Oak View Group, venue management for the Owensboro Convention Center, is proud to announce that Exhibitor Group has named the venue a 2026 Centers of Excellence Award winner. This prestigious accolade from Exhibitor Group, which produces both EXHIBITOR magazine and Find It Marketplace, the buyer’s guide to trade show products and services, launched this initiative to identify and recognize the best convention centers for trade shows and events.
“We’re honored to be recognized among the nation’s top convention centers. Our team takes pride in creating seamless experiences for clients and guests, with attention to every detail that makes events successful,” said Jeff Esposito, General Manager of the Owensboro Convention Center.
Applicants were evaluated based on a wide variety of criteria in five primary areas:
- Facility & Functionality
- Location & Accommodations
- Service & Execution
- Expansions & Upgrades
- and finally, Honors & Awards
Key to the evaluation was a survey of event organizers and exhibit managers who recently experienced events within each facility, as well as a review of entrants’ event spaces, selling points, nearby attractions, and innovations, conducted by a panel of corporate exhibit managers. The highest-scoring entries earned the distinction of being named among EXHIBITOR Magazine’s 2026 Centers of Excellence.
“The Centers of Excellence Awards allows exhibit managers to identify exhibitor-friendly venues that make their experiences at trade shows and events smooth and successful,” said Emily Olson, editor of EXHIBITOR magazine, noting that everything from the number and size of the bays on the loading dock to the cost and quality of internet service can significantly impact exhibitors’ experiences. “The facilities on this list have proven their ability to host trade shows and events of all sizes while providing world-class service and state-of-the-art accommodations.”
The winning venues are featured in a special supplement in October/November issue of EXHIBITOR, as well as on the online portal that enables face-to-face marketers to quickly and easily research potential event venues and learn more about the convention centers hosting the trade shows and exhibitions on their annual calendars.