Rise AV Launches Initiative at ISE 2026 to Enhance Women's Safety in the AV Industry – Monday, February 2, 2026

Rise AV is leading a new initiative at ISE 2026 aimed at improving women's safety and wellbeing within the AV industry. This effort seeks to cultivate a more inclusive and supportive environment, highlighting the critical need to address gender-related challenges in a traditionally male-dominated sector.

Who should care: DOOH network operators, digital signage program managers, ad-tech platform leaders, display technology decision-makers, and out-of-home advertising teams.

What happened?

Rise AV unveiled a new initiative at the Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2026 event, focusing on advancing women's safety and wellbeing throughout the AV industry. This move is part of a broader commitment to fostering a more inclusive and supportive workplace for women in a field historically dominated by men. While specific programs and activities have yet to be detailed, the initiative signals a clear shift in industry priorities toward addressing gender-related issues more proactively. ISE, recognized as one of the largest global exhibitions for AV and systems integration, offers a high-profile platform for Rise AV to bring these concerns to the forefront. By spotlighting these challenges at such a significant event, Rise AV is positioning itself as a leader in promoting gender equality and inclusivity within the AV sector. This initiative not only raises awareness but also sets the stage for potential industry-wide changes in culture and policy, encouraging other organizations to follow suit in creating safer, more equitable workplaces.

Why now?

The launch of this initiative coincides with a broader industry-wide push toward diversity and inclusion that has gained momentum over the past 18 months. Increased awareness and advocacy around gender equality have permeated multiple sectors, including AV, underscoring the importance of safe and supportive work environments. By introducing this initiative at ISE 2026, Rise AV is strategically leveraging a prominent industry event to amplify the conversation around these critical issues. This timing reflects an acute recognition that fostering an equitable industry landscape requires ongoing dialogue, commitment, and concrete action—especially as the AV sector continues to evolve and expand.

So what?

Rise AV’s initiative at ISE 2026 could serve as a catalyst for meaningful change across the AV industry by establishing new benchmarks for workplace safety and inclusivity. Prioritizing these issues not only enhances corporate reputation but also helps attract and retain a more diverse workforce, which can drive innovation and improve overall productivity. Furthermore, this initiative acts as a call to action for other industry stakeholders to critically assess and enhance their own gender equality and employee wellbeing practices. Embracing such efforts can lead to stronger organizational cultures and better business outcomes, positioning companies to thrive in an increasingly competitive and socially conscious market.

What this means for you:

• For DOOH network operators: Explore adopting similar safety and inclusivity measures to strengthen workplace culture and employee engagement.
• For digital signage program managers: Review existing practices and consider implementing training programs that emphasize gender inclusivity and awareness.
• For ad-tech platform leaders: Use this initiative as a framework to build more diverse, inclusive teams that foster innovation and sustainable growth.

Quick Hits

• Impact / Risk: This initiative could establish new industry standards for inclusivity; failure to adopt comparable measures may lead to reputational risks.
• Operational Implication: Organizations may need to dedicate resources toward developing and executing gender inclusivity programs.
• Action This Week: Conduct a review of current inclusivity policies, assess workplace safety related to gender issues, and prepare a leadership briefing on potential initiatives.