Breaking Barriers: #InspireInclusion in AV/IT Industries for International Women's Day

by Brandy Alvarado-Miranda

Gloria Steinem once eloquently stated, "The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights." As we celebrate International Women's Day 2024, we embark on a journey to #InspireInclusion in the audio-visual (AV) and information technology (IT) industries. This campaign aims to create a more diverse, equitable, and supportive environment for women, recognizing their invaluable contributions to these fields.

Imposter Syndrome or Systemic Barriers?

from Commercial Integrator Jan/Feb 2024 Issue

Introducing Wave-Makers, our member spotlight. Each month we ask some of our inspiring members to answer a few questions about themselves.  We are starting with our membership committee co-chairs Cheryl Walton and Carrie McKenzie-Bush, as we kick off our 2nd year of WAVIT. Here is a little more about the two of them, feel free to reach out if you need questions answered about membership or getting someone recruited. They are also at many industry events this year across the country , so if you see them, please say hi, they'd love to connect with you. 

Anaheim, CA – February 8, 2024 – Women in AV/IT (WAVIT), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and empowering women in the AV and IT industries, NSCA, and the AVIXA Women’s Council are thrilled to invite you to their International Women's Day event, "The Future is WE: Women & Equity," where the AV/IT community can come together to empower, connect, and forge a path towards women's equality. This event, organized by WAVIT, NSCA, and the AVIXA Women’s Council, aims to raise awareness and create an industry that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

The 6-month long music industry internship aims to nurture the intern’s professional growth with mentorship from seasoned industry professionals and exposure to real-world projects led by an award-winning team. Thompson will receive valuable experience working closely with the AM&S marketing team, various JAM departments, and key customer accounts. Responsibilities will include conducting market research, developing social media content strategies, analyzing social media, and marketing performance, and assisting with the coordination of commercial events and trade shows.

Anaheim, CA – November 13, 2023 – Women in AV/IT (WAVIT), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and empowering women in the AV, IT, and digital signage industries, proudly present a thought-provoking luncheon titled "Empowering Women in Digital Signage: Best Career Advice I’ve Ever Received." This inspiring event is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, December 5th, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at the Keynote Stage during the Digital Signage Experience (DSE). The DSE explores every aspect of digital and interactive display technology, from concept and design to content and analytics. DSE is a tradeshow that offers a truly immersive experience for the fast-changing digital and interactive display industry.

The luncheon aims to create a platform for women in the dynamic digital signage industry to connect, learn, and be inspired. The panel discussion, "Best Career Advice I’ve Ever Received," will feature accomplished women leaders and experts sharing their “recipes for success” and the guidance that propelled them to success. Attendees will be treated to a lunch buffet and can interact, ask questions, and seek advice to foster a supportive community within the digital signage industry. 

Overcoming Gender Bias in AV Design

from Commercial Integrator Magazine - Making Waves Nov/Dec 2023

“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.”

Bridging the 131-Year Gender Gap: Uniting for Equality and Action

By Brandy Alvarado-Miranda, CEO of BAM! Marketing & PR Agency and Founder of #WAVIT

Anaheim, CA – October 31, 2023 – Women in AV/IT (WAVIT), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and empowering women in the AV and IT industries, has added digital signage veteran Carrie Garcia to its board of directors. 

WAVIT Program to promote diversity and inclusion and create career pathways in the AV/IT Industry

Anaheim, CA – October 17, 2023 – Women in AV/IT (WAVIT), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and empowering women in the AV and IT industries, and American Music and Sound (AM&S), a leading distributor of consumer electronic goods, pro-audio equipment, and musical instruments, is proud to announce their Music Industry Internship Program.

Commercial Integrator Making Waves Article: What’s your Self-Worth?

By Susan Wilhite

Anaheim, CA – August 16, 2023 – Women in AV/IT (WAVIT) members, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and empowering women in the AV and IT industries, has partnered with Commercial Integrator Expo (CIX) to provide its members with a complimentary full conference registration for the CIX program and exhibit hall access (a $549 value). 

From Commercial Integrator Making Waves- August 2023

What AV Can Learn From Live Events

What happens when the female-dominated meeting and event-planning space collides with the male-dominated AV industry? 

by Amada Eberle

As someone who has focused their career within the technology space, it is known and unfortunately expected that there is a lack a female representation. It is something that those of us that work in pro-av industry are working to change. I work and am a leader within the live events segment of the industry, while system integrators work on fix installations, myself and my team get to work in the temporary. We work in the short term, we utilize pro-av event technology to build an event, execute the vision and then tear it down to do it all over again. We thrive off the thrill of the rush to get everything built within a short amount of time, ride the high of executing the vision of our clients and find solace at then end of the event when we pack it all up. To be able to do what we love we work with our meeting and event planners clients and partners. 

From Digital Signage Today Magazine - 

From the March 2023 Commercial Integrator article: Riding the Wave of Equality

Commercial Integrator Making Waves: Why Representation Matters 

Commercial Integrator Making Waves: Why the AV Industry MUST Close the Leadership Gender Gap

From May 2023 Making Waves Article/Commercial Integrator: Lessons Learned from NSCA's BLC 2023

Anaheim, CA – April 10, 2023 – Women in AV/IT (WAVIT), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and empowering women in the AV and IT industries, will sponsor and present a Star Wars-inspired discussion panel at the cavlo trade show on May 4th, a.k.a Star Wars Day. The DEI session, called “May the Force of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Be with You: Lessons from Star Wars”, will feature WAVIT Board members and founders Gina Sansivero, Susan Wilhite, and Brandy Alvarado-Miranda.

Anaheim, CA – March 14, 2023 – Women in AV/IT (WAVIT), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and empowering women in the AV and IT industries, and #GALSNGEAR, a movement to bring parity to women in media and entertainment, have entered into a non-financial partnership to help promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the ProAV, IT, and Broadcast industries. The two organizations will work together on developing DEI content and events, STEM recruitment efforts, and more.