• Elevate launched its 11th year with its biggest kick-off event to date
• A record-breaking 954 participants from 367 businesses have joined the 2026 programme
• Elevate has now supported more than 3,000 event professionals since it was founded
Elevate, the world’s largest peer-led mentoring and personal development programme for the events industry, hosted its annual kick-off event in London on 22 April to launch its 2026 programme. Since it was founded, the free-to-join programme has supported over 3,000 individuals across the sector.
Held at White Rabbit Studios in Shoreditch, the event welcomed over 300 guests for the start of Elevate’s biggest cohort yet. A record-breaking 954 participants have been matched, representing 367 different businesses. Elevate’s mentors bring more than 5,404 years of industry experience, with applicants from 18 countries, including new hubs in Australia and the USA.
The evening also celebrated Elevate NewGen, the programme’s youth-focused initiative supporting emerging underrepresented talent through mentoring, industry connections, skills development and real-world experience.
Elevate also introduced its 2026 programme partners, led by headline partners Amplify, Seed and Wonder, alongside global partners Cvent, Identity, First, Illusion, Inconf, Powwow, PSP and The Production Department. They are joined by Asembl Group, CastleBell, Curious Nation, Jimmy Garcia Catering, Event Decision, Hel’s, We Are Collider, Seen Presents, 2LK, TRO, Live Union and The Training Department, alongside White Rabbit Studios as venue partner, Special Sauce Training as training partner and TIMES x10 and Nic Neal as people and culture partners. Together, they support Elevate’s mission to transform lives, careers and the industry for the better.
Max Fellows commented: “When we launched Elevate in 2015, we could never have imagined the community it would become. We are incredibly grateful to every mentor who gives their time so generously and to our partners for their continued belief in what we do.”
Melissa Noakes added: “A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at White Rabbit Studios for our 2026 kick-off and to all those who continue to make Elevate so impactful. We can’t wait to see the mentoring journeys that unfold this year.”
Peter Kerwood said: “Every year, Elevate reminds us just how much talent, generosity and goodwill exists across our industry. This year’s kick-off brought that to life in the most powerful way, with a room full of people ready to connect, support each other.”
Elevate remains committed to shaping the future of the events industry, one mentoring relationship at a time.
