At the beginning of February 2026, I had the pleasure of volunteering for the Schools Engagement Programme, delivering a careers session at Ursuline High School Wimbledon alongside five other professions including surveyors, a doctor and an accountant.

The assembly took place in front of approximately 210 Year 9 pupils, a brilliant opportunity to showcase the breadth and diversity of the events industry to young people who may never have considered it as a career path. Although my speaking slot was scheduled for 20 minutes, it was shortened to 15 as earlier sessions overran. That said, the flexibility of the format meant we were still able to bring real energy and personality to the presentation.

All volunteers are provided with a core presentation from The Power of Events, designed to introduce students to the scale and scope of the industry. The real impact comes from bringing that framework to life with personal experience. For me, that meant sharing stories from the QEII Centre, referencing high-profile events, notable speakers and attendees and the sheer range of gatherings that fall under the umbrella of “events.” From global political summits to sporting and musical events and festivals, it was rewarding to see how quickly perceptions began to shift as students realised just how varied and dynamic the industry truly is.

With a packed schedule and so many speakers, there was limited time for questions at the end; however, it was incredibly encouraging to see such engagement from the audience. Even without formal feedback, it was clear that many students were surprised by the scale, creativity and career opportunities within the sector.

Initiatives like this are hugely worthwhile. They allow us to champion an industry that offers pathways into marketing, production, hospitality, logistics, technology, sustainability, and so much more. The events industry is fast-paced, people-focused and full of opportunity and programmes like this help ensure the next generation is aware of that.

You can learn more at thepowerofevents.org or sign up to volunteer via schools.thepowerofevents.org.

James Bogle