The NCBMP Student Education and Development Program is designed to attract students from colleges and universities across the country. We are interested in students pursuing careers in all segments of Hospitality including, but not limited to: DMOs, Meeting Planning, Lodging, Food & Beverage, Sports/Sports Facilities, Travel, Audio/Visual, Design, and Hospitality Law. 

The short-term goal is to re-incarnate and develop this initiative for NCBMP for presentation as we celebrate the upcoming 41st anniversary on November 13-16, 2024, in Birmingham, Alabama. Up to ten students will be selected to attend/participate in this year’s conference. We will provide educational sessions and networking opportunities, and award scholarships on behalf of NCBMP to assist them toward graduation.

The long-term goal is to become an organization of support for students as they approach graduation from their prospective colleges and universities. We will achieve this goal via our four pillars of operation: 
membership, mentorship, education, and scholarship. As students enter the workforce, we will encourage them to maintain membership and participation within NCBMP.

Pillars of Operation:

• Membership – Locate and recruit students attending 4-year institutions seeking a career in all areas of Hospitality. NCBMP will offer a network of business professionals to help guide their career paths
• Mentorship – Provide students an opportunity to build relationships with professionals from various segments of hospitality working in different capacities to contribute toward professional 
  development. 
• Education – Provide an interactive learning experience during the NCBMP Annual conference geared towards adding insightful contributions and continued knowledge as it pertains to doing business in the Hospitality Industry.
• Scholarship – Award students the ability to gain financial assistance towards completing their education. Student selection will be based on program eligibility and the ability to successfully complete the application process.

Onsite Leadership Modules and Leaning Outcomes to Include:

• Business Etiquette
• Networking Skills
• Career Exploration and Planning
• Event Shadowing and Tours 
  

Upon completion of the conference weekend, one $2500 and two $1000 scholarships can be awarded to students who display mastery of not just educational components of hospitality but also exemplify the mission of NCBMP.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

To be considered for these awards, students must meet the following criteria:

1. BIPOC Student enrolled in a 4-year accredited college or university. (Preferred)
2.  Junior or Senior pursuing a major in the hospitality industry.
3. A minimum academic average grade of "C+" or above. On a grade point average scale of four (4.00), the QCA/GPA must be 2.50 or above.
4. Submit a complete application packet with all requested information and attachments, including two letters of recommendation, a resume, and an essay that must accompany the application.
5. Candidates must plan to arrive at the conference Wednesday, November 13, 2024, and depart Saturday afternoon, Saturday, November 16, 2024, and participate in all required components and events. 

NOMINATION & APPLICATION PROCESS

NCBMP seeks outstanding hospitality students from around the country who demonstrate academic excellence and leadership ability. Students are selected to attend the NCBMP conference in ONE of the following ways:

• Advisor Nomination: Advisors nominate students based upon academic achievement and leadership qualities. Students nominated by their university are sent an invitation to enroll and are selected for admission based on the review of their application and space availability.
• Member Nomination: NCBMP members may nominate a student based on the criteria listed above.
• Merit Application: Students who have not received an invitation are invited to apply based on academic merit, extracurricular accomplishment, and leadership potential. A school counselor, teacher or principal recommendation must accompany the application. 

NOMINATING INSTRUCTIONS

Completed nomination packets must be submitted to NCBMP by Friday, May 31, 2024 at 11:59 pm ET.

Applications must include the following:

1. Nomination form
   
   
2. Two Letters of recommendation:
   1. One must be from the student’s faculty advisor to include an evaluation of the candidate’s qualifications.
   2. The second should address academic or community accomplishments and leadership potential. Example: a supervisor at your volunteer organization, your fraternity/sorority/civic organization president or vice president, church/worship center elder. Recommendations from any relatives of the applicant are not acceptable.)
      
      
3. Student’s resume (Limited to two 2 pages)
   
   
4. Statement of interest cover letter: In a one-page statement, the student should explain why he or she wishes to participate in the Conference and how the experience might contribute to his or her professional development.
   
   
5. Essay: Please choose one of the following and complete an essay (350 words)
   1. Write a letter to yourself 10 years from now. Detail your goals and 10 years in the events industry. Include any challenges you may have faced and how you overcame them.
   2. Plan and describe your own conference for 2028. What sessions are you attending and why? What activities are you looking forward to?
   3. Describe the importance of diversity and inclusion in the events industry. What challenges and advantages do inclusive meetings have and how do you help advocate for them?
   4. It’s 2029, how did you apply what you apply what you learned from the 2024 NCBMP conference in your career? How do key contacts that you met at the conference continue to influence your career?

ACCEPTANCE

Students will be notified of acceptance no later than Friday, June 28, 2024. Upon acceptance, students will receive an individual student packet outlining virtual pre-conference training dates and conference details, no later than August 19. Acceptance to the program includes conference fees, housing, transportation, course materials, student activities, and meals.

NOTIFICATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS

Recipients will be awarded at the NCBMP BRUNCH on Saturday, November 16, 2024.

Scholarship checks distributed by NCBMP will be written to the award recipient and sent to the institution within 60 days following the annual conference.

Questions

Please email Jason Dunn with any questions regarding the program or application at jdunn@ncbmp.org.

Paper version of application

Click here to download a PDF version of the application for reference.

You must submit online using the electronic form below.

SUBMISSION FORM

Gather all of your required files and documents before starting the application, as you must complete the form in one sitting.

When you click the Submit you will then be directed to a checkout screen where you must pay the $50 application fee.  Forms submitted without paying the fee will not be processed.