It’s International Women’s Day and here we are, still standing at a pivotal crossroads. In the world of event productions, the statistics are eye-opening: while a whopping 77% of meeting and event planners are women, the figures starkly drop to a mere 13% when we shift our gaze to audiovisual technicians. This glaring disparity not only highlights the gender imbalance within our industry but also underscores the broader societal challenges of workplace equality. According to insights from the McKinsey Report, a troubling trend emerges: men ascend the career ladder based on potential, whereas women must demonstrate proven performance to earn their stripes. This systemic bias thins the ranks of women in leadership as we ascend the corporate ladder, culminating in a mere 53 women steering the Fortune 500 companies—only about 11%, despite women constituting 53% of the workforce entering the fray.

This International Women’s Day, I call upon those wielding hiring power, those at the decision-making tables, to take a moment and observe the composition of your teams and leadership. If women are underrepresented, particularly at senior levels, it’s a clarion call for action, not just contemplation.

The recent event in honor of International Women’s Day, which I had the privilege of co-hosting alongside Cindi Cohn, stands as a testament to the power of dialogue and the impact of shared experiences. I extend my deepest gratitude to our esteemed panelists: Tomika Snodgrass, CTACC Janice Cardinale VEMM, Shannon Baylor-Henderson, Sally Arkell-Boles, Evelyne Del, and Tori Whaley, aPHR, whose narratives of struggle, resilience, and triumph infused our discussion with depth, warmth, and inspiration.

The overwhelming participation of 390 attendees, complemented by an engaging exchange of over 425 comments, transformed our session into a vibrant tapestry of collective wisdom and shared strength. The enthusiasm and active participation underscored a communal hunger for meaningful conversations about empowerment, leadership, and the unique challenges women face in the workforce.

For those who couldn’t join us live or are eager to revisit the enriching dialogue, I’m thrilled to share that the session is available for replay on our YouTube channel embedded below.

 

 

 

 

 

This is an invitation to immerse yourself in a conversation that I believe is not only timely but timeless in its relevance and resonance. Yet, the essence of International Women’s Day extends far beyond a single day of recognition. It’s a call for ongoing action, for building bridges of support and mentorship that uplifts and empowers women every single day. It’s about dismantling barriers, challenging stereotypes, and rewriting the narratives around women’s roles in technology, leadership, and society at large.

In the spirit of continuous support and advocacy, I urge each one of us to not only celebrate the phenomenal women in our lives but also to actively contribute to creating a world where women’s achievements, leadership, and contributions are recognized, celebrated, and elevated every day.

Together, we can move towards a future where gender parity is not an aspiration but a reality, where every woman has the opportunity to unleash her potential and thrive.

Thank you once again to everyone who played a part in making our International Women’s Day event a space of hope, inspiration, and empowerment. Here’s to more conversations, more breakthroughs, and a steadfast commitment to championing the cause of women, today and always.

 

Discover the #FIT4EVENTS framework, built on four foundational pillars:

F = Futuristic AV Production

I = Innovative AI Technology

T = Thriving Audiences

E = Empowered Teams Behind the Scenes

At the heart of these pillars lie our guiding principles: immersive experiences, deep empathy, active engagement, and a continuous evolving mindset.

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