Ellements won through to the final of The Next Big Thing

ISES AGM hosts first qualifying heat of NBT: exclusive pictures

Jeremy King, 22 July 2009

The International Special Events Society (ISES) AGM and summer party held at Forman's Fish Island last night (21 July) hosted the first qualifying heat of The Next Big Thing and saw two acts, Matthew Crane and Ellements, voted through to the final.

On a night of high drama, immediate past president of ISES Will Broome handed over the reins to new president Zanine Adams. She outlined her plans for the coming year for the association and introduced her new board to the 200 guests that had filled Formans Fish Island in the east of London.

To see the galleries, and there are two, click here.

After the handover guests were treated to networking and entertainment via the first qualifying heat of The Next Big Thing, organised by Event UK and supported by Event magazine, Sternberg Clarke and IML.

Compered by Event editor Jeremy King this first heat saw six acts compete for a place in the final of The Next Big Thing at Event UK in the NEC from 22-23 September. One act was voted through by the audience, while the other was nominated by a panel of judges that included Adams, Eventia CEO Izania Downie, Sternberg Clarke owner Adam Strernberg and Forman's Fish Island owner Lance Forman.

The audience voted young baritone Matthew Crane into the final, while the judges voted Ellements in.

For more pictures provided by Robin Lipton from Picture-U click here

There are set to be two more qualifying heats before the final, so make sure you stay tuned to eventmagazine.co.uk for the details.