Rise AV launches awards celebrating the women, advocates and organisations driving change in AV

Categories now open for entries, with the inaugural awards taking place in May 2027

London, UK - 28 September 2026 – Rise AV has announced the launch of the inaugural Rise AV Awards, a new global awards programme celebrating the women, advocates and organisations across the AV industry, making success visible, creating role models and inspiring the next generation.

The inaugural awards will take place in May 2027 and will recognise 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, recognising everyone from students, apprentices and rising stars to technical specialists, business leaders, freelancers, creatives and organisations investing in and supporting women.

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

The awards will be streamed live, giving the global AV community the opportunity to join the celebration wherever they are based.

With women representing just 9% of the AV workforce, the awards 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), said: “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 inaugural awards will recognise:

• Early Careers Award – Outstanding student, apprentice, graduate or early-career professional.
• Rising Star Award – Emerging professional demonstrating exceptional potential within four years.
• Technical Excellence Award – Outstanding technical achievement across AV, integration, sound, lighting or production.
• Creative Visionary Award – Exceptional creativity in design, experiences or technology.
• Operational Excellence Award – Outstanding operational excellence behind successful delivery.
• Product Innovation Award – Innovation in AV products, platforms or technologies.
• Business Leader of the Year – Female senior leaders, directors, department heads, technical leaders, operations leaders and senior managers. This category is about leadership - not business ownership.
• Independent Professional of the Year – Exceptional freelancer or consultant.
• Sales Professional of the Year – Outstanding commercial achievement and customer impact.
• Marketing & Communications Professional of the Year – Excellence in marketing, communications or brand.
• Leadership in AV Award – Female founders, owners, CEOs and Managing Directors of AV businesses.
• Advocate Award – Individuals of any gender advancing inclusion and opportunity.
• Company Award for Investment in Women – Organisation demonstrating measurable commitment to attracting, developing and retaining women.
• Rise AV Woman of the Year – Judges’ Award recognising an extraordinary woman whose contribution has had a lasting impact on the industry.

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

Most award categories will carry a nominal entry fee of £50 + 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, 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 Thursday 4 February 2027 at 1pm on the CEDIA Stage in Hall 2, providing an opportunity for the global AV community to come together to recognise the achievements of those shortlisted.

Key dates:

• Entries open: Now
• Entries close: 27 November 2026
• Judging: January 2027
• Shortlist announced: Thursday 4 February 2027, 1pm – ISE, CEDIA Stage, Hall 2
• Rise AV Awards: May 2027 in line with the Peerless Technology Showcase.

Organisations can also put their brand behind the people shaping the future of AV through Rise AV Awards partnerships, with packages ranging from £1,500 + VAT to £10,000 + VAT and visibility across the campaign before, during and after the awards.

Awards Supporter– £1,500 + VAT
Category Partner – £3,500 + VAT
Headline Partner – £10,000 + VAT

Additional event activation opportunities are also available.

Rachael Hamilton, Managing Director of Rise AV, said: “Sponsoring the Rise AV Awards is more than just putting your logo on a screen. It’s about putting your brand behind the people and achievements you want to see more of. It’s about celebrating achievement, creating visibility and showing your employees, customers and future talent that you’re invested in the people shaping AV.”

If you are interested in sponsoring the Rise AV Awards, contact rachael@rise-av.com

To enter - https://rise-av.com/awards