Unlocking talent: Applications now open for Elevate’s 2025 mentorship programme

After a record-breaking year, Elevate – the fastest-growing community for mentoring and training in the events industry – is excited to announce applications for its 2025 mentorship programme are now open and it is looking for new mentees and mentors to get involved.

Since launching in 2015, Elevate has transformed the careers of almost 2,000 alumni, building a vibrant, global network of event talent from all sectors of the industry.

Led by industry visionaries Melissa Noakes, Max Fellows and Peter Kerwood, Elevate is free to join and has been designed with one goal in mind – to inspire, inform and empower people within the events industry.

2024 has been a standout year for Elevate, with:

• A record 414 mentors and mentees from across the globe took part from the UK, USA, Canada, Spain, Germany, Philippines, UAE, and Nigeria.
• More than 1,240 hours of mentoring delivered, powered by 2,838 years of combined industry experience.

This year also saw the launch of Elevate NewGen, a programme designed to open up career opportunities for young people aged 18-25. With a focus on helping underrepresented individuals – especially those from lower socio-economic backgrounds – NewGen aims to inspire the next generation to consider a career in events. It will offer tailored mentorship, live events, and a learning programme designed around their needs when it opens in the spring. 

Elevate also published more episodes of its popular podcast series, Just One Thing, where event professionals share advice and stories based on letters to their younger selves. To date, 15 episodes have been released, featuring guests like Charlotte Saynor, Head of Global Events and Experiences at Google DeepMind, and Nina Ferguson, Co-Founder and CEO of INCA Productions.

Looking ahead to its 10th anniversary in 2025, Elevate has big plans to keep expanding its reach. It is rolling out a campaign to connect with final-year event management students and will continue to grow the NewGen programme.

Elevate co-founder Melissa Noakes said: “Over the years, we’ve witnessed countless inspiring success stories, but there’s still so much more to accomplish, particularly in DE&I and in supporting personal growth and transformation.” 

Elevate co-founder Max Fellows said: “For our 10th anniversary, we’re committed to making an even greater impact – with more live events, more opportunities for community connection, and expanded avenues for learning and mentorship. Registrations have only just opened, yet the response has been phenomenal. We’re also excited to celebrate the many mentoring successes that have defined Elevate’s journey since day one.”

Elevate invites anyone passionate about shaping the future of the events industry to apply as a mentee or mentor by February 2025. All applications can be made via the Elevate website: www.elevateme.co.