Turning Conversation Into Action: Inside the Women in Exhibitions UK Leaders Dinner

The third Women in Exhibitions UK Leaders Dinner brought together some of the industry’s leading voices for an evening focused on one important objective: turning conversation into meaningful action for the progression of women across the events industry.

Hosted by the Women in Exhibitions UK Chapter, the dinner created a space for open, honest and practical discussion, drawing directly from the experiences of those in the room. Rather than speaking in broad generalisations, attendees explored the real-world challenges, opportunities and solutions shaping women’s careers today.

The evening centred around four key themes:

• Progression Barriers
Exploring where women often fall off the promotion pathway and sharing examples of career break comebacks, leadership support and the decisions that helped women continue progressing into senior roles.

• Ways of Working
Discussing how flexibility, role design and modern working structures can better support women in an industry that rarely operates within traditional 9-5 boundaries.

• Visibility & Access
Highlighting the importance of sponsorship, commercial exposure and active championing, with many agreeing that senior opportunities often come down to visibility and access to the right conversations.

• Transparency & Standards
Opening up candid discussions around what “good” really looks like across pay, progression, parental support and workplace culture, and how the wider industry can learn from organisations already driving meaningful change.

What emerged throughout the evening was a strong sense of shared responsibility and a willingness from leaders across the industry to move beyond discussion and towards action.

As Caroline Gourlay, President of Women in Exhibitions UK Chapter, reflected after the event:

“What stood out most was the collective willingness in the room to share openly, challenge existing thinking and commit to doing better. These conversations matter because real progress doesn’t happen through intention alone, it happens when leaders come together, exchange honest experiences and actively create opportunities for change.”

The evening reinforced the value of creating spaces where industry leaders can challenge norms, exchange ideas and collaborate on practical solutions that will help shape a more inclusive and supportive future for women in exhibitions.

The Women in Exhibitions UK Chapter also extended thanks to headline sponsors See Tickets UK and LiveBuzz, alongside event sponsor Full Circle Events & Exhibitions, for supporting the initiative and helping make another impactful evening possible.

If these conversations resonate with you and you would like to stay connected with future discussions, insights and initiatives from Women in Exhibitions UK, sign up to the newsletter or, if you are not yet a member, get in touch with Zoe at info@womeninexhibitions.co.uk