Over the course of the CN 30underThirty programme, Conference News will be speaking to members of the programme about their professional journey and the causes they’re championing to shape a more inclusive, forward-thinking industry.
This week, we meet Megan Earl, account manager at Hotel and Travel Solutions. She discusses her passion for championing the perception, development, and visibility of young professionals within the events industry.
What made you want to get involved in the industry and why?
After a year studying Interior Design at university, I realised it wasn’t the right path for me. I wanted to channel my creativity, organisational skills, and passion for planning into a career that I could truly enjoy and grow within.
Events and experiences had always been a huge part of my family and social life. Every special occasion growing up had a schedule, a plan, and a creative vision behind it, whether it was a birthday, Mother’s Day, or even a Sunday roast. Creating experiences and lasting memories was simply part of who I was. Seeing that passion translated into a professional career meant moving my degree to Event Management became an easy decision.
It may sound cliché, but event management was a dream career I didn’t even know existed. Once I discovered it, everything fell into place. Throughout university, I immersed myself in planning my own events and experiences while also working at a boutique events venue. Those opportunities gave me invaluable hands-on experience and marked the beginning of a journey that has grown into the career I am proud to have today.
What is the first career highlight that comes to mind?
One of the first highlights for me was attending The Meeting Show during my first year at Hotel and Travel Solutions. At the time, I was young, new to the industry, and attending the event on my own. I arrived with very limited industry knowledge and little to no connections, but a genuine drive to learn as much as possible and meet as many people as I could.
What surprised me most was how welcoming and supportive the industry was. The people I met genuinely loved what they did and were incredibly generous with their time, advice, and knowledge. I left with far more than venue and industry insights; I gained valuable perspectives, real-world advice, and connections that university never could have taught me.
Looking back, I am so grateful for those early conversations and the people who invested their time in me at the very beginning of my career. I may not have attended with years of experience, industry history, or expert opinions to contribute, but I brought a new perspective, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn. Those first interactions gave me confidence that I belonged in the industry and laid the foundations for my career.
What is the biggest challenge you have overcome?
One of the biggest challenges I faced early in my career was overcoming imposter syndrome. Arriving as one of the youngest people in the room often felt both intimidating and empowering. Surrounded by professionals with decades of experience and industry knowledge, there were times when I questioned whether I belonged.
As someone new to the industry, I made a conscious decision to challenge myself to speak up, ask questions, and create space for my voice in conversations. While confidence does not always reflect how someone feels internally, I firmly believe that growth often comes from pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone – ‘fake it ‘till you make it!’. There were many moments when I felt I didn’t know enough, couldn’t offer enough, or that everyone around me was far more experienced and established than I was.
What helped me overcome those feelings was the support of my peers and the realisation that every expert was once a beginner. I learned that being the youngest person in the room wasn’t a disadvantage, it meant I could bring fresh ideas, curiosity, and a different viewpoint. Overcoming imposter syndrome gave me the confidence to trust my abilities, contribute more, and ultimately make my mark within the industry.
What have you learned about yourself since entering the events world?
The biggest thing I have learned about myself since entering the events industry is that I am worthy of a seat at the table.
I would question whether I was experienced enough, knowledgeable enough, or established enough to belong in the rooms I found myself in. It is easy to compare yourself to those with years of experience and allow self-doubt to impact your confidence, your role, and the value you believe you can bring to clients and colleagues.
However, the experiences I have had, the incredible team around me, and the support of my peers have taught me that growth comes from believing in your own potential. I have learned that you do not need decades of experience to make a meaningful contribution. Curiosity, determination, and a willingness to learn can be just as valuable.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would build a career in events doing a job I genuinely love. To have that journey recognised through the CN 30 Under 30 2026 award and the Tomorrow’s Talent 2024 award has been incredibly affirming. More importantly, those achievements have reinforced a lesson that took me years to fully embrace: trust your abilities, back yourself, and never underestimate what you are capable of achieving.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice when starting out in events, what would it be?
If I could give my younger self one piece of advice when starting out, it would be to embrace being uncomfortable and not be afraid to push your own boundaries.
Some of the most valuable lessons and greatest opportunities come when you step outside of your comfort zone. Speak up, ask the question, attend the event on your own, introduce yourself to new people, and take opportunities even when they feel intimidating. Growth rarely happens when you stay where it feels safe.
I would also remind myself that I do not need to be anyone else to succeed in this industry. One of the things I have come to value most is that people buy people. Clients, colleagues, and industry peers value authenticity, passion, and genuine relationships. The qualities that make you different are often the qualities that make you memorable.
Trust yourself, stay curious, and remember that your perspective has value. The sooner you stop worrying about fitting in and start focusing on being yourself, the sooner you can make a meaningful impact.
How important are schemes such as CN 30under30 and do you believe the industry does enough to support young professionals?
Schemes such as CN 30 Under 30 are incredibly important because they recognise and celebrate the achievements of young professionals who may otherwise go unnoticed within the wider industry.
While my own experience has been overwhelmingly positive and I have been fortunate to be supported by many welcoming and encouraging peers, it can still be challenging for young professionals to find their place. Many events, awards, and recognition programmes naturally focus on longevity, career achievements, and well-known names built over decades of experience. While that recognition is important, it is equally important to create opportunities for emerging talent to be seen, heard, and celebrated.
