Tomorrow's Talent Meet the Judges: Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey is the deputy editor of M&IT, the leading publication in the UK events industry. Before joining M&IT in 2013 he worked at a range of local newspapers across the north.

Why do you think it's important to recognise and celebrate the young talent within the events industry?

As a great sage once wrote: “I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way.” Quite simply, young people are the future of the industry. If you care about the events industry, you have to recognise and celebrate the young talent within it.

Do you feel like there is a strong culture of mentoring and support for young people within the industry?

There have been a number of initiatives in recent years that have really boosted the opportunities for mentoring and support for young people in meetings and events. So, there might not have been a strong culture in the past, but it is something that is being increasingly recognised as important – and there is always room for more.

What are the attributes that you think make a successful meetings and events planner?

Out of all the planners I speak to for the magazine, the most successful ones strike a combination of practicality, creativity and enthusiasm. And an appetite for sheer hard work doesn’t go amiss, either…

What will you be looking for when reviewing the entries for Tomorrow's Talent? What would make someone stand out to you?

I’ll be on the lookout for that indefinable spark that makes someone jump out. There’s a reason they call it The X Factor - it’s hard to say exactly what it is, but you know it when you see it!