by Lisa Abrams and Debbie Hall
ExhibitorLIVE 2026, held in Tampa, Florida, marked its greatest success across the tradeshow world. This event gave the biggest opportunity of the year for the entire industry to gather, exchange ideas, and feel a sense of community. Deals were made during the event, and attendees could share experiences and challenges, explore solutions, and discuss how the industry has evolved.
The Tampa Convention Center, with floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing a stunning waterfront backdrop with beautiful weather, set the stage for a high-level, international audience ready to learn and network. From the moment attendees arrived, the week was filled with memorable experiences that fostered networking and showcased industry excellence.
We had a great time at Exhibitor Live. EDPA was on the floor with many of our member companies. We heard very positive feedback from folks, and there was a lot of good energy. It’s always great to connect with our community. We also had our EDPA Foundation University Affiliations booth, showcasing portfolios from FIT and BSU students. The students noted there was more traffic to their booth than ever before,” said Dasher Lowe, the Executive Director of EDPA.
Diving into Connections
The festivities start on Sunday with an upscale event hosted by the Experiential Designers and Producers Association (EDPA). ENGAGE 2026 at the Florida Aquarium was one of many unforgettable experiences. This elegant celebration featured an exclusive aquarium tour followed by a cocktail reception, providing a sophisticated setting for attendees to connect. The blending of nature and networking created an unforgettable collaboration and creativity defines ExhibitorLIVE.
“We had a record number of people turn out for our engagement. We had over 280 of our members attending, and it was a great evening of fun and reconnecting with everyone before the show launched on Monday,” stated Lowe.
On Monday evening, ExhibitorLIVE featured a special networking event for first-time attendees. The welcoming environment enabled newcomers to build meaningful relationships. The energy carried through to the trade show floor the next day. After the general opening reception on the show floor, the International Federation of Exhibition & Event Services (IFES) hosted an invitation-only cocktail for international attendees and exhibitors. Paco Collazo, International Director of IFES, brought international attendees together, erasing borders, creating additional networking opportunities, and uniting the trade show community in an informal setting.
“For newcomers attending ExhibitorLIVE or similar events for the first time, my advice is to come with an open heart and an open mind. Be ready to share your industry knowledge, but also to receive. It is a valuable investment, and when you approach it with intention, you will leave with new connections, fresh insights, and real growth,” explained Leena Tran, Marketing Manager for Innovative Environments. “I had only attended ExhibitorLIVE when it was in Nashville back in 2024. This year, it was located in Tampa, which was a major plus because the weather was beautiful and everything was within walking distance of the convention center and hotel.”
That Tuesday evening, all of the chapters of the EDPA joined together in “Chapters Collide.” The event was a lively Cubano-themed celebration. With a seafood buffet, open bar, and festive dancing, the event incorporated culture and camaraderie. This celebration embodied the industry’s strong sense of community, offering a fun, relaxed environment for attendees to deepen connections beyond the tradeshow floor.
WIE’s Morning of Empowerment and Growth
On Wednesday morning, Women In Experiential (WIE) hosted its annual ExhibitorLIVE Breakfast, Connections Over Coffee, tagged “Networking that actually works.”
“We were honored to host our 8th annual Women In Experiential breakfast at ExhibitorLIVE this year. This gathering is a true reflection of the strength of our community, and we’re grateful for our ongoing partnership with ExhibitorLIVE to support meaningful conversations and elevate women across the industry,” said President of Women In Experiential, Maddie Ogren.
The keynote speaker, Selina Mullenax, CMP, CPCE, alongside Adrienne Fitzgerald of CORT Events, guided the participants by presenting speed networking strategies that covered:
- Vision Leadership
- Innovation and Industry Evolution
- Power Influence and Visibility
- Personal Growth and Stretch Moments
- Collaboration and Community
- Future Facing and Strategic Planning
There was a wild-card session in which participants were asked, “What’s a fear you learned to work with instead of trying to eliminate?” Her goal was to support and uplift women so they feel more confident, intentional, and empowered in building professional relationships. Mullenax emphasized that networking can often feel intimidating or transactional and sought to reframe it as something more human. “I see a future where women are not just participating in the industry but rather shaping it. We’re already seeing this as more women step into leadership roles and influence decision-making. The future is less about competition and more about collective progress,” said Mullenax.
She advised that the main qualities women should value in a professional connection are authenticity and consistency. Strong professional connections include listening, overcoming challenges, celebrating wins, and showing up even when there’s no immediate gain. According to Mullenax, generosity is critical to people’s willingness to make introductions or to advocate.
“Be open. Take opportunities that come up, even if they’re not 100 percent what you currently envision for your future. You never know what you’ll learn or who you’ll meet along the way. This industry is built on people and how you show up, follow up, and support others matters just as much as the skills you develop along the way,” added Mullenax.
BlueHive and Hamilton Take Top Awards at ExhibitorLIVE 2026
On the tradeshow floor, the booths embraced an imaginative and engaging approach with tradeshow professionals. ExhibitorLIVE 2026 presented the 13th annual Best of Show Awards, Portable/Modular Awards.
BlueHive Exhibits was awarded Best of Show Winner – Small Booth (200 square feet or smaller). The goal of BlueHive Exhibits was to create an experience that went beyond mere attention-grabbing.
“From concept and storytelling to digital, fabrication, and installation, we wanted attendees to experience the full scope of what BlueHive delivers from start to finish with true white-glove service,” said Dana Esposito, EVP Strategy of BlueHive Exhibits.
This experience from BlueHive Exhibits guided tradeshow and event managers through a journey to accomplish several goals at once.
“Equally important, we wanted to show that a small space can leave a strong impact and, of course, be memorable too. We designed the exhibit as an immersive excursion,” added Esposito. “At the center of the experience was a simple, low-cost, low-tech interactive moment demonstrating that data collection can be performed in different ways.”
Hamilton was awarded Best of Show for Large Booths (larger than 200 square feet), featuring hand-painted 2.5D details and a custom-embroidered bandana activation.
“Winning Best of Show for Large Booth is a reflection of the level of detail and care our team put into every part of Hamilton Outpost,” said President of Hamilton Courtney Soice. “That same attention to detail is what defines how we approach our clients’ programs every day, from initial strategy and creative concept through fabrication and on-site execution. This recognition reflects the consistency and care our team brings to every experience we create.”
Hamilton won the Student’s Choice Award for the third year in a row. “To be recognized by students three years in a row is something we don’t take lightly,” said Vice President – Creative Josh Frisbie. “That perspective matters. It tells us our work is not only standing out, but actually connecting with the next generation.”
Overall, ExhibitorLIVE 2026 masterfully combined education, celebration, and networking in a spectacular setting, highlighting emerging industry trends. The high-level programming, international presence, and thoughtfully designed social events underscored its role as a key platform for innovation, learning, and building lasting industry relationships.
ExhibitorLIVE 2027 will be held on February 14-18 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. It is sure to be an amazing event. Make sure to make your reservations early.
Photo courtesy of EDPA. Image featuring EDPA Chapter’s Collide.
