The Association of Event Venues (AEV) has launched its new Emerging Talent Award 2026, an initiative designed to recognise and celebrate outstanding emerging professionals across the event venue sector.
The new award aims to highlight individuals within the AEV membership who demonstrate exceptional promise, creativity, dedication and commitment to the events industry. It provides a platform for early-career professionals to gain recognition for their contribution and potential to become future leaders in the venue sector.
Emerging Talent Award Open to Early-Career Professionals
The AEV Emerging Talent Award 2026 is open to professionals who are in the first one to five years of their careers in the events industry. The initiative is designed to recognise emerging talent working across a wide range of venue departments.
Eligible professionals can be working in areas including catering, commercial operations, event management, finance, guest experience, human resources, operations, security, sustainability and venue production.
By opening the award to professionals across different venue functions, AEV aims to showcase the diverse talent contributing to the development and success of the events industry.
Up to Five Emerging Leaders to Be Recognised
AEV members can submit up to three nominations per venue for consideration. From the nominations received, up to five exceptional individuals will be selected to form the Class of 2026.
The initiative is intended not only to recognise professional achievements but also to identify individuals who demonstrate the qualities and potential needed to become the next generation of leaders within the event venue industry.
AEV CEO Rachel Parker Announces New Award
AEV CEO Rachel Parker announced the launch of the Emerging Talent Award, highlighting the organisation’s enthusiasm about introducing the new initiative.
Parker said the award represents a new venture for AEV and will provide an opportunity to celebrate members who are demonstrating some of the best qualities emerging within the venue sector.
The launch further strengthens AEV’s focus on recognising talent and supporting the professional development of individuals working across the events industry.
Winners to Receive Mentoring and Networking Opportunities
The Class of 2026 will receive more than recognition. Selected winners will receive a complimentary pass to the AEV Annual Conference, along with access to a mentor from the AEV board or conference steering group.
The award package will also include opportunities for special board and venue visits, providing winners with valuable exposure to senior industry professionals, venues and leadership perspectives.
These opportunities are expected to help emerging professionals expand their industry networks, gain knowledge and develop their careers within the events and venue sector.
AEV Annual Conference 2026 to Host Announcement
The AEV Class of 2026 will be announced at the AEV Annual Conference, which will take place at ICC, Olympia, on Thursday, 26 November 2026.
The conference will provide a major platform for celebrating the achievements of the selected emerging professionals while bringing together members and industry leaders for networking and knowledge-sharing.
The 2026 conference is particularly significant as it marks AEV’s tenth conference at Olympia, which Parker described as being presented in its newest and future-facing form.
Entry Deadline for AEV Emerging Talent Award 2026
AEV members interested in recognising emerging professionals from their venues must submit nominations by Friday, 18 September 2026.
With only a limited number of places available in the Class of 2026, the award offers AEV members an opportunity to highlight talented professionals who are already making a strong contribution to the events industry.
Supporting the Next Generation of Event Industry Leaders
The launch of the AEV Emerging Talent Award 2026 reflects the growing importance of developing and recognising talent within the global events and venue industry.
Early-career professionals play an important role in bringing new ideas, creativity, technology and fresh approaches to event venues. By recognising their contributions and connecting them with experienced industry leaders, initiatives such as this can help create stronger career pathways and encourage the development of future venue-sector leaders.
The combination of industry recognition, mentoring, conference access, networking and venue visits makes the Emerging Talent Award a valuable opportunity for professionals at the beginning of their events careers.
AEV Emerging Talent Award 2026 – Key Details
Award: AEV Emerging Talent Award 2026
Eligibility: Professionals with 1–5 years of experience in the events industry
Departments: Catering, commercial, event management, finance, guest experience, HR, operations, security, sustainability, venue production and more
Nominations: Up to three nominations per venue
Selected: Up to five emerging professionals
Entry Deadline: Friday, 18 September 2026
Class of 2026 Announcement: Thursday, 26 November 2026
Venue: ICC, Olympia
Benefits: Conference pass, mentoring opportunities, board and venue visits, networking and industry learning opportunities
The AEV Emerging Talent Award 2026 marks an important new initiative for recognising the people shaping the future of the event venue industry. With nominations now open, AEV members have the opportunity to put forward the industry’s most promising emerging professionals and help celebrate the next generation of event venue leaders.
