Dominique Dashwood-Evans, a final year Hospitality student at the School of Tourism, Bournemouth University, has been announced as the winner of the Vanessa Cotton Memorial scholarship 2011.
MPI UK & Ireland chapter hosted a cocktail reception on the middle day of EIBTM, Barcelona and Samme Allen, MPI UK & Ireland chapter President proudly announced this year’s worthy winner of the sought after scholarship.
The scholarship will provide Dominique with sponsored registration, accommodation and travel to experience the professional development and networking at the European Meetings & Events Conference (EMEC) taking place in Budapest, 29 - 31 January 2012.
“We are extremely honoured to be able to announce the winner of the Vanessa Cotton Memorial scholarship at EIBTM this year; thank you to Excel London and Reed Travel Expo for their support to help make this happen” said Samme Allen, MPI UK & Ireland chapter President.
“Dominique’s application was extremely well thought out, she clearly has a passion for our industry based on the work she has done to date (mostly on a voluntary basis), and in the judges' opinion she demonstrated a strong understanding of the value and significance of this award. We believe she is a worthy recipient.”
Dominique will be mentored at EMEC 2012 by members of the UK Chapter board and members of the Excel London and Reed Travel Expo team”
“Winning the scholarship was a huge surprise, attending the conference will provide me with the opportunity to develop a more professional presentation building my confidence for future occasions” said Dominique Dashwood-Evans, final year hospitality student at the School of Tourism, Bournemouth University.
“It will also prove invaluable for my dissertation which looks into ‘how social media can influence the decision making of events planners' as social media is a topic which will be covered in the specific interest sessions at the conference."
"I am also very grateful as I am keen to build relationships with both suppliers and planners for my future career. I would like to thank my three referees who helped me to win this award, Simon Thomas from Bournemouth University, Natalie Mainwaring from CH&Co and of course, my mentor Peter Haigh.”
