Who should enter? / Who should you nominate?

Anyone, in any role or at any career stage, and of any gender, who has demonstrated meaningful commitment to advocacy, allyship and creating a more inclusive AV industry.

What the judges are looking for in an entry:

• Champion greater diversity and inclusion, through meaningful action rather than words alone.
• Support, mentor and advocate for people from underrepresented groups, helping others develop and progress.
• Challenge barriers, bias or outdated practices and take action to create positive change.
• Open doors and create opportunities, using their influence to help others succeed.
• Demonstrate measurable or meaningful impact, showing how their actions have made a difference to individuals, teams or the wider industry.

Who should enter? / Who should you nominate?

Founders, owners, CEOs, and Managing Directors of AV and events businesses who are driving growth, innovation and positive change within their organisation and the wider industry.

What the judges are looking for in an entry:

• Build or grow a successful business, demonstrating clear commercial and organisational impact.
• Set a strong vision and business strategy and turn it into meaningful results.
• Create jobs, opportunities and pathways for others within the industry.
• Drive growth and expansion, whether through new markets, customers, services or partnerships.
• Build a sustainable, innovative and people-focused organisation with a strong culture and values.
• Demonstrate leadership beyond the business, through industry contribution, advocacy, mentorship or positive change.

Who should enter? / Who should you nominate?

AV manufacturers, integrators, distributors, event, production and/or rental companies, agencies, consultants, end-user organisations and any organisation employing or working with AV professionals.

What the judges are looking for in an entry:

The winning organisation will demonstrate a clear and meaningful commitment to attracting, supporting, developing and retaining women in the workplace. Judges will be looking for evidence of genuine investment, tangible action and measurable impact, demonstrating not only what has been implemented, but how it has made a difference to women’s experiences, opportunities and progression.

Entries should demonstrate some or all of the following:

• Measurable progress in representation – evidence of increased female representation, particularly in technical, senior or leadership roles.
• Investment in development and progression – initiatives that give women the skills, confidence and opportunities to advance their careers.
• Mentoring and sponsorship – structured programmes that support women’s development, visibility and career progression. Flexible and inclusive working practices – changes that improve workplace culture, flexibility, wellbeing and inclusion.
• Pathways into leadership – clear opportunities and support for women to progress into management and senior leadership positions.
• Improved retention and progression – evidence that investment is helping women stay, develop and progress within the organisation.
• A culture of equality and respect – meaningful action to address sexism, discrimination and barriers to progression, alongside a commitment to equal pay and giving women a voice.
  

Who should enter? / Who should you nominate?

Designers, creatives, producers, experience designers, content specialists, technologists and anyone whose work demonstrates exceptional creativity, originality and imagination across AV and live experiences.

What are the judges looking for?

• Develop an original and innovative creative concept that stands out.
• Create memorable experiences that engage, inspire or connect with audiences.
• Combine creativity and technology in new ways, pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
• Challenge conventional approaches and bring fresh thinking to a project or brief.
• Use design, content, storytelling or technology to deliver something exceptional, with clear evidence of the creative impact.

Who should enter? / Who should you nominate?

Students, apprentices or graduates in the early stages of their AV career, across any job function or discipline.

What are the judges looking for?

• Bring a fresh perspective or new ideas to a project, team or organisation.
• Demonstrate learning and development, whether through new skills, knowledge or experience.
• Take initiative and embrace responsibility, going beyond what might typically be expected at this stage.
• Make a meaningful impact early in their career, demonstrating enthusiasm, potential and a commitment to the AV industry.

Who should enter? / Who should you nominate?

Freelancers, consultants, contractors and independent professionals working across any AV role, discipline or specialism.

What are the judges looking for?

• Build a successful independent career, demonstrating growth, resilience and a strong professional reputation.
• Bring specialist expertise and insight that delivers real value to clients.
• Solve complex challenges, using knowledge, creativity and experience to deliver effective solutions.
• Build strong, long-term client relationships, based on trust, reliability and exceptional service.
• Make a meaningful contribution across multiple organisations or projects, demonstrating the breadth and impact of their work.
• Demonstrate excellence as an independent professional, including the ability to manage their business, deliver consistently and adapt to different clients and environments.

Who should enter? / Who should you nominate?

Senior leaders, directors, department heads, technical leaders, operations leaders and senior managers across the AV industry. This category recognises leadership rather than business ownership — celebrating those who lead people, teams and functions and make a meaningful difference through their leadership.

What are the judges looking for? 

• Lead a team, department or significant function, delivering clear results and impact.
• Develop, mentor and empower others, helping people grow and reach their potential.
• Create opportunities for progression, building pathways for people to develop their careers.
• Drive positive change within their organisation or the wider industry.
• Build a strong, inclusive and high-performing team culture where people can thrive.
• Lead with resilience and purpose through challenging circumstances, demonstrating the ability to bring people together and move things forward.

Who should enter? / Who should you nominate?

Marketing, communications, PR, content, digital, social media, brand and events marketing professionals at all career stages. Working in-house, freelance or as an agency — from hands-on specialists and practitioners to senior marketing leaders, strategists and those responsible for go-to-market strategy and business growth.

What are the judges looking for?

