"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 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 conferenceevents held alongside industry events, where Young Stars can give their opinions on industry topics and make their voice heard.the EEAA Awards for Excellence, with a category dedicated to the industry’s young achievers.The 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.We are currently receiving expressions for interest for our 2018 Committee, if you are interested, please email Joyce on jdimascio@eeaa.com.au or Gretel on gambrose@eeaa.com.au.Current committee membersKay BadakhshAustralian Turf ClubAmrita DipMelbourne Convention and Exhibition CentreCathy HammondExhibition & Trade FairsCathy HammondExhibitions & Trade FairsTrish JacobyExpoNetDominic Le RoyDesignteamKara PalmieriExpoNetJasmine PohlAdelaide Convention CentreAlyssa PullarExhibitions & Events AustraliaAlana SmithExhibition & Trade FairsMeet 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.In 2018, the winner of the annual Richard Geddes Young Achiever Award will receive a major prize sponsored by Tourism Australia.The 2018 Richard Geddes Young Achiever will travel to Tokyo to attend the Global Association for the Exhibition Industry’s (UFI) Asia-Pacific Conference from 14–15 March 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.2017 award recipientsCraig MatherUngerboeck International2016 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