As someone who has worked in the AV production industry for years, I cannot stress enough how crucial diversity and equity are in this field. The industry has long been male-dominated, and while progress has been made, we still have a long way to go in creating a truly diverse and inclusive environment. I have personally witnessed the challenges that women face in this male-dominated industry, and I believe it’s crucial to address them.

Diversity is not just about filling a quota or ticking a box.

It’s about bringing different perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds to the table, which leads to better decision-making, more creativity, and ultimately, better results. When we have a team with diverse voices and viewpoints, we are better equipped to understand and serve our audience.

While some may not see the significance of this topic, it’s important to understand that representation also goes beyond just having a diverse team behind the scenes. It’s about equal opportunities, fair chances, and the right to hold leading positions of power.

Additionally, equity is just as important as diversity. Equity means ensuring that everyone has equal access to opportunities, resources, and support, regardless of their background or identity. It’s about creating a level playing field so that everyone has the chance to succeed.

In the AV production industry, equity is especially important because it can be a highly competitive and challenging field to break into and thrive. When opportunities and resources are not distributed equitably, it can make it even harder for individuals from underrepresented communities to succeed.

Just recently I got asked this question by another female:

Why does female representation in a male-dominated niche matter so much?

Maybe it was asked out of curiosity. It’s a fair question because, at the end of the day, it’s important to understand that not all women have the same journey, and they might not want to engage in this topic.

Just because someone is a woman does not mean that she is an advocate for all women. Not all women believe in the same things. Not all women act in the same way.

Yet, that doesn’t diminish the importance of creating the proper environment for women in event tech and event productions, where women feel included, valued, and respected. This means ensuring that women are present in decision-making spaces and have the same opportunities and fair chances as men. Many people argue that they believe in choosing individuals based on their capabilities and qualities, rather than their gender. Yet, as you look deeper, you see their verbal intentions playing out differently in practice and crew selection. We have to acknowledge the impact that centuries of male supremacy have had on the perception of women in the workplace. It’s not just about women being selected for roles, it’s about the fact that more men are chosen over and over again because it has become so normalized to see them in technical positions and as leaders.

So, why is it important to discuss it?

Diversity and equity in AV productions matter for a number of reasons.

The straight-up answer is that this lack of representation of women sustains unequal and unjust power relations in decision-making.

It is all about VISIBILITY, being present in spaces where important decisions are being made and where important things are discussed.

It is about knowing that as a woman,

you can hold a leading position of power,

your work is valued in the same way as the work of men is valued,

your presence matters, and

you have equal chances of becoming, say a lead engineer, a technical director, a manager, a CEO, or whatever else your ambitious little heart desires, and

you have as many opportunities and fair chances as men have.

When people from different backgrounds and with different perspectives come together, they are more likely to generate new and innovative ideas. This can be especially important in the AV production industry, where new technologies and methods are constantly emerging.

Diversity and equity can also improve decision-making.

When people from different backgrounds and with different perspectives are involved in decision-making, they are more likely to consider all of the angles and come up with the best possible solution.

Diversity and equity can help to create a more inclusive and welcoming workplace environment.

When employees feel like they belong and are valued, they are more likely to be engaged in their work and to be productive. This can be especially important in the AV production industry, where event techs and tech crews often work long hours and under stressful conditions.

While my passion is for women working in the AV and event productions industry, many other male-dominated industries have shown the impact of centuries of male supremacy on the perception of women,

which is the reason why we are talking about women’s representation today.

I am a firm believer that people should be chosen because of their capabilities and qualities not because of their gender,

however, after all these years and what we’ve seen in the workplace in these male-dominated fields,

we have to conclude that more men get chosen over and over again.

Now, I’ve had wonderful male mentors and allies in this industry and I am convinced that there are men out there who are excellent at their work.

What I am trying to say is that people are so used to seeing men in technical positions, behind the scenes, or as leaders and production experts front of the scenes, that men automatically get selected.

It has become so normalized to see men in certain positions that even imagining a woman in those technical-heavy positions seems unthinkable to some.

As a result, women’s capabilities are easily overlooked, whereas a man who is less capable is selected just because he is a man.

And this could be a reason why it is taking decades to increase the number of women in AV and event productions.

The sad reality is, with a lack of female representation in these male-dominated industries, many women flee to other sectors and are forced to give up on their passion and dreams.

I’ve experienced it personally and I’ve heard it again and again. There are several challenges and reasons why women don’t flourish or completely vanish from the events production industry:

they are being overlooked or ignored to the point where they feel invisible and like they don’t belong,
they are required to constantly prove themselves and their abilities, constantly demonstrate their skills, and their physical abilities, and show that they know what they’re doing over and over again,
women at some point become mothers and the event production world is heavily hands-on, there are very few concessions made in relation to parental leave,
they are being patronized, many times not being heard or taken seriously because they can’t possibly be as technical as men are,
they must tolerate the comments and doubts of men about their skills. Yes, they had already proved her skills many times before but they need to do it once again.
they are not given the full range of responsibilities intrinsic to their role, which hinders their professional development, and therefore paid much less than their male counterparts,
they must have a good sense of humor, be willing to put up with inappropriate comments, innuendos and prove they are a team player and would not take men’s comments as sexual harassment.

Turning the spotlight on the stage now, in front of the scenes now, another important reason why female representation behind the scenes is so important is provided by Angela Taylor, President & Chief Executive Officer at NetWorks, NFL – Networks Sports Consulting, speaker, Podcast Host and DEI advocate and leader, an important point brought up during her Connect PNW “Audacious Leadership” presentation.

In her own words:

“As a woman who’s presenting on stages around the country, it’s so nice to have a woman put on my microphone. It doesn’t happen that often”.

https://vimeo.com/793675876

The representation of women in event tech and event AV production cannot be overstated and is crucial to create an inclusive and diverse industry.

It’s not about discrediting men’s abilities but about creating an environment where women feel included, valued, and respected.

It’s not just about having a diverse team, it’s about creating an environment where women have equal opportunities and fair chances.

It’s about providing visibility ensuring that their work is valued in the same way as the work of men.

By breaking down these barriers, we can create a more equal and just society, where women can hold leading positions of power, their work is valued, and their presence matters.

This is why representation matters so much.

When people see individuals from diverse backgrounds and identities succeeding in the industry, it can inspire them to pursue careers in AV production as well. Representation can also help break down stereotypes and biases, leading to a more inclusive industry overall.

It’s not just about the moral imperative of creating a more diverse and equitable industry, either.

It’s also good for business. Companies that prioritize diversity and inclusion have been shown to have better financial performance, as well as greater innovation and creativity.

When we prioritize representation, we create a more inclusive environment that benefits everyone. By bringing diverse perspectives and experiences to the table, we can make better decisions and produce better results. And by ensuring equity, we create a level playing field where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Things have gotten better in the last few years, and thank goodness, not every woman goes through the same challenges. After all, not every woman is a feminist and wants to engage with women’s related issues. Just because someone is a woman does not mean that she is an advocate for all women. As said earlier, not all women believe in the same things. However, we have a long way to go to create the proper environment for women in event productions. If only one woman faces any of these situations in our industry, we still have work to do. Let’s work together to make this happen.

Reference: For a comprehensive conversation, check out this blog post providing the framework or why female representation matters in male-dominated niches such as architecture, art, medical science, etc.