The finalists for this year’s EN Indy Awards have been confirmed. Find out who’s in the running ahead of the ceremony at Bloomsbury Big Top on 3 December.
The wait is over. The shortlist for the EN Indy Awards 2026 is here, and it’s one of the strongest line-ups yet.
This year’s finalists show why independent organisers matter so much to the exhibition industry. They’re launching new events, growing established shows and taking their brands into new markets, all without big-group backing.
View the full 2026 shortlist here
From bold launches to global growth
Brand-new shows have arrived with a bang, established events have scaled up, and organisers have taken their portfolios overseas. Across the shortlist, independents are competing with, and often outperforming, the biggest names in the industry.
The categories cover the full range of the independent sector, from Best Independent Show Launch and the Scale-Up Award to the Global Expansion Award and the David & Goliath Award. Trade Show of the Year has three categories split by size, alongside Consumer Show of the Year and Content Programme of the Year.
Celebrating the people behind the shows
The awards also recognise the teams and individuals who make independent events happen. That includes event directors, marketing, commercial and operations teams, start-up organisers and employers building great places to work.
The suppliers and venues that support the independent community have their own categories too, recognising the partners organisers rely on to deliver standout events.
Want to know who made the cut? See all the finalists on the 2026 shortlist
What happens next
The finalists will now be judged by a panel of senior figures from across the independent exhibition and events industry. The winners will be revealed at the EN Indy Awards on 3 December at Bloomsbury Big Top.
Congratulations to everyone who has made the shortlist. Whether you’re a finalist, a supporter or just want to be in the room when the independents celebrate, make sure you’re there on the night.
