After four days of conferences, product launches, and technology demonstrations in Long Beach, California, AWE USA 2026 officially concluded with its traditional closing ceremony and the presentation of the Best in Show Awards, recognizing the initiatives that generated the greatest impact among attendees, exhibitors, and the XR community throughout the event.
The awards were presented by Ori Inbar, AWE Co-Founder and CEO, and were based on factors including booth activity, social media engagement, and overall visibility across the show floor.
AWE 2026 Award Winners
The main awards were presented to:
- Best in Show: Snapdragon by Qualcomm
- Most Impactful: XR Blood Drive by Abbott
- LBE Zone Winner: VR Cave
In addition, the Virtual World Society presented the Nextant Awards, which recognize leadership and innovation within the XR ecosystem:
- Rising Star Prize: Caitlin Krause
- Legacy Prize: Dr. Walter Greenleaf
Qualcomm Confirms the Rise of Spatial AI
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon platform taking home the top award came as little surprise.
Throughout AWE 2026, Qualcomm positioned itself at the center of discussions surrounding Spatial AI, smart glasses, and spatial computing. Its Snapdragon XR platforms continue to power much of the hardware showcased by companies such as XREAL, Snap, and other XR device manufacturers.
The award reflects a broader industry consensus: the convergence of artificial intelligence and spatial computing is expected to become one of the primary growth drivers for XR in the years ahead.
Abbott Shows That XR Can Save Lives
One of the most compelling recognitions went to XR Blood Drive, Abbott’s initiative that used immersive experiences to reduce anxiety and distraction during blood donation procedures.
While less flashy than the latest smart glasses announcements, the project demonstrates how XR continues to find meaningful applications in healthcare and wellness—one of the sectors consistently delivering measurable real-world outcomes.
The Quiet Growth of Location-Based Entertainment
VR Cave’s victory in the Location-Based Entertainment (LBE) category highlights another major trend visible throughout AWE 2026: the continued growth of immersive experiences outside the home.
This year, AWE placed significant attention on immersive attractions, XR entertainment venues, and multiplayer location-based experiences. Many analysts view this segment as one of the most commercially promising areas within the broader virtual reality market.
Why It Matters for the XR Industry
Beyond the individual winners, the AWE 2026 awards delivered three clear messages:
- Spatial AI has become a central pillar of the XR industry.
- Enterprise and healthcare applications continue to generate tangible value.
- Location-based immersive entertainment is emerging as a growing business model.
In other words, this year’s awards reflected the same themes that dominated AWE 2026: the convergence of XR and artificial intelligence, the maturity of enterprise XR, and the expansion of immersive experiences beyond the traditional headset ecosystem.
For those tracking the evolution of immersive technologies, the Best in Show Awards often serve as an early indicator of the technologies, products, and business models that could shape the future of XR over the coming years.