147 submissions, 15 categories, and one night of high-octane inspiration in dortmund. the 8th annual brandex awards just concluded at boe International, and the bar for brand experience has never been higher. the 2026 ceremony was a masterclass in architecture and event design. major winners included bmw group for "the first car show inside a car" and the german pavilion at expo 2025 for its breathtaking "wa! germany" execution. this year also saw the debut of the "special" category, honoring the "fairest clients" in the industry, proving that great work starts with great partnerships. dive into our full breakdown of the highlights of the event. let's go!