A PRESTIGIOUS events management scholarship has been won by a Wrexham Glyndwr University student.

Ebony Banks, from Llanfairfechan, who is in her final year on the university’s Hospitality, Tourism and Events Management degree, was among eight nominees shortlisted for the Vanessa Cotton Scholarship Award. The award – now in its seventh year – was created in memory of an events industry professional who died in 2010 after fighting cancer.

This year’s winner receives a scholarship with Reed Travel Exhibitions, one of the world’s leading events organisers. The results were announced at an event in London, hosted at the Melia White House hotel by Meetings Professionals International.

Ebony said: “When I got to the ceremony, there were lots of other university students there – this was a national competition and lots of parts of the country had been represented, although I was the only shortlisted nominee from a Welsh university. I knew I had made the shortlist, but I spent the whole train journey down to London trying not to get my hopes up – it was an honour just to be shortlisted. Then, they said my name and announced I had won! I just sat there in shock for a few moments, it was such a great feeling to win the scholarship!”

As part of the month-long, paid internship which Ebony has won, she will be working in departments across Reed Travel Exhibitions, learning all about the work the world-leading organisation carries out

She added: “It’s really exciting and Reed attract some really fascinating speakers – I’m looking at one of the events they are setting up in Barcelona, and at the same event last year they had speakers from Disney and Elon Musk’s Space X. My internship is likely to be in the summer next year, and I can’t wait.”

Senior lecturer and Programme leader on the BA (Hons) Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management course Jacqueline Hughes-Lundy said: ““Our programme has been designed so that students like Ebony get the skills they need.”