H
ousingWire and MAXA Designs proudly present the 2025 Exhibit Awards, a national stage that honors exceptional real‑estate and, now, mortgage branding and design. Launched in 2022, Exhibit was founded on the belief that strong branding does more than look good—it clarifies purpose, shapes culture, and drives business growth. Today it stands as the industry’s most visible showcase of creative excellence.
The awards spotlight brokerages that excel in strategy, creativity, and consistency. Through purposeful design and authentic storytelling, these brands elevate marketing, empower agents, and set new standards. With HousingWire’s nationwide reach and MAXA’s status as the top real‑estate marketing and design automation platform, Exhibit is evolving into the definitive benchmark for modern real‑estate and mortgage branding.
**Celebrating Purpose‑Driven Branding**
Each year, Exhibit honors standout brands across four regions—West Coast, Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast—recognizing those that push creative boundaries and maintain a unified, compelling identity. From logo systems and typography to messaging, digital presence, and campaign execution, the awards celebrate brokerages that tell a clear, cohesive story across all media.
Beyond recognition, Exhibit celebrates the creative and marketing teams that transform brands through thoughtful design and strategic storytelling. These teams shape not only aesthetics but also culture, unlock business value, and spark community impact that extends beyond screens and print.
Whether you’re an independent brokerage or a local franchise with a distinct identity, Exhibit offers national visibility, a platform to share your voice, and inspiration for the next chapter of real‑estate and mortgage branding.
**Expanded Categories for 2025**
The 2025 Exhibit Awards mark the largest expansion in program history.
*Double the Real‑Estate Winners*
For the first time, Exhibit will honor eight real‑estate winners—two per region: brokerages under 1,000 agents and brokerages over 1,000 agents. This structure recognizes both emerging brands and large‑scale brokerages with high‑impact identities.
*Introducing Mortgage Branding Awards*
Responding to industry demand, Exhibit opens submissions for mortgage companies for the first time. The mortgage category will award five winners: one per region and one national winner, honoring brands that operate and inspire on a national scale. Exhibit becomes the first national platform to celebrate excellence in both real‑estate and mortgage branding.
**2025 Judging Panel**
Exhibit has assembled its most influential panel yet—10 industry leaders spanning branding, marketing, technology, brokerage leadership, and mortgage innovation:
- James Wong, CEO & Founder, MAXA
- Clayton Collins, CEO, HousingWire
- Marc Davidson, Co‑Founder, 1000watt
- Jodi Hall, CEO & President, The Mortgage Collaborative
- Don Hobbs, Co‑Founder, Hobbs & Herder, Pioneer of Agent Marketing & Realtor Branding
- Kevin Van Eck, Strategic Advisor, Mavericks
- Tristan Ahumada, Founder, LabCoat Agents; People’s Editor, Success Magazine
- James Duncan, Founder, Caelum Advisers
- Effie Atsaves, VP of Marketing, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World
- Joe Welu, Founder, Total Expert
Their combined expertise ensures rigorous, insightful evaluation of every submission.
**Recognition Package**
Winners receive a comprehensive package designed to spotlight their brand nationally and industry‑wide:
- **Live Stage Recognition**: Winners are flown to The Gathering on April 27, 2026, at the Omni Barton Creek in Austin, Texas, where they are honored before the most influential real‑estate and mortgage leaders.
- **Exhibit Award Trophy**: A beautifully crafted trophy symbolizing creative excellence and industry leadership.
- **Custom Award Plaque**: A wall‑mounted plaque for your office, celebrating your team’s achievement.
- **Digital Winner’s Badge**: A badge for your website, email signatures, marketing materials, and social media.
- **Full Case Study Feature**: A professionally produced case study highlighting your submission, showcasing what made your brand stand out, and offering expert insights from the judging panel.
- **National Media Spotlight**: Winners are featured across HousingWire and MAXA Designs’ digital platforms, generating an estimated 2,000,000+ combined impressions, including premium articles and social coverage.
**Submissions Now Open**
Entries for the 2025 Exhibit Awards are officially open.
**Deadline:** February 5, 2026
**Submit at:** ExhibitAwards.com
If your team has elevated your brand, pushed creative boundaries, or reimagined who you are, this is your moment to be recognized. The future of real‑estate and mortgage branding starts here. Submit today.
