Pittcon 2026 “Best of Show”

Best of Show Award Winners

Selected by the E3Exhibiting Effectiveness Evaluation Team
By Jefferson Davis and Katharine Chestnut, Diamond CTSM of Competitive Edge Training

Winners were selected based on careful examination of four important exhibiting criteria, and awards were presented to exhibits in the following categories:

The Best of Show awards were created to encourage and support the efforts of exhibitors who go above and beyond normal expectations to deliver outstanding exhibit experiences to our visitors.

Attention Grabbing: Exhibit design grabs visual attention of visitors. Use of color, lighting, imagery, A/V, motion, compliant sound, materials, and props.

Clear Value Proposition: Graphics and/or A/V clearly and visually communicate what the company offers and why visitors should be interested.

Interactive Visitor Experience: Products/services thoughtfully displayed in an appealing, interactive and informative manner, compelling visitors to engage.

Exhibit Staff Behaviors: Booth is staffed at the proper level, and behaviors are proactive and positive.

Congratulations to each winner for being selected as Best of Show!

Large Island Exhibits

Champion: VICI Valco Instruments

Honorable Mentions:

  • LabVantage Solutions

  • Shimadzu

VICI: Ran away with the large best of show contest with a striking exhibit design that was firing on all cylinders. Placed at the entry of the show, when you walked in you immediately saw the large cut out V with stuffed dogs within. Prominently seated below it was their live giant mascot named Grizzly. A very strong attraction device for any booth.

The high-quality exhibit was constructed by their own team and designed with metal, well lit graphic panels, and wood which added warmth to the exhibit.

Each of the solution centers were well placed, facing the aisles for easy access and used strong backlighting to present their solution’s feature and benefit messages. Right below each of the graphic panels were the products that were elegantly staged and easily accessible for attendees.

The booth staff did a great job of ensuring all areas of the booth were covered and proactively and quickly engaged visitors.

Small Island Exhibits

Champion: Elemental Scientific

Honorable Mentions:

  • SEAL Analytical

The large and well-lit tower immediately drew visitors’ eyes and communicated the various solutions being featured in the booth. The booth was open and easy to enter. On all four corners of the booth were active demonstrations that drew visitors’ attention.

One side of the booth had a large three-sided video display that drew attention and delivered product information. The booth staff proactively engaged visitors to help them learn about how their solutions can help improve their lab processes.

Inline Exhibits

Champion: Xylem Lab Solutions

Honorable Mentions:

  • Agilent
  • Metrohm
  • The Lee Company

Xylem won best small booth by combining several elements of effective exhibiting.

Their backlit exhibit property immediately branded the company and delivered quick read messaging, focusing on the solutions they provide for labs, and the various markets they serve. In the center of the booth was the new MultiLabPro IDS, which was elegantly staged and isolated to be a strong attractor.

All the product stations were elegantly staged, along with a quick card that described what the product was and visually delivered the key benefit of each product.

The booth staff wore branded apparel and did a great job of engaging visitors and taking them through informative product presentations. All in all, an outstanding small booth.