What makes schemes such as CN 30 Under 30 so valuable is that they do more than recognise individual success. They bring together ambitious, passionate professionals who are all at different stages of their careers but share a common drive to shape the future of the industry. The opportunity to connect, learn from one another, and build meaningful relationships is just as valuable as the recognition itself.
I believe the industry has made significant progress in supporting young professionals, but there is always more that can be done. Creating platforms for new voices, encourage mentorship, and provide opportunities to connect with industry leaders will be essential for the future. Today’s rising talent will become tomorrow’s industry leaders, and investing in that next generation benefits the entire events industry.
How do you see the events industry changing over the next five years, and how do you want to be part of that change?
Over the next five years, I believe the events industry will continue to evolve through collaboration and innovation. ESG has been one of the most significant drivers of change in recent years and is now firmly established as a core industry expectation rather than a passing trend. What began as a “buzzword” has, through open and collaborative industry discussion, translated into the meaningful and positive change we see today. As the industry continues to move forward, I think the next key focus will be on talent development, workforce sustainability, and creating meaningful, long-term careers within the sector.
I strongly believe that the future of the industry is shaped by the conversations we have today. Industry conferences and forums hosted by associations such as beam and The MIA, play a vital role in driving that progress by sharing ideas, challenging thinking, and setting the agenda for change. Through my involvement with the MIA taskforce, I am proud to contribute to these discussions by helping to develop topics that are relevant, insightful, and designed to encourage positive change.
A key area I feel passionate about is the perception and support of emerging talent. There is often a narrative around younger professionals that does not fully reflect the reality of the ambition, resilience, and creativity they bring to the industry. At the same time, it is important to recognise that new people are joining the workforce during a period of economic uncertainty, which can add additional pressure when building a career.
I believe the industry has a real opportunity to address this by investing more in mentorship, training, accessible development pathways, and open conversations around progression and support. Schemes such as CN 30 Under 30 are a powerful example of how emerging talent can be celebrated and given a platform alongside established industry leaders.
Ultimately, I want to be part of an industry that champions its people at every stage of their career. By encouraging collaboration between generations, amplifying new voices, and contributing to meaningful industry discussions, I hope to help shape a future where talent is recognised, supported, and empowered to thrive regardless of age or experience.
What kind of legacy do you hope to leave in the industry?
The industry is still not widely recognised as a career path, despite offering incredible opportunities for growth, creativity, and long-term development. I am passionate about changing that by raising awareness of the sector and showing how careers in hospitality and events can evolve into something much broader and more established.
I also want to help shift perceptions around young professionals, encouraging businesses to see early talent as an asset rather than a risk. Fresh perspectives, energy, and a willingness to learn can bring huge value to teams and organisations.
If I can help more people discover the industry and support a culture that invests in emerging talent, that is the legacy I hope to leave.
What is an issue or topic within the industry that you think is important and want to champion? Can you explain a bit about it?
The topic I am most passionate about championing is the perception, development, and visibility of young professionals within the events industry.
The events sector is filled with talented, ambitious, and creative people, yet it is still not widely recognised as a career path by many young people. At the same time, there can be assumptions made about younger generations, particularly Gen Z, that they are less committed, less resilient, or less willing to work hard than previous generations. In my experience, this does not reflect the reality of the young professionals I have met throughout the industry. I believe there is an opportunity to better showcase the value that emerging talent brings to organisations through fresh perspectives, adaptability, creativity, and a genuine desire to learn.
Why is this particular issue or topic important to you?
This topic is deeply personal to me because I entered the industry at a young age and often found myself being the least experienced person in the room. While I was fortunate to be supported by incredible colleagues and industry peers, I also experienced moments of self-doubt and questioned whether I truly belonged.
I was not aware of the events industry as a career path when I was younger, and had I known about the opportunities available, I would have pursued it much sooner. That experience has made me passionate about ensuring more young people are introduced to the industry earlier and that they feel confident in pursuing careers within it.
I also believe that age should never be mistaken for capability. Some of the most innovative ideas and valuable contributions can come from those who bring a fresh perspective, regardless of how many years of experience they have.
What do you plan to do to continue to champion/topic?
I plan to continue championing young professionals by contributing to industry discussions, supporting initiatives that recognise emerging talent, and sharing my own experiences openly to encourage others entering the sector.
Through my involvement with the MIA taskforce, I have the opportunity to help shape conversations that drive positive industry change, and I hope to continue using platforms like this to advocate for greater support, visibility, and opportunities for early-career professionals.
As my career develops, I would also like to become more involved in mentoring and engaging with students and young professionals who may be considering a career in events, helping them understand the opportunities available and supporting them as they take their first steps into the industry.
What can the industry itself do to better champion this topic?
I believe the industry can make a significant impact by building stronger relationships with schools, colleges, and universities. Many students are simply unaware of the opportunities available within events and hospitality sector. Greater collaboration through guest lectures, careers events, work experience placements, internships, and industry partnerships would help raise awareness and create more accessible pathways into the profession.
The industry can also do more to challenge outdated perceptions of younger generations. Rather than focusing on perceived differences between generations, we should focus on the strengths that each generation brings. By creating environments where experienced professionals and emerging talent can learn from one another, organisations will benefit from both established expertise and fresh thinking.
Ultimately, the future of the industry depends on the people entering it today. Investing in young professionals, celebrating their achievements, and providing opportunities for growth will ensure the events industry remains innovative, resilient, and successful for years to come.
