At RCP London Events, we’re continually reflecting on how we can create environments where every individual has the opportunity to grow and excel. Celebrating the achievements and contributions of people across our industry inspires us to keep strengthening our commitment to inclusive, supportive spaces where talent can truly thrive.
Within the events industry, many roles still remain traditionally male-dominated, particularly in technical disciplines such as AV production. Today, we’re proud to spotlight Mariela Petkova, one of our Senior AV Technicians.
Mariela recently completed the Rise AV Elevate Programme, a leadership development initiative designed to support and empower women working across the AV sector.
The programme brought together 35 women from across the UK AV industry, representing a wide range of roles including technicians, marketing professionals, sales specialists and company owners. A common theme quickly emerged: many participants were used to being the only woman in the room.
Mariela was encouraged to apply for the programme by our Head of AV Resources, Ben Pain, who recognised both her technical expertise and leadership potential. The course involved a competitive selection process, including an introductory essay outlining personal motivations, career goals and aspirations within the industry.
Although initially unsure how she would fit in among participants in more senior roles, Mariela quickly discovered a shared experience among attendees. Mariela said: “What really stood out was realising that many of the women were feeling very similar things. The doubts they had, the challenges they faced and their ambitions, despite being at different career stages.”
A key part of the Rise AV Elevate Programme was collaboration. Participants were placed into small mentoring groups that met regularly throughout the course, creating a supportive environment to exchange ideas and learn from one another.
For Mariela, this sense of community became one of the most valuable aspects of the experience. “Being surrounded by women in the AV industry who openly shared their experiences and challenges felt motivating and reassuring” she said. The course combined virtual learning, in-person sessions and mentor guidance, all focused on helping women step confidently into leadership roles.
One standout element of the programme was the CliftonStrengths assessment, which is a comprehensive strengths-based evaluation rooted in positive psychology. The exercise helped participants better understand how their individual strengths influence communication and leadership.
Mariela explains: “It helped me see my own skills in a clearer way. You realise that confidence doesn’t always mean having all the answers, sometimes it’s about trusting your own perspective and speaking up.”
Participants also received structured development plans outlining personal and professional goals for the next three, six and twelve months, ensuring the learning continued beyond the course itself.
Mariela’s group focused on Radical Candour - mastering honest, constructive conversations and delivering effective feedback. Rather than delivering a traditional presentation, the group chose a creative approach, performing a short skit to demonstrate real workplace scenarios.
“Giving constructive feedback can be difficult,” she says. “Using creativity made the topic more approachable and showed how communication can still be supportive while being honest.”
The programme also included training from a public speaking expert, helping participants build confidence when presenting ideas, particularly when addressing predominantly male audiences, a familiar situation within technical environments.
Despite taking place during an especially busy period at work, Mariela describes the Rise AV Elevate Programme as one of the most impactful experiences of her year. “The whole course made me feel very good. It was interactive, engaging and gave me new perspectives on things I thought I already knew,” she said.
The learning has already influenced both her professional and personal life, from approaching conversations more confidently to adopting one surprisingly powerful habit: “One of the biggest takeaways for me was learning to stop saying sorry so much,” she added.
Beyond skills development, the programme created lasting industry connections and reinforced the message that ‘success in AV doesn’t depend on fitting a single mould’. Mariela added: “It made me understand that you don’t need to be technical to work in AV, there are many paths into the industry.”
Supporting professional development opportunities like the Rise AV Elevate Programme reflects our commitment at RCP London Events to nurturing talent and encouraging leadership at every level.
This story reminds us that progress happens when organisations actively champion opportunity. Mariela’s journey highlights the impact that mentorship can have on the future of the industry as a whole. As Mariela puts it: “Growth doesn’t happen alone - it happens when you learn alongside others.”
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