IBTM World has launched ‘Event Business Accelerator’, an investment and mentoring programme for young entrepreneurs.
The programme will give people with an idea, product or service relevant to the events industry the opportunity to participate in an intensive mentoring programme, culminating in a live pitch for funding to a panel of potential investors at IBTM World.
Event Business Accelerator will see the selected finalists participate in an intensive mentoring programme of workshops, webinars and one-to-one sessions with a team of industry experts. The mentors will support them as they develop and scale their ideas and businesses ahead of pitching for funding to help bring their idea to fruition or to grow their existing business.
On the 19th and 20th November at IBTM World, the mentees will participate in live pitches to a panel of investors, taking part on a central stage at the heart 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; 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 hotly anticipated IBTM World Tech Watch Awards, which will be presented in the zone.
Supporters of the new feature zone include Barcelona Convention Bureau, MPI, Word of MICE, Reed Exhibitions, La Salle Ramon Llull University, CETT-UB, Eight PR & Marketing and Reed Exhibitions UK.
David Thompson (pictured), Event Director, IBTM World, said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of Event Business Accelerator. IBTM is committed to paving 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.”
Applications for the Event Business Accelerator are now open and will close on 23rd August. IBTM World is inviting submissions from 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 in running their own business related to the events industry. To apply, simply complete the submission form detailing your business proposition. The entries will be scored by a panel of industry judges, with finalists being selected and announced this September 2019.
The 2019 event is expected to welcome over 2,800 exhibitors from over 150 countries, as well as over 3,500 buyers and thousands of visitors for a packed schedule of meetings, networking and educational sessions. For more information please see ibtmworld.com.
