"Since joining the program, I have met some truly amazing people and made some great connections." Young members The Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) supports and nurtures the growth and development of the industry’s future leaders through its Young Stars Program.Young Stars ProgramThe EEAA Young Stars Program gives the Association’s youngest members a platform to share their views, ideas and experiences, as well as to have a bigger voice in the work of the Association. Launched in 2012, the program offers a tier of activities tailored specifically to engage under 35-year-olds within the Association’s membership with the aim of building a strong community, ensuring the sustainability of the Association, as well as for nurturing young talent in the world of exhibitions and events.The program gives its members the opportunity to be involved in:the Young Stars and Leaders Table Series, which provides face-to-face mentoring and advice from industry leaderspersonal and professional development seminars on topics such as personal brands, leadership, negotiation and presentation skillsspecially designed workshops delivered as part of EEAA’s annual conferenceevents held alongside industry events such as AIME and Inspire EXthe EEAA Awards for Excellence, with a category dedicated to the industry’s young achievers.They Young Stars Program is generously supported by Tourism Australia’s Business Events Australia unit, which became the program’s inaugural Platinum Partner in mid-2016, and Reed Exhibitions and Ungerboeck Software International, as the program’s Gold Partners.Whether you’re an employer or a budding young star, find out more about how our Young Stars Program could benefit you.Meet the EEAA Young Stars CommitteeThe EEAA Young Stars Program has a dedicated volunteer committee of Young Stars at the helm to assist the Association with creating opportunities for younger workers in exhibitions and events to learn and develop.Committee membersStephanie BleakleyDiversified Communications AustraliaFelicity ParkerDiversified Communications AustraliaJames KennedyExhibit SystemsCatherine IsaacsPerth Convention and Exhibition CentreCathy HammondExhibitions & Trade FairsAndrew OrrReed Exhibitions AustraliaLexie BovaHarry the HirerRoslyn du PlooyMelbourne Convention and Exhibition CentreAnne-Marie MinaExhibitions and Trade FairsLaura SkeltonUngerboeck Software InternationalRebecca IusEEAAEvents and Marketing ExecutiveMeet the EEAA Young Stars mentors Since the launch of the Young Stars Program in July 2012, EEAA has provided exclusive opportunities for our young members to be mentored by industry leaders. They include:Beverley ParkerICC SydneyDirector of Business DevelopmentMinnie ConstanFine Food ExhibitionsEvent DirectorPaul ConstantinouQuest Apartment HotelsChairman and founderJohn TrevillianNSW GovernmentFormer Executive Director of Protocol and Special EventsDavid EliaHostplusCEOHarvey ListerAEG OgdenChairman and CEOJulia ErbenReed ExhibitionsEvent DirectorKate SmithWaldronsmith ManagementManaging DirectorChristopher BarlowMelbourne Convention BureauChairmanPenny LionBusiness Events AustraliaGeneral ManagerDebbie EvansReed Exhibitions, South East Asia/AustraliaPresidentPeter RixGeorge P. Johnson (Australia)Managing DirectorCraig Sheridan APMCounter Terrorism ConsultantMatt PearceTalk2 Media and EventsOrganiser memberGuy BlombergReedPOPContent ManagerPaul BakerReedPOPDirectorHelen MantellatoInternational Convention Centre SydneyVenue memberRecognising the industry’s young achieversThe EEAA is dedicated to recognising and celebrating excellence in the industry. This commitment extends to honouring the industry’s rising stars as part of its annual Awards for Excellence program. The Richard Gedes Young Achiever Award acknowledges and rewards young employees who have excelled in their work, attitude, leadership and commitment – our industry’s future leaders.2016 award recipientsAnne-Marie MinaExhibitions and Trade FairsJames KennedyExhibit Systems2015 award recipientsStephanie BleakleyDiversified Communications AustraliaDaniel CondonDesignteam2014 award recipientsLauren MilledgeSydney Showground COMMENDED Robyn GardnerDiversified CommunicationsAmy SchwabReed Exhibitions AustraliaJonathan WhymanReed Exhibitions Australia