CLASS OF 2020
The CN30 under Thirty Class of 2020 has been reavealed
On the screen ( left to right ): Emily Stanton ( MCI UK ), Sunny Sethi ( Health Careers Live / Explosive Group ), Tom Burns ( Vlogger Events ), Robert Chain ( Freeman / R _ C _ Squared ), Jessica Bishop ( Bray Leino Events ), Ryanne Law ( Pico In-Creative ( UK ) Ltd .), Lauren Stanislas ( Aspect Communications ), Callum Clark ( Inside Government , part of GovNet ), Joshua Green ( DMG Events ), Olivia Unsworth ( Venues & Events International ), Emily Hume ( Make Events ), Josh King ( emc3 ), Isabel Toussaint ( Strata Creative Communications ).
THE CN30 UNDER THIRTY CLASS of 2020 has been revealed . The intake were inducted during a hybrid event at ODEON Leicester Square , London , 4 November . Half the group were at the Covid-secure event in person , while the other half joined remotely .
Against all the odds , Conference
News decided to press ahead with the event in 2020 as we are of the view that it has never been more important to celebrate aspiring talent , especially at a time of so much uncertainty .
Despite the events industry facing the greatest crisis it has ever known , the selected 30 ( and many more besides who did not make the cut ) have demonstrated creativity , versatility and determination to deliver fantastic events and experiences , in live settings or online .
The Covid-compliant event was opened by Felicia Asiedu , manager , Europe Marketing , at Cvent , who offered a rallying cry and praised the Class for their dedication and determination in the face of adversity .
Reflecting on the Class of 2020 , Conference News ’ marketing and partnerships manager Max Agostini said : “ We were not just going to stand idly by and let the current crisis stop what should be a celebration of talent . As an industry we are famously versatile , and we always find creative ways to get things happening , so we knew that ’ s what this year ’ s CN30 under Thirty would expect .
“ We received more than 170 entries this year , which just goes to show how much aspiring talent is out there , and if we could have inducted all of them we would have . The 30 who have joined the Class of 2020 are all here because they have led from the front . They are tomorrow ’ s leaders , and I am confident they will embrace this new age .”
Editor Martin Fullard , who hosted the event , was keen to stress to the Class of 2020 that they must put themselves forward if they are to drive real change . He said : “ The Covid-19 situation has highlighted our flaws as an industry , and we all have a responsibility to address them going forward . What we can ’ t have is people just waiting for someone else to fix things .
“ I call on the Class of 2020 to put themselves forward for discussions , columns and even volunteer work with Mash Media and the trade associations . They must throw themselves into the industry , time spent wishing is time wasted , so let us stand up for our industry together . I am sure this year ’ s class will not sit by . It is a very exciting prospect .”
The event was supported by Cvent , ODEON , Aniseed Photo , Onward Display , MPI and ABPCO .
Photography by Jonathan JT Taylor at Aniseed Photo
www . conference-news . co . uk