Celebrating Design Excellence: YAS Global Architecture Award Launches at APEX – America’s Property Expo, Donald E. Stephens Convention Centerm Chicago USA, 7–9 May 2026
MIE Events is proud to partner with the YAS Global Architecture Award for Women Architects as the Official Award Partner of the America’s Property Expo (APEX) in Chicago, USA. This collaboration highlights global architectural excellence and women’s leadership in design, bringing these achievements to one of America’s premier real estate platforms.
The prestigious YAS Global Architecture Award for Women Architects, created by Stephen Yas, AIA, RIBA, NCARB internationally acclaimed architect, urban designer, and Managing Director, USA & Global Design Leader at NOVO Architects LLC recognizes outstanding design that reflects cultural context, emotional experience, and visionary creativity. The award embodies a lifelong commitment to architectural excellence, cultural responsibility, and leadership in design.
Through this partnership, APEX is elevated beyond a traditional real estate exhibition, becoming a platform that showcases property development and investment opportunities while celebrating architectural innovation, diversity, world class excellence.
By integrating an international architecture award into the Chicago launch, APEX:
- Strengthens its global positioning within architecture, urbanism, and real estate development
- Highlights the critical role of design excellence in property value and community impact
- Promotes diversity and women’s leadership within the built environment
- Connects investors, developers, architects, and policymakers through a shared vision of culturally responsible development
This collaboration enhances the intellectual and cultural depth of the event, reinforcing Chicago’s legacy as a global architectural capital.
Focus of the 2026 Edition
The inaugural edition of the YAS Architecture Award focuses on projects by women architects working locally and internationally within the Middle East and China regions. Both built and unbuilt projects are eligible, across all scales and typologies.
Submissions are evaluated based on:
- Cultural and contextual integration with a local story
- Emotional and human experience
- Architectural design excellence
- Innovation and contemporary expression
- Social and environmental responsibility
The submission deadline is 15 April 2026, and entries will be reviewed by an international jury of distinguished architects and urban designers.
Official Presentation in Chicago
The YAS Architecture Award for Women Architects will be formally presented on 7 May 2026 in Chicago, during the Desert Rose Architectural Forum and the APEX World Real Estate Conference and Exhibition. This milestone event will gather global leaders in architecture, urbanism, investment, and real estate development creating a powerful cross-sector dialogue between design and development.
Administrative coordination and communications for the award are managed by Desert Rose and MIE Events DMCC.
A Vision Beyond Recognition
The YAS Architecture Award aims to elevate women’s leadership in architecture while highlighting work that meaningfully contributes to cultural identity, community life, and the long-term quality of the built environment. Its partnership with APEX signals a shared commitment to shaping cities not only through investment but through thoughtful, responsible, and human-centered design.
Further details regarding submissions, jury members, and future editions will be announced in due course.
Media Partners Supporting Apex Miami 2026
Gulf Property, Property News International, Real Estate Business Review, International Trade Council, Construction Tech Review, World Business Outlook, International Business Magazine, The Business Year, NegoSentro, World Executive Digest, Asian Aussie Business, The Executive Chronicles, Trade Travel Journal, The Technology News PH, Start Up News, MidEast Info, Afrique Media, International Business Africa, Gazet International, Red Bus Digital Ventures.
Media & Partnership Contact
Mrs. Mavis Yao
Founder of Desert Rose
General Manager
T: +86 13818725813
WhatsApp: +86 13818725813
E: mavis@miegroups.com
Miss Hazel Wang
Marketing Specialist
T: +86 15894260467
WhatsApp: +86 15894260547
E: hazel@cn.mieevents.com
Desert Rose: https://desertrose.mieevents.com/
MIE Groups: https://miegroups.com
APEX – America Property Expo: https://www.uspropertyexpo.com
