Rise AV Launches Awards Celebrating the Women, Advocates, and Organizations Driving Change in AV

Rise AV is launching the Rise AV Awards, a new global program celebrating the women, advocates, and organizations across the AV industry.

The inaugural awards will take place in May 2027 and will recognize achievement across the breadth of AV, from technical and creative roles to leadership, business, sales, marketing, operations and innovation. Entries are now open across 14 categories, recognizing everyone from students, apprentices and rising stars to technical specialists, business leaders, freelancers, creatives and organizations investing in and supporting women.

Categories can be found here: rise-av.com/awards.

The awards will be streamed live.

With women representing just 9% of the AV workforce, the awards will highlight the breadth of careers, creativity, innovation, technology and leadership within AV, helping attract and retain the talent that will shape its future.

Sadie Groom, founder and CEO of Rise Diversity (AV and Broadcast), says: "Visibility matters. If we want more women and more diverse talent to see AV as an industry where they can build a career, they need to see people like themselves succeeding. These awards are about celebrating those achievements, creating role models and making sure the incredible people already shaping our industry are seen."

The awards are open to individuals and organizations across the global AV, integration, production, and live events ecosystem.

Most award categories will carry a nominal entry fee of GBP 50 plus VAT per category submission for non-Rise sponsors. Rise AV category sponsors will receive two complimentary award entries as part of their sponsorship package.

The judging process will be fair, transparent, and independent, the company says, with an experienced and diverse panel assessing entries against clear criteria. Conflicts of interest will be managed throughout, ensuring every entry is judged on its own merits.

The shortlist will be announced live at ISE on February 4 at 1pm on the CEDIA Stage in Hall 2, providing an opportunity for the global AV community to come together to recognize the achievements of those shortlisted.

Entries close on November 27. To enter, go to rise-av.com/awards.