Are you a young entrepreneur in the events industry? If your answer is “yes,” IBTM World has launched a mentoring and investment program that can help you bring your idea, product or service to the next level.
The show, which runs November 19-21, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain, is now accepting applications for its new Event Business Accelerator. Entrepreneurs, up to the age of 35, who have a bright idea for an events business product or service, or who have up to three years experience running their own business related to the events industry are invited to submit their business proposition. The entries will be scored by a panel of industry judges, with finalists being selected and announced in September. The call for submissions closes August 23, 2019.
Events Business Accelator will see the selected finalists participate in an intensive mentoring program of workshops, webinars and one-to-one sessions with a team of industry experts, culminating in a live pitch for funding to a panel of potential investors at IBTM World 2019.
The live pitches to investors will take place November 19th and 20th on a central stage at the center of the event floor in a new immersive zone, IBTM Accelerate. Designed to attract and nurture entrepreneurial talent, the zone will also incorporate exhibitors and education sessions that will give delegates the opportunity to learn from other successful MICE entrepreneurs and share ideas with their peers.
IBTM Accelerate will feature several interactive discussions for the next generation of event planners. The line-up includes:
- an “Influencers of MICE” series led by ex-MPI president and founder of Word of MICE, Mariska Kesteloo;
- Future Focus – a series of sessions focusing on the future of the MICE industry, curated by Alistair Turner;
- and the IBTM World Tech Watch Awards.
“We are delighted to announce the launch of Event Business Accelerator,” says David Thompson, event director, IBTM World. “IBTM is committed to paying the way for future industry talent and this initiative, and indeed the entire Accelerate zone, are platforms to do this in a comprehensive and sustained way. The zone will allow us to combine elements from our year-round content, our mentoring scheme, as well as providing opportunities for on-site learning. We very much look forward to announcing more details in due course.”
IBTM World is part of Reed Travel Exhibitions’ IBTM portfolio of global and regional MICE events. The 2019 edition will run November 19-21, 2019 at Fira Barcelona Gran Via, Barcelona, Spain.