• Deliver an exceptional campaign or marketing initiative.
• Develop a clear marketing or go-to-market strategy that supports business objectives and growth.
• Build, strengthen or reposition a brand.
• Create compelling content and communications that engage and influence audiences. Grow awareness, engagement or market reach.
• Develop and execute strategies that successfully take products, services or propositions to market.
• Demonstrate measurable marketing and/or commercial impact.
• Show strategic leadership, innovation and the ability to bring people and teams together around a clear vision.

Who should enter? / Who should you nominate?

Project and programme managers, procurement and operations teams, event and service professionals, customer support teams, coordinators, logistics professionals and anyone responsible for turning plans into successful delivery. This category is open to both hands-on practitioners and senior professionals leading teams, suppliers, projects or operational functions.

What are the judges looking for?

• Lead complex projects, programmes or events from planning through to successful delivery.
• Coordinate people, suppliers, logistics and resources effectively to achieve outstanding results.
• Improve processes, systems or ways of working to make delivery more efficient and effective.
• Deliver exceptional customer or service experiences, demonstrating a clear understanding of customer needs.
• Solve problems and make effective decisions under pressure, particularly when faced with unexpected challenges.
• Demonstrate leadership and collaboration, bringing teams and stakeholders together to deliver shared objectives.
• Show measurable impact, whether through improved efficiency, customer satisfaction, cost savings, revenue, quality or successful outcomes.

Who should enter? / Who should you nominate?

Anyone within their first four years of an AV career, across any role, job function or discipline. Whether they are working in technical, creative, commercial, operational, production or support roles, this category celebrates people who are already making their mark.

What are the judges looking for?

• Achieve something notable early in their career, demonstrating ambition, initiative and impact.
• Take on responsibility beyond what might typically be expected at their career stage.
• Demonstrate exceptional growth and progression, whether through skills, confidence, responsibility or career development.
• Make a meaningful contribution to their organisation, their team, customers or the wider AV industry.
• Show initiative and a willingness to learn, take on challenges and embrace new opportunities.
• Demonstrate the potential to make a lasting impact on the industry as their career develops.
  

Who should enter? / Who should you nominate?

Sales executives, account managers, business development professionals, internal sales teams, channel and partner managers, service and after-sales professionals, and anyone working in a commercial role focused on growing the business and delivering value for customers.

What are the judges looking for?

• Deliver outstanding commercial results, with clear evidence of achievement and impact.
• Win new business and develop existing accounts, creating sustainable revenue and growth.
• Build strong, long-term customer relationships based on trust, understanding and value. Identify and respond to customer needs, developing solutions that address real challenges and opportunities.
• Open up new markets, channels or opportunities, demonstrating commercial initiative and strategic thinking. Work collaboratively across teams, bringing together sales, technical, service and other functions to deliver for customers.
• Go beyond simply hitting a sales target, demonstrating the wider value they have created for customers, colleagues and the business.
  
  

Who should enter? / Who should you nominate?

Product developers, engineers, manufacturers, software and technology teams, product managers, innovators and anyone involved in developing, designing or bringing an AV product, technology or solution to market. This category is open to both technical specialists and senior professionals leading product strategy, innovation or development.

What are the judges looking for?

• Develop an innovative AV product, technology or solution that addresses a clear need or opportunity.
• Improve or transform an existing product or solution, demonstrating meaningful innovation or advancement.
• Solve a significant customer or industry challenge through technology, design or a new approach.
• Create a new platform, process or approach that changes how AV is delivered, experienced or managed.
• Demonstrate strong product strategy, from identifying the opportunity through to development, launch and adoption.
• Make AV more accessible, efficient, sustainable or effective, with clear evidence of the difference it has made.
• Demonstrate measurable impact, whether through customer adoption, commercial success, efficiency, performance or wider industry impact.

Who should enter? / Who should you nominate?

Engineers, technicians, programmers, designers, integrators, technical directors, service engineers, support specialists and other technical professionals working across AV, integration, sound, lighting, production and related disciplines.

What are the judges looking for?

• Solve complex technical challenges, demonstrating expertise, creativity and resourcefulness.
• Demonstrate exceptional technical knowledge and skill, whether through design, engineering, programming, integration, installation or delivery.
• Deliver outstanding technical work, maintaining high standards of quality, reliability and performance.
• Provide exceptional technical support or service, going above and beyond to solve problems and support customers or colleagues.
• Develop innovative technical solutions that improve performance, efficiency, accessibility or the customer experience.
• Demonstrate impact beyond the technical task, showing how their expertise has contributed to a successful project, customer outcome, organisation or the wider industry.
  

Who should enter? / Who should you nominate?

Anyone can enter or nominate a woman for this award — colleagues, peers, employers, customers, industry partners, mentees or anyone who believes she deserves recognition. There are no restrictions on role, seniority or discipline.

What are we looking for?

• Exceptional impact on people, organisations or the industry.
• Leadership and influence, whether through a formal role or by inspiring others.
• Outstanding contribution beyond the expectations of her role.
• Championing others, through mentoring, advocacy, opportunity or support.
• Positive change, innovation or action that has made a meaningful difference.
• A compelling story that demonstrates why this woman has stood out in 2026.