AWARDS
Honorable Mentions 2025
The four events that received Corporate Event Award honorable mention nods from our panel of design experts not only turned heads, but drove engagement and created delight among attendees.
Video: Workiva Inc.
Workiva 10 Year IPO Anniversary
Category: Nontraditional Event
Creative/Production Agency: Workiva Inc., workiva.com
Budget: $400,000 – $499,000
When Workiva Inc. marked its decade-long New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) journey, it planned a bell-ringing ceremony that brought together more than 100 of its most valued stakeholders at the epicenter of global finance.
The May 2024 celebration transformed the NYSE into a hub of corporate storytelling, complete with a massive 37-by-72-foot banner showcasing customer success stories and a custom-wrapped double-decker bus. But this wasn't just another corporate milestone. Workiva turned it into a multichannel spectacle that generated more than 10 million impressions across various platforms.
The event struck a perfect balance between high-profile publicity and intimate connection, featuring an exclusive “Dining & Discourse” gathering for 15 key customers plus Workiva executives. Meanwhile, the company's global presence was maintained through 10 watch parties across international offices, engaging 584 virtual attendees.
In true Workiva fashion, even the swag had sustainability in mind. That impressive NYSE banner? It found new life as 768 reusable bags for customers and employees.
The celebration not only honored Workiva's past but also positioned the company for its future in assured integrated reporting, proving that sometimes the best way to ring in success is by literally ringing the bell.
Category: Nontraditional Event
Creative/Production Agency: Workiva Inc., workiva.com
Budget: $400,000 – $499,000
When Workiva Inc. marked its decade-long New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) journey, it planned a bell-ringing ceremony that brought together more than 100 of its most valued stakeholders at the epicenter of global finance.
The May 2024 celebration transformed the NYSE into a hub of corporate storytelling, complete with a massive 37-by-72-foot banner showcasing customer success stories and a custom-wrapped double-decker bus. But this wasn't just another corporate milestone. Workiva turned it into a multichannel spectacle that generated more than 10 million impressions across various platforms.
The event struck a perfect balance between high-profile publicity and intimate connection, featuring an exclusive “Dining & Discourse” gathering for 15 key customers plus Workiva executives. Meanwhile, the company's global presence was maintained through 10 watch parties across international offices, engaging 584 virtual attendees.
In true Workiva fashion, even the swag had sustainability in mind. That impressive NYSE banner? It found new life as 768 reusable bags for customers and employees.
The celebration not only honored Workiva's past but also positioned the company for its future in assured integrated reporting, proving that sometimes the best way to ring in success is by literally ringing the bell.
VIDEO: Amy Tolbert / Black Cat Photos
Dell Technologies World 2024
Category: User Conference
Creative/Production Agency: InVision Communications Inc., iv.com
Budget: $5 million or more
In a world where AI can take a back seat to human interaction, Dell Technologies Inc. flipped the script. At Dell Technologies World 2024, artificial intelligence didn't just share the spotlight; it orchestrated an entire symphony of experiences that transformed The Venetian in Las Vegas into an AI-powered wonderland, drawing 10,000 in-person attendees and garnering a staggering 15 million digital broadcast views.
The event's centerpiece, dubbed The Village, reimagined traditional conference spaces with a revolutionary circular design that turned mundane hallway queues into opportunities for serendipitous connections. Here, attendees could snap AI-generated headshots, contribute to spontaneous AI-created videos, or even groove to AI-composed music.
But it wasn't all algorithms and analytics. The Village buzzed with distinctly human touches, from adrenaline-pumping McLaren Formula 1 experiences to collaborative building sessions with a renowned brick master. Even puppies made an appearance, proving that while AI might be the future, there's nothing quite like furry face-to-face connections.
The results? Engagement skyrocketed 114 percent year- over-year across sessions, labs, and expert consultations, while hosted meetings and meetups jumped 15 percent. Rather than letting AI bask alone in the spotlight, Dell Technologies used it to spotlight meaningful human interaction.
Category: User Conference
Creative/Production Agency: InVision Communications Inc., iv.com
Budget: $5 million or more
In a world where AI can take a back seat to human interaction, Dell Technologies Inc. flipped the script. At Dell Technologies World 2024, artificial intelligence didn't just share the spotlight; it orchestrated an entire symphony of experiences that transformed The Venetian in Las Vegas into an AI-powered wonderland, drawing 10,000 in-person attendees and garnering a staggering 15 million digital broadcast views.
The event's centerpiece, dubbed The Village, reimagined traditional conference spaces with a revolutionary circular design that turned mundane hallway queues into opportunities for serendipitous connections. Here, attendees could snap AI-generated headshots, contribute to spontaneous AI-created videos, or even groove to AI-composed music.
But it wasn't all algorithms and analytics. The Village buzzed with distinctly human touches, from adrenaline-pumping McLaren Formula 1 experiences to collaborative building sessions with a renowned brick master. Even puppies made an appearance, proving that while AI might be the future, there's nothing quite like furry face-to-face connections.
The results? Engagement skyrocketed 114 percent year- over-year across sessions, labs, and expert consultations, while hosted meetings and meetups jumped 15 percent. Rather than letting AI bask alone in the spotlight, Dell Technologies used it to spotlight meaningful human interaction.
VIDEO: Physician Resources, LLC
Physician Resources LLC: DERM2024 NP/PA CME Conference
Category: Private Trade Show
Creative/Production Agency: Physician Resources LLC, physicianresources.org
Budget: $750,000 – $999,000
When Physician Resources LLC set out to create its 2024 DEF Essential Resource Meeting (DERM), the medical communications company channeled its inner Marvel Studios to transform dermatology nurse practitioners and physician assistants into certified superheroes.
