In the course of the CN 30 Underdarity Program, Conference News talks to program members about what is advocating for professional journeys and shaping a more inclusive and foresighted industry.
This week we will meet Owen Tonks-Lewis, Director of Creative Rebel CIC, business lecturer at Lincoln College and curator and co-organizer of Tedxbrayford pool. Tonks-Lewis has always been drawn to the power of events to bring people together and induce meaningful change. What began as a passion for a united community has rapidly evolved into a deeper commitment to the events industry. Currently, Owen is on a mission to advocate for the role of events as a tool for social sustainability, and advocates for a fundamentally inclusive, community co-curation experience that has lasting impact.
What made you want to join the industry? What is the reason?
I wanted to join the events industry after years of creating events that bring people together. Once I realized that it was a real “industry,” I was passionate about taking part in it because I was very much a believer in the possibilities and opportunities that events could create. Likewise, of course, it’s not a boring industry.
What are the first career highlights that come to mind?
The always-thinking career highlight is listening to intro music for the first meeting I designed and organized. It was almost overwhelming to feel like “I actually did this!”
How important is a scheme like CN30 and do you think the industry is doing enough to support young professionals?
Schemes like CN 30 Undertreety are extremely important as they provide a platform for young professionals to celebrate together and advocate for influence within the industry. The scheme ensures that young professionals are heard, listened and recognized.
I don’t think the industry is doing enough to support young professionals. There are many initiatives and programs in the specialized industry, but these are often inaccessible to those launching grassroots events.
How will the events industry change over the next five years and would you like to be part of that change?
Over the next five years, the event industry is even more leaning towards seeing events as experience. It’s not a new concept, but there was a strong movement towards it. With the rise in digital events and hybrid engagement, events may be needed to feel a wider range of experiences.
I want to be part of the change by ensuring that these experiences are designed for impactful movements along with the community.
What legacy do you want to leave behind in the industry?
The legacy I want to leave in the industry is one of fairness and bold creativity.
What are the issues and topics within the industry? Can you explain a little about that?
The topic I want to champion in the industry is the power of events that develop social sustainability through community cooperative institutions.
The events, intentionally designed to be curated in the community, are fundamentally inclusive and designed with empathy and bold creativity. Through this design process, events can become active changemakers within the community.
Why is this particular issue or topic important to you?
This topic is important to me as I have seen the impact that this has a direct impact. Local events gave me the opportunity I had no access to as a young man.
As a curator at Tedxbrayfordpool and as a management of community events, I am honored to see how this design process can bring communities together and provide the group with space for networking, connectivity and growth.
What are you going to do to continue with the champion/topic?
I plan to ensure that every event I do is embedded around this design process. Every community event involves the community in its design.
We advocate with the aim of continuing this process as we continue to educate new event managers.
What can the industry itself do to better advocate for this topic?
The event industry should include radical inclusion as a systematic change. Embed community design practices at the heart of event planning.
CN 30underthirty is a 12-month program that recognizes and supports young talent in the conference and conference industry. For more information about the 2025 CN 30 Under 30 class, click here.
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