Rise AV unveils 2026 Elevate Cohort for Next Generation of AV Leadership

Rise AV has confirmed the 23 women who will take part in its 2026 Elevate programme, outlining the next cohort for the initiative aimed at developing future leaders in the audiovisual sector. The group represents 20 different organisations spanning the UK, Ireland, Germany and France.

Elevate, now entering its second year, is structured as a six-week course focused on management and leadership skills for women working in AV and related event technology roles. The programme is designed to help participants build the practical capabilities needed to lead teams and manage people within their organisations.

Programme Structure and Leadership Objective

The Elevate programme runs over six weeks and centres on practical leadership development rather than purely theoretical training. It is positioned to give participants a toolkit of day-to-day management skills they can apply directly in their roles within AV businesses and event-focused operations.

Core elements of the curriculum are aimed at strengthening confidence in leading teams, handling people-management responsibilities and navigating the organisational dynamics that come with more senior roles. By concentrating on real-world scenarios, Elevate is intended to support participants as they step into or progress within leadership positions.

European Cohort and Organisational Diversity

The 2026 cohort brings together women from a broad mix of companies across four European markets. Participants are drawn from 20 organisations operating within the audiovisual and wider event technology ecosystem in the UK, Ireland, Germany and France.

This cross-border mix is intended to reflect the international nature of today’s AV and live events supply chain, where teams often collaborate across multiple countries. The diversity of organisations involved also introduces a range of operational perspectives, from technical production and integration through to venues and event delivery.

Focus on Team and People Management Skill

Rise AV has framed Elevate as a management and leadership development pathway specifically tailored to women in AV. Rather than concentrating solely on technical expertise, the programme highlights core people-management abilities that are increasingly required as professionals move into supervisory or departmental roles.

Key skills targeted through the training include leading teams in high-pressure live event environments, coordinating across departments and managing direct reports. The programme also addresses aspects of communication and decision-making that affect how AV leaders work with colleagues, clients and stakeholders.

Support for Women in Audiovisual Sector

By focusing Elevate on women, Rise AV is seeking to create an additional layer of structured support within an industry that has historically skewed towards male representation in senior technical and leadership roles. The programme offers participants a dedicated environment in which to focus on their development while learning alongside peers who face similar professional dynamics.

The initiative also highlights a continued emphasis on building more inclusive leadership pipelines in AV businesses, rental and staging providers, technical production companies and other organisations that support live events and business meetings with audiovisual services.

Growth of Elevate in Second Year

With Elevate now in its second year, the announcement of the 2026 cohort marks a continued investment by Rise AV in structured leadership training. The expansion to 23 participants from 20 organisations demonstrates an ongoing demand for development opportunities that go beyond technical upskilling.

The sustained delivery of a six-week format suggests that Rise AV sees value in a concentrated programme that can fit around busy project schedules common in AV and event production. The recurring structure provides a repeatable framework that can be refined and adapted over time as industry needs evolve.

Relevance for Event Technology and Live Event Operations

Elevate sits at the intersection of audiovisual technology and live event production, focusing on the human and organisational side of delivering complex technical projects. As AV teams support conferences, exhibitions, corporate meetings and live experiences, leadership capability can have a direct impact on operational reliability and client satisfaction.

By preparing more women to take on management responsibilities, the programme contributes to a broader pool of leaders capable of overseeing planning, on-site execution and post-event evaluation. This can be particularly significant in environments where AV delivery is closely tied to overall event outcomes.

Regional Collaboration and Professional Network

Bringing together participants from the UK, Ireland, Germany and France creates an opportunity for cross-border networking within the Elevate cohort. Attendees are able to compare operational models, client expectations and working practices from different markets while still sharing a common focus on AV and live events.

This mix can help participants build contacts beyond their immediate local or national ecosystems, which may be particularly valuable for organisations delivering multinational events or supporting international clients. The shared learning environment also enables discussion of challenges and solutions that cut across language and regional boundaries.

Emphasis on Practical Application

The programme’s emphasis on practical skills suggests that coursework and sessions are geared towards scenarios that AV leaders encounter regularly, such as managing crews on tight timelines, coordinating load-ins and changeovers, or aligning technical teams with event planners and venue staff.

By concentrating on how to apply leadership principles in these contexts, Elevate aims to help participants translate theory into day-to-day practice. This approach aligns with the operational realities of AV work, where managers must combine technical awareness with strong interpersonal and organisational capabilities.

Ongoing Development of AV Leadership Talent

The confirmation of the 2026 Elevate cohort underscores a continued focus within Rise AV on structured leadership development for women in the industry. As participants progress through the six-week programme, they are expected to gain tools and perspectives that can support long-term career growth.

While the initiative is targeted at individual professionals, it also has implications for the organisations involved, which may benefit from enhanced team leadership and more resilient management structures in their AV and event technology operations.