The Las Vegas conference embraced the tagline “Derm heroes are not born ... they're trained,” weaving superhero elements into every touchpoint. From Marvel-inspired educational recaps featuring dermatological takes on Avengers to themed Coca-Cola cans and custom artwork, no detail was too small for this mighty production.
The superhero strategy attracted 850 attendees — a 20-percent increase over 2023. The exhibit hall buzzed with energy as more than 60 exhibitors donned costumes and created themed experiences, generating 1,533 leads and more than 323,000 sponsor impressions. Digital engagement soared with 2,919 community board messages and 1,800 social-media interactions through the exclusive meeting app.
A highlight included live digital artist captures of educational sessions by Ink Factory, while gamification elements like “Is knowledge your super power?” trivia kept people engaged. The approach resonated deeply, achieving a 97-percent satisfaction rate and prompting one attendee to declare, “This is the best CME event I've ever attended.”
Category: Private Trade Show
Creative/Production Agency: Physician Resources LLC, physicianresources.org
Budget: $750,000 – $999,000
When Physician Resources LLC set out to create its 2024 DEF Essential Resource Meeting (DERM), the medical communications company channeled its inner Marvel Studios to transform dermatology nurse practitioners and physician assistants into certified superheroes.
The Las Vegas conference embraced the tagline “Derm heroes are not born ... they're trained,” weaving superhero elements into every touchpoint. From Marvel-inspired educational recaps featuring dermatological takes on Avengers to themed Coca-Cola cans and custom artwork, no detail was too small for this mighty production.
The superhero strategy attracted 850 attendees — a 20-percent increase over 2023. The exhibit hall buzzed with energy as more than 60 exhibitors donned costumes and created themed experiences, generating 1,533 leads and more than 323,000 sponsor impressions. Digital engagement soared with 2,919 community board messages and 1,800 social-media interactions through the exclusive meeting app.
A highlight included live digital artist captures of educational sessions by Ink Factory, while gamification elements like “Is knowledge your super power?” trivia kept people engaged. The approach resonated deeply, achieving a 97-percent satisfaction rate and prompting one attendee to declare, “This is the best CME event I've ever attended.”
VIDEO: Drew Anthony Smith
Workhuman LIVE
Category: Customer Conference/Event
Creative/Production Agency: Sparks Marketing LLC, wearesparks.com
Budget: $1 – $1.9 million
Information overload has become HR's constant companion, leaving professionals drowning in urgent tasks. But at Workhuman Live 2024, held at the Austin Convention Center, attendees discovered a revolutionary antidote: the power of strategic pause and purposeful focus.
Hosted by Globoforce Inc. (dba Workhuman), the event's theme, “Focus,” wasn't just clever branding; it permeated every aspect of the three-day experience, from keynote presentations to interactive zones on the show floor. The conference offered a strategic respite for more than 2,700 attendees, helping them shift from reacting to engaging in long-term planning.
The results were remarkable. Despite a 20-percent reduction in promotional budget, attendance soared 80 percent, with an impressive 93 percent attendance rate. The event generated more than 550 on-site meetings for the Workhuman sales team — a 47-percent increase from 2023 — influencing more than $100 million in new pipeline and closed client renewals.
But perhaps the most telling result was the dramatic shift in attendee satisfaction. The event's Net Promoter Score went up by 152 percent, while brand NPS jumped from -16 pre-event to +24 post-event. With 92 percent of attendees reporting feeling inspired and 87 percent leaving with actionable ideas, Workhuman Live 2024 showed that real momentum comes from reflection and focus on the things that truly drive success.
Category: Customer Conference/Event
Creative/Production Agency: Sparks Marketing LLC, wearesparks.com
Budget: $1 – $1.9 million
Information overload has become HR's constant companion, leaving professionals drowning in urgent tasks. But at Workhuman Live 2024, held at the Austin Convention Center, attendees discovered a revolutionary antidote: the power of strategic pause and purposeful focus.
Hosted by Globoforce Inc. (dba Workhuman), the event's theme, “Focus,” wasn't just clever branding; it permeated every aspect of the three-day experience, from keynote presentations to interactive zones on the show floor. The conference offered a strategic respite for more than 2,700 attendees, helping them shift from reacting to engaging in long-term planning.
The results were remarkable. Despite a 20-percent reduction in promotional budget, attendance soared 80 percent, with an impressive 93 percent attendance rate. The event generated more than 550 on-site meetings for the Workhuman sales team — a 47-percent increase from 2023 — influencing more than $100 million in new pipeline and closed client renewals.
But perhaps the most telling result was the dramatic shift in attendee satisfaction. The event's Net Promoter Score went up by 152 percent, while brand NPS jumped from -16 pre-event to +24 post-event. With 92 percent of attendees reporting feeling inspired and 87 percent leaving with actionable ideas, Workhuman Live 2024 showed that real momentum comes from reflection and focus on the things that truly drive success.
Editorial
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Exhibitor Q & A
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Ask Dan
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Exhibiting 101
Fold the Folding Chair
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Fuel
Ideas That Work
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Products
New Tools
Three Can't-Miss Product Launches
Fixing Snafus
Rolling with It
Even the most well-oiled machines can lose their marbles under the high pressure of trade show setup.
Archive
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Quiz
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True Story
Kenvue Inc. raised its media profile with an event that told its story with the verve of a bestseller.
Event Awards
Honorable Mentions 2025
The four events that received Corporate Event Awards honorable mention nods from our panel of design experts.
Insight
Belonging by Design
Storycraft Lab Founder and CEO Naomi Clare Crellin says storytelling is essential to our identities.
Photo Gallery
Under the Big Top
The European Union's exhibit for the largest literary event in Latin America needed to represent the EU as a whole.
Research
Budget Breakdown
How the Exhibiting Dollar Is Spent