EIMA 2026 Recognises Excellence in Exhibition Stand Design

BKT, AMA Group and CNH Group emerge as winners in inaugural competition organised in partnership with Italy’s Association for Industrial Design.

BOLOGNA, Italy – EIMA International 2026 has recognised six exhibiting companies for outstanding exhibition stand design during the first edition of the EIMA Best Exhibition Stands Competition, organised by the Italian Association for Industrial Design (ADI) in collaboration with FederUnacoma.

The competition celebrated the growing importance of design, visual communication and creativity in shaping the experience of visitors at international agricultural machinery exhibitions.

Beyond showcasing machinery and technological innovations, EIMA has increasingly become a platform where exhibition design plays an important role in attracting visitors, communicating brand identity and creating engaging spaces for business interaction.

Three companies received top awards, while three others were recognised with special mentions following an assessment by a panel of experts in industrial design, visual communication, architecture and exhibition design.

BKT emerged among the winners for its well-coordinated architectural concept, which effectively guided visitor movement while integrating architectural features with digital displays.

AMA Group was recognised for its sophisticated stand design and strong visual appeal, which created an immersive experience for visitors. CNH Group also received an award for bringing its diverse business operations together through a unified design concept, using the impressive scale of its machinery as an integral part of the exhibition space.

The competition also awarded special mentions to Merlo, STIHL and Argo Tractors.

Merlo was recognised for its elegant stand structure, which made its latest products easily identifiable. STIHL received recognition for its consistent visual presentation and effective communication of the company's brand identity and heritage, while Argo Tractors was commended for placing machinery at the centre of its exhibition experience and making effective use of space to accommodate large equipment.

Speaking during the awards ceremony, FederUnacoma Director General Simona Rapastella highlighted the high standards of design and construction demonstrated by exhibitors at EIMA 2026, noting how these elements contribute to creating an engaging visual experience for visitors.

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Carlo Branzaglia, an ADI board member and lecturer in communication design, observed that trade exhibitions provide an important opportunity to appreciate the evolution of products and entire industries. He noted that EIMA has developed a visual appeal comparable to that of major international automotive exhibitions.

Wladimiro Bendandi, President of ADI Emilia-Romagna, emphasised that design goes beyond aesthetics, providing a practical approach to balancing form and function.

The judging panel was coordinated by Lorenzo Iuliano and Domenico Papaleo of FederUnacoma's Technical Department. It included experts in exhibition design, communication, visual design and architecture.

The awards ceremony was hosted by journalist and presenter Mario Bargi and marked a new addition to EIMA's programme, recognising the role of creativity and design in the agricultural machinery industry.

Following the successful introduction of the competition at the 2026 edition, organisers have confirmed that the initiative will return at the next EIMA International exhibition in November 2028.

The recognition reinforces EIMA's position not only as a major international platform for agricultural machinery and technology but also as an exhibition where innovation, functionality and design come together to shape the future of agricultural engineering.

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