Acts announced for first heat of The Next Big Thing

Acts aspiring to be the hottest new talent in corporate entertainment include:

Piano and cello duo Y Squared;

A capella singing group The Penny Arcade Quartet;

Vintage band The Bellinis;

Original Magic by Oliver Meech;

Folk musicians The Salts;

Alex the Mind Reader; and

Katie Clarke with her piano variety act.

PowerVote UK will be supplying interactive voting pads for the X Factor-style competition, so you can choose your favourite to win and go through to the semi-final, being held at International Confex on 19-21 March.

The Next Big Thing stalwart Adam Sternberg will be among the panel of judges.

Canapés and Prosecco will be served on arrival, and there will be a free bar until 9pm. Click here to make sure you bag a place on the guest list.

Last year's winner was singer Iona Thomas. She walked away with £1,000 and a contract with Sternberg Clarke, along with a glowing endorsement from the event industry.

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