On 18 June, EVA Alliance officially launched the inaugural edition of 30 Under 30, its cross-generational professional development programme created to support the next generation of female corporate event planners.
Designed specifically for women under 30 working in in-house corporate event teams, the programme responds to a growing need within the industry: helping early-career professionals develop the strategic skills, confidence, and business perspective required to thrive in increasingly complex corporate environments.
While technical event management can be learned on the job, becoming a strategic event marketer requires guidance, experience, and exposure to senior leaders who have already navigated that path. 30 Under 30 was created to bridge that gap.
The programme brings together a carefully selected cohort of talented young professionals from different companies, countries, and industries for a three-month learning journey focused on strategic thinking, stakeholder management, event design, personal positioning, negotiation, and the evolving role of AI in event marketing.
Beyond the educational content, participants become part of something equally valuable: a cross-generational community where knowledge is shared openly, questions are encouraged, and meaningful professional relationships can flourish.
The first cohort met for the programme kick-off on 18 June, followed by the first educational session on 22 June, led by Gerd De Bruycker, former event marketing leader at Cisco and Microsoft. Drawing on more than two decades of global leadership experience, Gerd will guide participants throughout the programme, combining practical frameworks with real-world case studies and collaborative exercises.
30 Under 30 reflects EVA Alliance’s belief that investing in the next generation is essential for the future of corporate events. By connecting experienced leaders with emerging professionals, the initiative creates opportunities for learning in both directions: senior leaders share their expertise, while young professionals bring fresh perspectives, new ideas, and the ambition to shape the future of the industry.
The programme also marks an important milestone in EVA Alliance’s mission to elevate event marketing as a strategic business function. As the only global community exclusively for women shaping event marketing strategy inside corporations, EVA continues to create initiatives that foster leadership, strengthen professional networks, and empower women at every stage of their careers.
The launch of this first cohort is only the beginning. EVA Alliance looks forward to following the participants’ journey over the coming months and continuing to build a community where experience, curiosity, and collaboration drive the future of corporate event leadership.
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