Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Hat trick for top student achievers
The competition involved three teams from Leeds Metropolitan University, Greenwich University and Terbell Event Management Training taking on the role of the convention bureau in Bregenz (Austria) and St.Gallen (Switzerland) and preparing a bid for a large scale congress.
At the final - held at the Grand Connaught Rooms, London - the teams went head-to-head in front of a panel of five senior meetings industry professionals, led by Richard Parker, Congress Director at Zibrant.
Glenn Bowdin, Head of the UK Centre for Events Management at Leeds Met, commented: "We are very proud that our team won this award. The competition replicated one of the industry-focused techniques used on the course: responding to a client's brief, which provided our students with the opportunity to demonstrate their communication and employability skills in preparation for their career in the events industry. Thanks to Meeting Professionals International and the sponsors, the competition gave an insight into the valuable knowledge and skills that events management students are bringing to the industry."
Now in its fourth year, the focus of the MPI Young Achievers Awards is to connect upcoming talent with the events industry by providing the opportunity to meet key-figures, network and showcase their talents and skills.
The winning team from Leeds Met was made up of Holly Glover, Olivia Pole-Evans and Faye Briggs. Not only did they take away the prestigious Swiss Cow Trophy, but their efforts were rewarded with a trip to Switzerland and Austria, where they will tour both St.Gallen and Bregenz and participate in the Bregenz Festival.
Judge, Richard Parker said: "I continue to be impressed by the quality, confidence and credibility of the students. The platform that the Young Achievers Awards provides is an invaluable source of networking and vehicle to implement practical work experience. It gives students an unrivalled reach to a wide audience of industry professionals. I enjoy being involved as a judge; it's a privilege, a reminder of what a great industry we belong to and a unique insight into future leaders."
Samme Allen, MPI UK & Ireland Chapter President, added: "All the finalists must be commended for their fantastic efforts. Those in attendance were rewarded with a glimpse into the future of the industry. The competition was closely fought but the presentation by Leeds Metropolitan University showed a deep understanding of the brief which allowed them to give a confident presentation to the judges. We wish them, and all the finalists, the very best of luck as they move into careers within the meetings industry."