An exclusively female technology team from Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre produced the Chief Executive Women (CEW) Leadership Summit, which was held at the venue last month.

According to the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association, women make up only 6% of the global audio visual (AV) industry. The underrepresentation of women in the AV industry highlights the significance of an all-female tech team leading such a prominent event at MCEC. The CEW Leadership Summit not only showcased women leadership but also served as a platform to inspire and empower women at every decision-making table.

Along with the tech team, a team made up primarily of women supported every aspect of the event from planning to catering and security.

MCEC’s Event Delivery Manager, Alex Proud said “for the spirit of the event and the people attending, it was great to have other women involved in the production of the event”.  

“It was quite a tech heavy event and having an all-female tech crew is unheard of,” she said.

The event was held in MCEC’s Goldfields Theatre, which was set up with two stages and TV cameras broadcasting to those tuning in online. A bespoke lighting design was created to enhance the atmosphere and highlight key moments on stage.

“It was very important for the client to have a team of women work on the event and there was a lot of planning to make it all come together. Everyone worked really hard to pull it off and it looked stunning,” Alex added.

Bridget Hart, Founder and Director of Capital B Creative, who provided event support for the CEW Leadership Summit said she was proud to be working with a team of women to support the important event.

“I’ve been an event producer for 35 years and to see a crew made up entirely of women is so exciting. To have a crew of women for an event that’s supporting the empowerment of women and gender equality is just super exciting,” she said.

Bridget also has a background in the AV field and is passionate about supporting women in the industry.

“I’m part of the Women in AV Australia group. I’ve been a producer since before we had digital projectors, and you’re often the only woman on a crew. It’s wonderful to see more and more women behind the desk creating content, being responsible for all of the amazing production that we pull together,” she said.

MCEC is committed to gender equity and equality, and has an 80% female Executive team, led by Chief Executive Natalie O’Brien AM. Launched in 2022, our Gender Equality Action Plan prioritises three areas including improving workforce representation and segmentation, providing an inclusive and safe workplace culture and capability, and creating accessible workplace experience, policies and practices.

photo by Nico Keenan for EventPix