Fast Forward 15 is delighted to announce that tickets are now officially on sale for the 2026 Fast Forward 15 Mentoring Awards, taking place at the iconic The QEII Centre in Westminster on Friday 24th April 2026, in partnership with the Association of Business Mentors.
The highly anticipated awards evening will bring together professionals from across the events industry, for a vibrant celebration of the mentors, mentees and organisations championing talent development and leadership across the sector.
With a lively and vibrant theme, this year’s event promises an energetic and uplifting evening designed to recognise the power of mentorship while connecting the industry in a relaxed yet celebratory atmosphere. Guests will enjoy a three-course dinner created by QEII Taste, the venue’s award-winning in-house catering team, followed by the awards ceremony and networking opportunities with industry peers and leaders.
Ticket registration closes on Monday 6th April, and early bird tickets are available until Friday 24th March, so besure to secure your place. Register here.
Join us to:
✨Celebrate industry mentoring
✨Network with mentors and mentees
✨Enjoy a celebratory and party atmosphere
✨See this fantastic venue live in action
✨Support a friend or colleague who’s been shortlisted
✨Discover what the Fast Forward 15 programme is all about
More information about the event, including details on those shortlisted, can be found here.
Partnership with the Association of Business Mentors
This year’s awards are in partnership with the Association of Business Mentors (ABM), one of our two headline sponsors. The Association of Business Mentors is the professional body for business mentoring. Through exceptional training, a thriving membership, and high standards of accreditation, they empower mentors and leaders to create lasting change for businesses of all shapes and sizes. ABM champions ethical, effective, and high-impact mentoring, values that sit right at the heart of the Fast Forward 15 mission to empower women in the events, hospitality and travel sectors to reach their full potential.
With the events, hospitality and travel industry expertise of Fast Forward 15 founder Fay Sharpe, and ABM’s professional mentoring standards and nationwide network, the partnership aims to champion impactful mentoring that drives both personal and business growth. Together, they share a vision to raise the profile of mentoring within business, recognising the mentors and mentees making a real difference, and inspiring more organisations to embed mentoring within their culture.
Reflecting on the partnership, ABM CEO Georgina Waite said:
“We had the privilege of judging at last year’s FF15 awards and were struck by the passion and dedication shown by mentors and mentees across the industry. The energy in the room on awards night and seen throughout all the entries was infectious. It was clear how deeply people cared about helping others grow through the power of mentoring. Partnering with FF15 felt like a natural step for us. Our values are aligned in celebrating and promoting the power of mentoring within business to help people grow and thrive.”
An Evening at the QEII Centre
FF15 is proud to announce the QEII Centre as its second headline sponsor and official venue partner for the 2026 awards.
Situated opposite World Heritage Site, Westminster Abbey and widely regarded as a beacon of British excellence, the 7-floor venue offers 32 adaptable conference and events spaces opposite Westminster Abbey, and hosts around 400 national and international events each year.
Guests will enjoy a three-course dinner created by QEII Taste, the talented in-house catering team, a celebratory awards ceremony, and dedicated networking opportunities designed to inspire and connect industry professionals.
The QEII Centre’s reputation for excellence is well-documented, securing multiple awards including three gold awards at the Eventex Awards 2025 (in Venue, Versatile Venue and Venue Event Team categories), two gold awards at the Eventex Awards 2024 for Large Venue and Sustainable Venue and gold at the London Venue & Catering Awards 2023 (The Sustainability Award for Caterers).
Supporting FF15 Initiatives
As with previous years, the event will also raise vital funds to support two key Fast Forward 15 initiatives:
Fast Forward 15 Mentoring Programme – Founded by Fay Sharpe OBE, this not-for-profit, award-winning initiative provides aspiring female event professionals with invaluable mentorship from leading industry figures. Now in its eleventh year, the programme continues to empower women to accelerate their careers and shape the industry’s future.
FF15 University Challenge – A unique development programme that bridges the gap between education and employment. The challenge equips students with essential skills in creativity, project management, and networking to support their transition into professional roles within the events and hospitality sector.
Together, FastForward15 and ABM will celebrate innovation, collaboration and inspiration across the sector, and with their support, this year’s Awards promise to be our most memorable and impactful yet.
For more information about the QEII Centre, visit www.qeiicentre.london. For more about the Association of Business Mentors, visit associationofbusinessmentors.org.
