The IMEX–MPI–MCI Future Leaders Forum welcomed 106 students at IMEX America— an increase from 2024 and a strong signal of continued interest in careers across the global business events sector.
Launched in 2003, the Forum is designed to connect final-year students in events, tourism or hospitality with senior industry leaders, mentors and peers. Participants benefit from education sessions, round-table discussions and opportunities to explore the IMEX America show floor to see the industry in action.
Hannah Lee, Senior Operations Executive at IMEX and programme lead, described the Forum as “a free opportunity to gain ‘real-life’ insight into the meetings industry… intentionally designed to be a psychologically safe space; one where there’s no such thing as a silly question and everyone’s ‘in it’ together.”
Moderator Christy Renee Stehle, a leadership coach and speaker, said the students’ focus and engagement were exceptional.
“For six hours, we watched more than a hundred Gen Z students fully immersed and not picking up their phone once,” she said. “They were eager, dedicated, asking thought-provoking questions and showing initiative. Every conversation revealed how much they valued this opportunity—it inspired so much hope in us.”
Throughout the day, discussions focused on building professional presence, developing human-centred leadership skills and navigating disruption. Stehle emphasised that the lessons go both ways: “The best thing we can give them is our lessons, our failures and our realness. This generation values authenticity and connection more than ever before.”
Now in its 22nd year, the IMEX–MPI–MCI Future Leaders Forum continues to be a vital platform for nurturing talent and ensuring a sustainable, people-centred future for the global business events industry.
