Future You Belfast 2025: INSPIRE, INNOVATION, IMPACT
Future You returns to Northern Ireland in partnership with Belfast Met and ICC Belfast
The ITT Future You Foundation is excited to announce its return to Belfast, once again partnering with Belfast Metropolitan College to host the highly anticipated Future You Belfast 2025. This event provides students across Northern Ireland with an immersive experience exploring careers in travel, tourism, and events.
This tailored event brings together industry professionals, students and recruiters to share the future of Tourism Events, from hospitality to aviation industries with the aim to INSPIRE future industry talent by showcasing the vast opportunity of diverse careers across the industry, encourage INNOVATION through creative initiatives that IMPACT the growth of the tourism and events sector.
Building on the success of previous years, Future You Belfast featured inspirational industry leaders, interactive panel discussions, and a dedicated careers expo, offering students direct insight into the dynamic world of travel and tourism. The event brought together top professionals from across the sector and showcased both established and young professionals who have recently started their careers in the industry, sharing insights on their journey and advice for future talent.
Claire Steiner, UK Director, Global Travel and Tourism Partnership/Co-Founder, ITT Future You and Future You Foundation will moderate the event. Claire has recently been recognised as an Association of Woman Travel Executives (AWTE) Inspirational Women in Travel. Claire was joined this year by guest speakers;
- Ciara Davidson, Head of Governance and Stakeholder Engagement, ICC Belfast, Waterfront Hall, and Ulster Hall and AIPC Future Shaper Taskforce member (International Association of Convention Centres).
- Eimear Callaghan, Head of Experience & Industry Development at Tourism Northern Ireland.
- Joshua Wilson, a Belfast Met student alumnus who is now working with Hayes Travel in Belfast following a role with Celebrity Cruises in Fort Lauderdale Florida. Joshua is a previous Chair of the Institute of Hospitality Student committee in Wales, an ambassador for University of Wales Trinity St David where Joshua as a student planned the first ITT Future You to take place in Wales.
- Beth Murphy, Business Events Account Manager at Visit Belfast. Beth is also an alumnus of Belfast Met and Ulster University. With a career journey that’s included business development roles at Titanic Belfast and Room2 Hometels BCorp. Beth will share her passion for Belfast’s hospitality and tourism industry.
The audience also heard from a panel of students including Sarah McBride, Event Management student on placement with Mount Charles at Kingspan Stadium, Sarah previously experienced a year on Turing placement Auckland New Zealand. Zoe Foulis, Event Management Student on placement at ICC Belfast, Waterfront Hall, and Ulster Hall, Zoe was student Event Manager for ITT Future you last year. Dylan Bamber, Tourism student in final year at Ulster University and previous NI Travel News placement student and TJ Shaw-Morrison, HLA Event Management Student currently working with Eventsec.
This year's event featured the NI Travel News sponsored Content Creation Hub and an interactive careers expo, where local travel, tourism and event businesses will showcase the diverse career pathways available. Students had the chance to network with industry leaders, explore job opportunities and gain firsthand knowledge about internships, apprenticeships, and graduate roles.
Ciara Davidson, Head of Governance and Stakeholder Engagement, ICC Belfast, Waterfront Hall, and Ulster Hall commented:
"I am truly delighted to be speaking at Future You Belfast 2025, an event that plays a vital role in shaping the future of travel, tourism, and events in Northern Ireland."
This gathering is more than just an opportunity to share knowledge—it’s about inspiring the next generation, fostering innovation, and building a lasting legacy for students in Belfast and beyond.
"By connecting aspiring professionals with industry leaders, we are empowering young talent to seize the vast opportunities within this dynamic sector and drive its future success."
Sarah Pickering, Associate Editor, NI Travel News commented: "We are delighted, once again, to be involved in this year's ITT Future You event."
Speaking with young, talented individuals, who are keen to get involved in the ever-growing industry of travel and tourism is extremely important, and as a media company within the industry, it's refreshing to see so many new and upcoming talent eager to get involved.
"As a multi-media platform, NI Travel News uses content creation and the ever-changing world of social media to elevate our media presence, whilst also presenting daily, weekly, and monthly news to the right audience. It is therefore imperative for up-and-coming individuals wanting to enter the world of travel and tourism to get to grips with this expanding part of the industry - this is why NI Travel News is excited to sponsor the brand-new Content Creation Hub for 2025."
