Conference News spoke to Fast Forward 15 2024/25 Mentees, Jessica Townsend associated event technology manager at FIRST and Charlotte Yates, account manager at weIMPLEMENT about the process of planning the inaugural Fast Forward 15 Mentoring Awards.
The inaugural Fast Forward 15 mentoring awards took place on Thursday 24 April at The Mermaid ,London, bringing together mentors, mentees and supporters for a celebration of mentorship, innovation and the individuals shaping the future of events and hospitality.
As part of the mentoring programme, each FF15 cohort is tasked with delivering a charity event – an opportunity for mentees to apply their skills, creativity and leadership in a real-world setting. This year, the 2024/25 mentees chose to channel their efforts into creating a professional awards ceremony, celebrating excellence while raising funds and awareness for a good cause.
Jessica Townsend said: “We wanted to plan an event that would not only raise money for FF15 but also challenge us. We were very ambitious by choosing an awards but I feel like it was worth every moment.”
Charlotte Yates added: “We wanted to showcase exceptional mentors, mentees, corporates, agencies and suppliers that have had a profound impact on the growth and development of talent within the events and hospitality sector.”
From initial concept through to execution, the event was entirely mentee-led, showcasing the remarkable talent and dedication of the group.
Collaborative planning: Turning an idea into a seamless event
After deciding that they wanted to put on an award show, the planning process began taking shape in late 2024, as the group turned their initial idea into a fully fledged event.
Townsend explained that the group decided early on that it would best to break off into smaller sub groups for the planning, as having 15 event professionals decide every aspect of an event would be quite difficult to manage. Each mentee took on a different role, with Yates taking on the role of project lead, meaning she was involved in every stage of the process and every planning meeting and Townsend taking on the role of registration and table plan, meaning that in the weeks leading up to the event a lot of her time was dedicated to ensuring that everyone had registered and that they had the names of all attendees.
Townsend said: “I feel we worked great as a team, on the night we congratulated ourselves that there were no major disagreements and that we all were proud of the part we played in the incredible event. I am so grateful for all of our cohort and so proud of what we achieved together.”
She added: “Charlotte was our team lead and she was incredible at managing all the sub-groups and all parts. The event wouldn’t have been what it was without her, she was really amazing through this whole process.”
In order to obtain sponsors and partners for the awards mentees tapped into their personal networks. Yates said: “We were really lucky to have such generous sponsors backing us. We also leaned on the strong reputation of FF15 as well as Fay’s support to help open doors and get people on board.”
Their combined efforts—from logistics and leadership to outreach and sponsorship—ensured the event came together smoothly and professionally. By dividing responsibilities and supporting one another throughout the process, the mentees were able to deliver a successful awards show that not only celebrated industry talent but also demonstrated the strength of their teamwork, the value of their networks, and the impact of the FF15 programme.
Lessons learned and moments to remember
From navigating logistical hurdles to balancing professional commitments, the journey of planning the Fast Forward 15 Awards was filled with both challenges and rewarding moments. The mentees spoke candidly about the challenges they faced, the lessons they learned and the highlights that made the hard work worthwhile.
Townsend said that the biggest lesson she learnt whilst planning the awards was that communication is key. The mentees were also balancing running the awards alongside their day jobs and partaking in the mentorship scheme. Townsend said: “It was quite challenging at times and I think that one of the hardest things to do when you feel a bit overwhelmed is to talk about it or to put your hands up and say I need some help. So in that sense communicating in general but also communicating our own needs throughout is a huge lesson I have taken away.”
Both mentees said that the highlight of the process was the awards night itself. Yates said: “It was tough at time but it has reminded me that with a bit of tenacity and team morale you can pull anything off. The most special moment for me was on the night itself, watching the winners and those commended step onto the stage and hearing how much it meant to them.”
The importance of mentoring:
Mentoring plays a vital role in personal and professional development, offering individuals the guidance, support and encouragement needed to grow with confidence. In the events and hospitality industry, where relationship-building, adaptability and hands-on experience are key, mentorship provides a unique opportunity for emerging talent to learn from those who have navigated the path before them. Beyond skill development, mentoring can be transformational, helping mentees unlock their potential, explore new opportunities and gain the confidence to lead. At the same time, mentors gain fresh perspectives and the satisfaction of giving back, creating a culture of collaboration and long-term success.
The mentoring awards were the epitome of this, showcasing and celebrating the incredible work of mentors and mentees. Townsend said: “This event recognises all of the great things that FF15 stands for, to give your time to mentor someone is such a gift and I was so happy that we chose to celebrate those who give their time and effort to support others in the industry.”
She added: “Mentoring helps people find their footing in the events and hospitality world and just as importantly it gives them the confidence to speak up and share their ideas. There are so many different aspects of mentoring but having the support of someone in the industry that has so much experience is irreplaceable.”
The success of the inaugural Fast Forward 15 Mentoring Awards stands as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when passion, purpose and the power of mentoring come together.
