The Expys launches: a global awards platform for exhibitions and events, entrepreneurs and executives

MELBOURNE, Australia, 29 September 2026. Australian Exhibitions and Media (AEM), the Melbourne organiser behind the Australian Tattoo Expo, LoveX, Babylon Live and the Tech and Gadget Expo, today launched The Expys, a global awards platform recognising the people behind exhibitions and events, the entrepreneurs who build businesses and the executives who lead them. Nominations, entries and the public vote for the inaugural 2027 season are open now at expys.org.

The Expys brings three programmes under one house. The Expo Awards recognise the shows, organisers, suppliers and exhibitors of the exhibitions and events industry, voted by the audiences they serve. The Executive Awards recognise the leaders of organisations, voted by the people they lead. The Entrepreneur Awards recognise founders, by industry and by stage of the journey. The 2027 season is open to entrants in Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Canada and the United Arab Emirates.

Every award is decided by a free public vote: one verified vote per person, confirmed by email, with no judging panel. Nominating is free. Sponsors do not vote and do not see the count, and no entry fee or partnership buys a place among the finalists or a result. Entries and the vote close on 30 July 2027 in every region. Finalists are announced four weeks before the winners, who are revealed online at The Virtual Awards Night, streamed to anyone who registers to watch.

“Recognition is something people deserve, and it does good well beyond the person receiving it,” The Expys said in a statement. “The Expys gives the people who build businesses, lead organisations and stage the events the public enjoys a platform where that recognition is decided by the audiences they serve, not by a panel.”

The Expys plans to take the awards into live events around the world, and Australia’s launch event is being planned for 2027. AEM brings to the platform the experience of more than 50 exhibitions and events over 12 years, with more than 300,000 visitors through the doors and 3,000 exhibitors.

“Our ambition is a platform the industry trusts: transparent in how winners are chosen, and open to anyone whose work deserves to be seen,” the statement said.

Nominations, entries and voting are open at expys.org. The Expo Awards have their own home at expoawards.org.

The Expys 2027 season is open now. Entries and the vote close on 30 July 2027.

About The Expys: The Expys is a global awards platform for exhibitions and events, entrepreneurs and executives, produced by Australian Exhibitions and Media. Three programmes, the Expo Awards, the Executive Awards and the Entrepreneur Awards, run under one house, and every award is decided by a free public vote, one verified vote per person, never a judging panel. Be recognised. expys.org