Lesson Learnt: From Zero to Hero
Marketing Award: Excellence in AI-Driven Marketing
Operations & Services Award: Operational Excellence Under Pressure
Sustainable Development Award: Best Carbon Reduction Initiative
The UFI Awards programme has been recognising best practices and outstanding achievements in the global exhibition industry since 2011.
The competition is free to enter and open to all exhibition professionals, whether or not they are UFI members. Organisations can apply in multiple categories, but the same project or show cannot be submitted for more than one category.
Chris Skeith OBE, UFI CEO & Managing Director, adds: “The UFI Awards celebrate the powerful ideas, initiatives, and innovations from our global community.
By showcasing these best practices, they encourage the exhibition industry to keep evolving, adapting, and building a more resilient future.
They provide a unique collaborative platform, where members share their successes & approaches which inspire others to evolve, helping to future-proof their businesses and our industry.”
Each year, UFI Award winners gain significant coverage in major international events industry publications. Winners and finalists are also featured on the UFI website’s Best Practices library to inspire peers and foster excellence across the exhibition industry.
Winners in each category will receive their awards at an official ceremony and present their initiatives during the 93rd UFI Global Congress, to be held in Bahrain from 2-5 November 2026. The UFI Global Congress is the exhibition industry’s most important annual gathering, with over 600 delegates from 47 countries and regions attending last year’s edition.
The deadline to submit an entry is 1 May 2026. To find detailed information about each 2026 UFI Award category, including how to apply, visit www.ufi.org/awards.
