"Since joining the program, I have met some truly amazing people and made some great connections."Young Stars ProgramThe 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 Meet-Up Series, which provides networking opportunities, 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 conferenceforums where Young Stars can have their say on industry topicsEvents where Young Stars are given a direct communication pipeline to senior industry leaders and EEAA Board Membersthe EEAA Awards for Excellence, with a category dedicated to the industry’s young achieversThe Young Stars Program is generously supported by Tourism Australia, which became the program’s inaugural Platinum Partner in mid-2016, and Ungerboeck Software International as the program’s Gold Partner.Upcoming EEAA Young Stars EventsClick here to view the upcoming EEAA events including any scheduled Young Stars events.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.If you would like to a part of the committee and help steer the Young Stars Program, email Emily Leung on [email protected].Chairs of the CommitteeKay BadakhshHostCoRoslyn du PlooyMelbourne Convention and Exhibition CentreCommittee membersKara BiggsExpoNetGeorgie Chapman-BurgessExhibitions and Trade FairsLakisha Di ValentinoDiversified CommunicationsAmrita DipMelbourne Convention and Exhibition CentreAiden HippensteelInternational Convention Centre SydneyTrish JacobyExpoNetJasmine PohlAdelaide Convention CentreAshley ThomasHostCoNikki WitmanTalk2 Media & EventsMeet 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 EvansAsia Pacific at Freeman APACManaging DirectorPeter 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 Geddes Young Achiever Award acknowledges and rewards young employees who have excelled in their work, attitude, leadership and commitment – in other words our industry’s future leaders.In 2019, seven nominations were received for the Richard Geddes Young Achiever Award and was won by Aiden Hippensteel from ICC Sydney and both Nikki Witman and Lakisha Di Valentino received commendations. Aiden was recognised for his outstanding organisation, leadership, communication and interpersonal skills. His volunteer work with the Rural Fire Service was also commended for adding to his leadership skills and maturity. Aiden received a major scholarship, sponsored by Tourism Australia, to attend the Asia-Pacific Conference of The Global Association for the Exhibition Industry (UFI), to be held in Macau in March 2020.In 2018, the winner of the annual Richard Geddes Young Achiever Award was Georgie Chapman-Burgess, Operations Manager, Exhibitions and Trade Fairs (ETF). Ms Chapman-Burgess traveled in Tokyo in March, 2019. About the experience attending the UFI Asia-Pacific Conference, Ms Chapman-Burgess said, “The experience was insightful. UFI is not just an Association, but a community that supports and collaborates with its Members together to achieve their goals.“The biggest take-outs of the conference were, the war on talent development, the message being to hire potential over experience, the importance to build and establish relationships with international contractors and suppliers and joining the discussion on current industry challenges and recognising industry achievements.” Ms Chapman-Burgess said.Ms Chapman-Burgess joined a panel of young leaders at the EEAA 2019 Leaders Forum, discussing industry challenges and opportunities and what she learnt in Tokyo on 5 June 2019.The scholarship is part of an expanded partnership between Tourism Australia and the Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) to support the careers of young people working in our industry.“I feel extremely honoured to have an opportunity to meet industry professionals that are supportive and encouraging in developing young leaders. Thank you EEAA, Tourism Australia and Ungerboeck for your continual investment and support for the young leaders of this industry.” Ms Chapman-Burgess said.2019 award recipientAiden HippensteelInternational Convention Centre Sydney2018 award recipientGeorgie Chapman-BurgessExhibitions and Trade Fairs2017 award recipientCraig MatherUngerboeck International2016 award recipientsAnne-Marie MinaExhibitions and Trade FairsJames KennedyExhibit Systems2015 award recipientsStephanie BleakleyDiversified Communications AustraliaDaniel CondonDesignteam