With 25 years in sales and more than 16 years in the events industry, Anthony Mitchell brings a breadth of experience spanning commercial leadership, event launches, business growth, team development and talent. His career has taken him across major national and international B2B and B2C exhibitions, festivals, and M&A, giving him a first-hand understanding of what it takes to build commercially successful events that deliver for audiences, clients, and organisers alike. Today, at tfconnect, Anthony gets to serve an industry he is so passionate about via another critical layer of the events ecosystem: helping leading events businesses identify and secure the leadership and talent that will shape their future.

His experience includes delivering the 'Coronation Festival at Buckingham Palace', commemorating 60 years since the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II; launching 'Design Shanghai', which went on to become one of Asia’s leading international design events; and serving as Managing Director of the NEC’s Pendigo Events, to name just a few career highlights. Alongside his leadership roles, Anthony has coached and developed sales teams internationally, both within the events industry and for organisations including major technology companies and within the Big 4. This combination of operator, commercial leader and coach has given him a particularly rounded perspective on what exceptional individual and team performance looks like.

He approaches judging with a genuine appreciation for the work that happens behind the scenes, recognising those who consistently go above and beyond, alongside a deep respect for the resilience, creativity and ambition that continue to move the events industry forward. It is this breadth of experience and perspective that Anthony brings to his role as a judge for the AEO People’s Awards 2027.