Empowering the next generation: a glimpse into IMEX America 2024's IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leaders Forum

At IMEX America 2024, Sophie Pink, Social Media Manager at IMEX Group, participated in one of the roundtables sessions at the IMEX-MPI-MCI Future Leaders Forum. With over a decade of industry experience, it allowed her to share industry knowledge and expertise with four groups of events, tourism management and hospitality students.???

The Future Leaders Forum is a key opportunity for the next generation of students to experience the events and meetings industry. At IMEX Frankfurt’s Future Leaders Forum this year, Michael Dominguez, Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) noted that Generation Z has the largest workforce participation rate in 20 years in the service industry (retail, financial, public sector, business administration, leisure and culture) which includes the events industry. This generation of workers wants to be together, in offices, to learn and grow. Michael noted that how we mentor this generation is key for the sector’s development. And it’s something Gen Z are crying out for.?

The roundtable session was moderated brilliantly by Thuy Diep, Senior Meeting Planner at CWT Meetings & Events, with each table focused on a different topic relating to AI. Sophie’s roundtable addressed AI's impact on the events industry by reviewing successful use cases, notably from IMEX industry friend and partner, Maritz. Amy Kramer Market and Product Innovation Lead at Maritz will be sharing her thoughts on this in an interview filmed at IMEX America 2024. Sophie talked and compared AI to the development of social media: There was never a role for social media 10 years ago and now it's one of the fastest growing areas of employment. The outcome of the discussion? When they join the industry, Gen Z should focus on leveraging AI's present capabilities rather than worrying about the future of the technology.

The experience allowed her to forge new connections with emerging talent and left her feeling optimistic about the future of the events industry. As well as impressed and inspired by the energy and curiosity demonstrated by the Future Leaders. She found the afternoon to be one of the most rewarding experiences in her career.??

Sophie, and the rest of team IMEX, can't wait to see and meet the incredible up-and-coming talent in the industry.?