Nominations for the Class of 2026 are now OPEN.

Nominations Open: February 17, 2026 | Nominations Deadline: March 6, 2026

Application Round 1 Essay Deadline:  March 27, 2026
By April 24, 2026, you will be informed if you were selected for Round 2.  

Application Round 2 Video Submission Deadline:  May 15, 2026

Class of 2026 Announced by: June 5, 2026

• Nominees must be 30 years of age or younger at the time of the award (June 5, 2026)
• Nominees must be employed in the venue industry
• Nominees do not have to be current IAVM members, however, the person nominating must be a current IAVM member
• Industry executive leadership (IAVM members only) may nominate ONE candidate. There may be multiple candidates submitted from the same venue, but they must be nominated by different IAVM members from within the venue. 

There are two (2) rounds of the application and selection process.

• Round 1
  • All applicants must answer two (2) pre-selected essay questions in 300 words or less. Deadline to apply is March 27, 2026.
• Round 2 – Applicants informed of advancement by April 24, 2026.
  
  • 50 applicants will be selected to submit a YouTube video, which answers predetermined prompt questions.  Applicants are encouraged to show their creativity, describe their passion for the industry and illustrate what sets them apart from other candidates.
  • Video deadline: May 15, 2026.
  • Videos must be shot on personal, handheld devices (i.e., a cell phone) and be limited to two minutes. Videos may not be filmed or edited using professional audio-visual production equipment. Any variance from this rule or the time limit will cause candidate’s disqualification.
  • Applicants should eliminate any self-identifying facts in their videos, including names and referring to venues with whom they have or currently are employed.
• A panel of industry professionals will review submissions for both rounds of application.
• The 2026 Class of 30|UNDER|30 honorees will be notified via email from the IAVM Foundation by June 1, 2026 and announced by June 5, 2026.
• Honorees may only be selected for the program once. Previous honorees are ineligible.
• IAVM will provide honorees with a full registration to VenueConnect, IAVM’s Annual Conference & Trade Show in Indianapolis, IN, August 9-12, 2026. Registration does not include optional activity fees, such as the Foundation’s annual golf tournament.
• A schedule of required events will be sent to honorees.
• Following selection, video submissions of honorees may be used publicly, for future marketing promotions, and at the convention.