Ones to watch: The Meetings Show unveils rising stars of UK events industry

The search is over. After scouring the events industry for the UK’s best up-and-coming talent, The Meetings Show is thrilled to reveal the 10 future leaders who have wowed judges in this year’s Tomorrow’s Talent programme.

Championed for their drive, ambition, ability to face challenges, and engagement with the wider industry, 2026’s rising stars are:

• Connie Arnold, Project Manager, DRPG

• Louise Balderson, Project Manager

• Oscar Easton, Events Director, Blank Canvas Entertainment

• Katie Gallagher, Sales Executive, Crowne Plaza Newcastle

• Lewis Hine, Founder, A World with Friends

• Kimberley Knight, Senior Project Manager, TTA

• Annabelle Lynch, Project Manager, DRPG

• Katie Percival, Events Officer, Climate Group

• Lily Shackleford, Senior Sales and Events Coordinator, Foxhills Club & Resort

• Olivia Wilkie, Senior Project Executive, asembl.

Having opened the doors for 70 industry trailblazers since the programme began in 2019, Tomorrow’s Talent, run in partnership with M&IT, is an invaluable opportunity for emerging event professionals to gain exposure, build connections, and enhance their careers.

For this year’s worthy winners, that means raising their profile and influence through invitations to leading industry events, as well as networking, mentoring, and profiling opportunities, which are just a few of the exclusive benefits on offer.

Speaking of The Meetings Show, winners will receive VIP access to the 2026 edition. In addition, winners will take part in a four-week Confidence in Communicating training programme and those who complete the programme will earn the opportunity to emcee the education stages at The Meetings Show. Delivered by The Attendee Experience Company, the programme covers presentation skills, handling challenging situations on stage, personal branding and the importance of body language, as well as crafting impactful moments whilst presenting. As the next generation of leaders, they will also have the opportunity to co-create and design their own engaging education session, taking place on the Wednesday at the show, an initiative that proved hugely successful and well attended last year.

Adding to this, and in partnership with Women in Exhibitions, one rising star will receive mentorship from a senior manager within the exhibitions industry as part of a powerhouse six-month programme to supercharge career growth and development.

Samme Allen, Knowledge Director at The Meetings Show, said: “The next generation of event professionals are overflowing with ideas, ambition and enthusiasm. Their voices and energy are crucial to future-proofing the power and potential of this amazing industry, which is why we want to give them not just the chance to shine, but the tools to do so brightly.

“Whether for training, support, opportunities, confidence-building or anything and everything in-between, programmes like this make a real difference for a generation hungry to make their mark and contribute to an industry they love. I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to 2026’s 10 deserving winners. I can’t wait to see where the next year takes you - and where you take our industry from there.”

The Tomorrow’s Talent programme is open to UK-based event planners and buyers who are aged 30 or under or who have less than three years’ experience in the industry. Paul Harvey, Editor at M&IT, Leigh Cowlishaw, Managing Partner at Black Box Partnerships, and Priya Narain, Co-Founder of Event First Steps, were among the six esteemed judges on this year’s panel.

The Meetings Show takes place 24-25 June 2026 at Excel London and is co-located with Business Travel Show Europe and TravelTech Show.