The BrandEx Award 2027 enters the submission phase with a host of new features

The creative competition is entering its next phase: entries for the BrandEx Award 2027 are now being accepted. With new categories, refined judging criteria and an enhanced structure, the leading award for live communication and brand presentation is providing fresh impetus for the events industry.

Agencies, stand builders, event organisers, service providers and up-and-coming talent are invited to submit their most innovative projects and showcase forward-thinking approaches to live communication. The submission period runs until 31 August 2026.

Clear standards despite new impetus

Despite numerous innovations, key elements of the competition remain unchanged: in 2027, the BrandEx Award will continue to rely on the established two-stage submission process, and the submission fees will remain the same as last year. In the first phase, participants submit a one-pager and three illustrative images. For entries in the main EVENT category, proof of sustainable measures will also be mandatory – all three dimensions of sustainability will be assessed: social, environmental and economic.

New category for creator and community formats

With “Best Creator Event”, the BrandEx Award is expanding the main EVENT category to include a new sub-category. The award recognises live formats specifically developed with and for content creators, influencers and communities. The focus is on authentic brand experiences, the strategic delivery of content to digital communities, and the targeted digital extension of live experiences.

In addition, the content of existing EVENT categories has been revised and refined. These include, among others:
Best Brand Activation

• Best Live PR

• Best Motivation / Employee Event

• Best Corporate Event

• Best Conference

• Best Execution Event

• Best Event Formats

ARCHITECTURE becomes SPATIAL COMMUNICATION

A key change concerns the previous main category, ARCHITECTURE. This will now appear under the name SPATIAL COMMUNICATION, thereby reflecting the broader significance of spatial brand communication.

The category comprises seven sub-categories:

• Fair – Best Stand S

• Fair – Best Stand M

• Fair – Best Stand L

• Best Brand Spaces

• Best Thematic Exhibition

• Best Store Concept / Best Retail

• Smartest Solutions

With this rebranding, the focus is no longer solely on architectural design, but on the holistic communicative impact of spaces, brand worlds and experiential formats.

All information available online

All information regarding the terms and conditions, categories and the submission process is now available on the BrandEx website. The winners of the BrandEx Award 2027 will be announced at the awards ceremony in January 2027 in Dortmund – traditionally held in conjunction with boe international, the event industry’s key trade fair.