From Expo Pavilions to Immersive Futures

What defines excellence in experiential design? In this episode of Matters of Experience, Abby Honor and Brenda Cowan welcome Travis Stanton, an award-winning editor, strategist, and global design competition leader. Travis reflects on his role judging the “World Expolympics” at Expo 2025 Osaka, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how international pavilions are evaluated. From emotionally resonant small-scale exhibits to spectacular multimedia environments, he explains why the strongest experiences are rooted in clear ideas rather than big budgets alone. The discussion also dives into trends shaping the industry and the evolving role of AI.