EIBTM 2001 HOSTS 5TH FORUM FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

EIBTM 2001 will be hosting the 5th Forum for Young Professionals, in conjunction with its partner, ICCA - the International Meetings Association.

Twenty young executives will be taking part in the initiative, which forms part of the event's Youth Campaign.

The forum highlights the importance of involving young people in the meetings and incentive travel industry and includes opportunities for education, networking and the chance to see the event at first hand.

EIBTM director Debbie Jackson said: "The forum is an important means of helping young professionals to attain excellence and best practice and to develop their own careers within the industry.

"We are grateful to ICCA for the continuing partnership and support, which has helped many young people with a step up the career ladder."

Tom Hulton, chief executive officer at ICCA said that to be considered for a place on the forum, applicants had to be aged 30 or under. Entrants this year are being asked to write on a number of key issues relating to their roles, such as technology and future trends in the meetings industry over the next ten years.

Applications are judged on the standard of papers submitted and the winning 20 executives will be told at the end of March.

"Standards have been very high", he said." Over the past four years, the forum has made a significant contribution to the task of introducing young people to international meetings industry."

The executives arrive on Saturday 26 May with ICCA seminars and dinners on Sunday and Monday. They will then attend the first day of EIBTM on Tuesday 29 May with an official presentation on the centre stage at lunchtime that day.

For further information on the Forum for Young Professionals, contact Leanne Harrison at ICCA head office in Amsterdam fax +31 20 699 0781; email leanne@icca.nl