Future Leaders Award
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$100 Submission Fee

The EDPA Future Leaders Program honors the best and brightest young professionals who are already making a difference with their day-to-day contributions and thought leadership.

To be considered for this honor, candidates must be:

• An EDPA member or work at an EDPA member company

• Sponsored by an EDPA Member Company and their leadership

• A non-C-Suite professional

• A leader or manager of people, projects, etc.

• Demonstrating professional characteristics as determined by the committee

• Under the age of 40 as of October 4, 2024

• Able to attend ACCESS to receive their award and participate in sessions

Please note, Future Leaders nominations should be made only by the company where the nominee works during the nomination timeframe. Each EDPA member company may only submit one nominee per year. The nominee’s company is responsible for sending the nominated Future Leader to ACCESS to accept their award, attend and participate in the event. 

Should you know someone who you think would be an excellent candidate for the Future Leader award that is outside of your organization, please reach out to that company’s HR department or that person’s manager/direct report to notify them and the reasons why.

The Hazel Hays Award
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No Fee

The Hazel Hays Award recognizes an individual for outstanding contribution to the experiential/exhibit industry overall.  The award is the highest honor bestowed by EDPA.

It was established in 1976 to honor Hazel Hays, an industry pioneer who rendered outstanding service to EDPA and promoted the exhibit industry as a whole. Hays was known as the “first lady of the exhibit industry” and was the first woman to serve on the EDPA board of directors.

The application must be completed and contain information documenting the nominee’s specific contributions and achievements in regards to:

• Made significant contributions to the knowledge and literature of the industry

• Made significant contributions the design or invention of material

• Made significant contributions to equipment-process or technical services

• Influenced the industry in a significant way

The nominee must be a member of EDPA. The application information will be used by the Awards Committee to determine the finalists. These finalists will be listed on a ballot and voted upon by the Selection Committee.

The Ambassador Award
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No fee

The Ambassador Award acknowledges an individual for outstanding service or contribution to EDPA and the industry.  Specifically, an EDPA member that has gone above and beyond to promote and participate in EDPA’s engagements and good works.

The application must be completed and contain summary information documenting the nominee’s specific contributions and achievements to EDPA.

The nominee must be a member of EDPA. The application information will be used by the Awards Committee to determine the finalists. These finalists will be listed on a ballot and voted upon by the Selection Committee.

Designer of the Year
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No fee

The Designer of the Year Award acknowledges a designer who works diligently to enhance the professional standards of experiential/exhibit designers, contributes their talents, creativity and personal time to bring innovation to experiential/exhibit design.

The application must be completed and contain information documenting the nominee’s specific contributions and achievements in regards to:

• Role in design leadership

• Contributions to EDPA and its design focused programs

• Thought leadership in the experiential industry

The nominee must be a member of EDPA. The application information will be used by the Awards Committee to determine the finalists. These finalists will be listed on a ballot and voted upon by the Selection Committee.

EDDIE Awards
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$175 fee per entry (may enter multiple categories)

The EDDIE Awards recognize outstanding creative achievements for self-promotion within the experiential/event industry across six categories: 

• Sustainability (effort your company has made to reduce your impact to the environment)

• Small Exhibits (exhibit space)

• 20 x 20 or Larger (exhibit space)

• Print Matter Campaign (advertising, promotional material, direct mail, etc.)

• Online or Multi-Media (website, video, email, etc.)

• Best End-to-End Customer Experience (integrated campaign across channels)

The Eddie awards are judged solely on the self-promotion of a company not on the promotion of a client.   The nominee must be a member of EDPA. The application information will be used by the Awards Committee to determine the finalists. These finalists will be listed on a ballot and voted upon by the Selection Committee.

2023 EDDIE Award Winners

Chapter of the Year

The Chapter of the year Award acknowledges an outstanding chapter for their diligence and hard work in promoting EDPA, and its innovative ways in forging ahead as a chapter. EDPA Chapters are evaluated based on the following categories:

• Membership

• Programming

• Fund-Raising

• Student Assistance

• National Programs

• Promotion

• Chapter Web Site

• Enthusiasm and Creativity

Chapter of the Year is determined by evaluation across categories of individual chapter presentations by the Awards Committee.

2023 Chapter of the Year Winners

International Collaboration Award
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No fee (EDPA International membership required)

The International Collaboration Award recognizes companies which have, through their membership in the EDPA, formed international partnerships to deliver outstanding work for their clients within an international format. 

Composed entries within the categories should include:

• Partner companies involved (both companies must be members of EDPA)

• Challenges

• Target audience

• Collaborative solutions implemented

• Important factors in your collaboration

• Team members who should be recognized

The nominees must be members of EDPA and at least one of the companies an International EDPA member. The application information will be used by the Awards Committee to determine the finalists. These finalists will be listed on a ballot and voted upon by the Selection Committee.