Tomorrow's Talent: "I've had two job offers since winning."

As the deadline for entries for Tomorrow’s Talent 2020 fast approaches, the successful finalists of 2019 are encouraging professionals who are interested in fast-tracking their careers in the meetings and events industry, to enter now.

Winning Tomorrow’s Talent has presented a number of opportunities to last year’s winners that they say they wouldn’t have received otherwise, including exposure to the wider industry, recognition and promotion, as well as the chance to expand their network.

Gracia Kabongo, one of the 10 winners in 2019, has received two job offers since winning and has recently started a new role.

She said: “In life, it’s important to be recognised, so for anyone who knows they have done great work within the industry and contributed to the best of their ability, definitely apply.

“I say so because sometimes in our industry we don’t feel appreciated, and it’s not because the work we do is not important, it’s simply because people overlook the detail. It takes patience, hard work and multi-tasking to succeed. Tomorrow’s Talent is the industry’s way of thanking you for all you do. You will meet great people and expand your network.”

Fellow winner Ash Rowe, now senior Event Logistics Manager at IET, said: “The award has certainly given me a level of exposure within the industry that I would be unlikely to achieve myself.

“The only challenge I’ve had is finding time to fit in all of the opportunities that have come my way.”

While last year’s Tomorrow’s Talent was open to under 30s, this year, the programme welcomes entries from any talented event planner or buyer with up to three years’ experience in the meetings and event industry.   

Running in partnership with Meetings & Incentive Travel Magazine, Tomorrow’s Talent is designed to highlight exceptional emerging planners from the meetings and event industry and help nurture and support the leaders of the future. 

A panel of industry professionals will select the 10 most promising entrants to receive a series of opportunities throughout 2020 to raise their profile, provide networking opportunities and peer-to-peer learning, and enjoy VIP attendance of The Meetings Show.  

Applications for Tomorrow’s Talent 2020 close on Friday 28 February 2020. Planners can either nominate themselves or be nominated by an industry colleague via an online registration form or video submission.

To take part, nominees must have worked in the meetings and events industry for less than three years at the start of The Meetings Show 2019 (24-25 June), be based in the UK, and hold a full-time position as a meeting or event planner.