Expertise meets diversity: the jury for the BrandEx Award 2026 has been announced

The renowned award for successful live communication and outstanding brand architecture is picking up speed – the jury members for the EVENT and ARCHITECTURE categories have been announced.

A total of 22 high-profile experts from the industry take on the responsible task of evaluating creative projects with a view to innovation, strategic clarity and design excellence.

Dortmund, 04.07.2025 Whether – from agencies, companies or institutions: the members of the new BrandEx jury bring a wide variety of perspectives to the table. Together, they combine sound specialist knowledge, creative impulses and extensive experience in live communication.

Strong expertise, diverse members – the 2026 jury at a glance

22 experts evaluate the submitted projects in the EVENT and ARCHITECTURE categories with a view to innovation, strategic clarity and design excellence.

In the EVENT segment:

• Bouya K. Ndombasi (b.seen GmbH)
• Detlef Wintzen (Leading Creative Consultant)
• Jörg Willhauck (CropEnergies AG)
• Konstanze Agatz-Kröger (Freelance Show Director)
• Michael Veidt-Molzberger (FEDERFREI)
• Nora Dau (COVESTRO DEUTSCHLAND AG)
• Patric Schmidt (Satis&Fy AG)
• Pia Leimke (American Express GBT)
• Ron Schneider (SCHACHZUG – Agency for Brand Communication GmbH)
• Sandra Hülsebus (Am Start Events GmbH)
• Tobias Stupeler (Freelance Creative Director)

In the ARCHITECTURE division:

• Christian Gottwald (AVANTGARDE Management GmbH)
• Florian Teichmeister (Mini / BMW AG)
• Joerg Thommes (GROSSE8 – Visuelle Kommunikation GmbH & Co. KG)
• Katharina Uhr (planworx GmbH)
• Marc Lauckhardt (Holtmann GmbH & Co. KG)
• Marco Hückel (facts and fiction GmbH)
• Michaela Kruse (MIKS GmbH)
• Sonja Reddig (OVAL Germany GmbH)
• Timm Wilks (Schmidhuber Brand Experience GmbH)
• Torsten Heinze (Czarnowski GmbH)
• Wayra Albertz (freelance designer and consultant)

This means that the jury for the BrandEx Award 2026 has a broad range of expertise and represents a diverse spectrum of current perspectives in the industry. All information on the jury members can be found atBrandEx 2026 Jury

New category sets an example for fairness

The 2026 competition will be supplemented by the special category SPECIAL / fairest customer of the last year and a half. Here, agencies and service providers can nominate companies that have distinguished themselves through particularly cooperative behavior and appreciative collaboration. Participation is free of charge, confidential and uncomplicated. The most frequently nominated companies are honored.

Application phase is underway – submit now

Projects can be submitted for the BrandEx Award 2026 until August 31, 2025. All companies in the event industry and stakeholders, agencies, event organizers, clients and students who would like to present their outstanding work in the EVENT, ARCHITECTURE, SPECIAL and FRESH categories are eligible to enter.

Award ceremony at BOE INTERNATIONAL

The winners of the BrandEx Award 2026 will be announced on January 14, 2026 at BOE INTERNATIONAL, the industry get-together for creative minds from the entire event industry, in Dortmund. All information about the BrandEx Award 2026, the categories and how to enter can be found at BrandEx Award