THE VANESSA COTTON SCHOLARSHIP

WIN A PAID GRADUATE PLACEMENT WITHIN A LEADING EVENTS AGENCY

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

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ABOUT THE VANESSA COTTON SCHOLARSHIP

The Vanessa Cotton Scholarship was created in 2011, by MPI UK & Ireland in honour of UK event industry veteran Vanessa Cotton. Vanessa was a champion of young meeting professionals. She had a long and distinguished career in the UK meetings & events industry and passed away in 2010 after a battle with cancer. Each year the scholarship is open to final year students, who will complete an event management or meetings industry-related degree/diploma in the UK or Ireland.


WIN A PAID GRADUATE PLACEMENT WITH A LEADING GLOBAL EVENTS AGENCY

This year MPI UK & Ireland and BCD Meetings & Events are working together to offer the winner of this scholarship a paid 18 month graduate placement at BCD Meetings and Events, starting September 2024. The winner will have the chance to work within each of the key lines of business to learn and work with some of the best in the industry and experience what it means to work for a global meetings agency.


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WHAT DOES AN INTERNSHIP WITH BCD M&E INVOLVE?

Graduate Event Coordinator is an entry level role which offers a rotation across our key line of business within BCD Meetings & Events UK. This is an 18-month programme which will give you a great foundation and build your skills to continue your career within the meetings and events industry. Upon completion of the programme, you will have gained valuable insight into the workings of a Global Meetings & Events agency – one of the best in the industry!


YOUR SCHOLARSHIP AT BCD MEETINGS & EVENTS AT A GLANCE

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DURATION
18 Months

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COMPETITIVE SALARY
£24000 - £28000

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LOCATION
United Kingdom

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START DATE
September 2024


PREVIOUS WINNERS

Hear from a previous winner Lauren Thomas on her journey through and after the Vanessa Cotton Scholarship.
"Within 2 months, I had a whole new set of friends, a whole new set of colleagues... and it felt like my career was really starting."


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JOIN A TEAM THAT SETS THE STANDARD IN MEETINGS & EVENTS

BCD Meetings & Events design exceptional experiences that spark connections for their clients, and they aim to do the same for their people. Their global teams are comprised of talented creatives who share a passion for bringing people together in the most remarkable and exciting of ways. They are always looking for new and unique perspectives that can push the art of meeting and event design forward.


EVENT MANAGEMENT AGENCY INTERNSHIP

Applications close Friday 10th May 2024

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

VANESSA COTTON SCHOLARSHIP FAQS

All final-year students, currently studying a meetings industry-related degree/diploma in UK or Ireland
The winner will gain experience across all event-based key lines of business at BCD Meetings & Events. This will include venue sourcing, logistics and event management departments working across world-renowned brands in the tech, FMCG, finance and pharmaceutical industries
The placement lasts 18 months
The placement starts in September 2024
Applications close Friday 10th May 2024
The Vanessa Cotton Scholarship winner will be announced in June 2024
BCD M&E have 4 locations across the UK - Derby, Fleet, London and Milton Keynes
The first step is to complete the application form. Entrants will be expected to demonstrate their previous events-related work experience, both paid and voluntary. Successful stage one applicants will be invited for an interview, before the winner is announced in June 2024. 
Please contact Nathalie and Stijn on our Future Leaders Team: futureleaders@mpiuki.org if you have any questions on the application process