Over the past decade, women in AV have begun carving out a stronger presence, supported by industry-wide efforts to create space, visibility, and opportunities for professional growth.

One initiative is the AVIXA Women’s Breakfast at InfoComm, an annual event that has become more than just a networking opportunity. Supported by the AVIXA Women’s Council, the Breakfast offers a space for women and allies to share experiences and find community.

By building connections, spotlighting accomplishments, and offering platforms for meaningful dialogue, events like this help reinforce that women not only belong in AV—they are essential to its future.

During the AVIXA Women's Breakfast at InfoComm 2025, guests convened and dined over eggs, pastries, and coffee in the grand Valencia Ballroom of the Orange County Convention Center.

Summer Campagna, Marketing Specialist for LRAV, was a first timer at InfoComm, and added the Breakfast to her InfoComm schedule looking to connect with other women in the AV industry.

“Given my growing involvement in the industry, particularly with my increased use of AVIXA Xchange this year, I saw this as a great opportunity to meet like-minded individuals, share experiences, and expand my network. What truly excited me about the event was the chance to learn from others who share similar interests and challenges. I had initially expected the breakfast to be a simple meet with a speech, a coffee, and a few casual conversations. However, I was genuinely blown away by what the event had to offer. It was so much more than I had anticipated. I left feeling not only inspired and motivated but also ready to take actionable steps in my career,” she remarked.

Another attendee, Joanna Lovell, is currently an RSM in Broadcast Sales for Marshall Electronics. She has attended the AVIXA Women’s Breakfast at InfoComm several times before, since the event begins promptly at 7:30 am before the trade show floor ramps up.

“As a salesperson, I have limited time to leave the floor. But the breakfast happens before show hours, and from connecting to the council and attending the breakfasts in the past, I knew it would be worth it,” said Lovell.

Noelle Russell’s Keynote

Noelle Russell, a trailblazer for women in tech, led the inspiring, heartfelt breakfast with her keynote: “Navigating Challenges, Embracing Triumphs: Empowering Women in Leadership.” And what an invigorating way it was to kick off a Thursday morning! Through captivating stories, personal anecdotes, and expert insights, she shed light on the power of resilience and the profound impact it has on shaping success.

Russell has dedicated her career to helping organizations uncover the possibilities artificial intelligence (AI) presents to businesses and guiding them through the intricacies of AI adoption. As Founder and Chief AI Officer at AI Leadership Institute, Russell advises companies across industries on how to integrate emerging technologies into their strategies. She is an award-winning technologist and among her accolades, she was recently honored with the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional award for Artificial Intelligence, as well as VentureBeat’s Women in AI Responsibility and Ethics award.

During the AVIXA Women’s Breakfast, Russel’s speech was full of heart, courage and insights, empowering those in attendance.

“Noelle Russell’s speech really left a lasting impact on me. It was real, personable, and vulnerable in a way that made her message not only resonate but also deeply stir my thoughts about my own future. She challenged me to think more strategically about how global technology trends, particularly AI, are shaping our world. Her message was clear: the world isn’t going backwards, and I shouldn’t let fear hold me back from embracing these changes. Instead, I need to learn to leverage AI to my advantage, stay ahead of the curve, and be proactive in this evolving society,” expressed Campagna.

“I appreciated that she connected with all of us so quickly,” added Lovell. “She advocated for us to not let anything stand in our own way. Especially yourself. I left feeling more confident in my ability to be successful and learned not to focus on the things that are in my way. But to build my own way around them. And being in a community with other women is truly valuable.”

For those who couldn’t make it, here’s a video recap of the AVIXA Women’s Breakfast during InfoComm 2025!

AVIXA Women’s Council

Driving momentum for women in AV is the AVIXA Women’s Council, a dynamic group dedicated to empowering women in the AV industry through networking, education, and advocacy. As part of their work, the council supports the planning and execution of the AVIXA Women’s Breakfast.

“One of the biggest highlights for me [at the AVIXA Women’s Breakfast] was learning more about the AVIXA Women’s Council. Before the event, I wasn’t fully aware of the extent of its national presence and the impactful work it’s doing to support women in the AV industry,” said attendee Campagna.

With local groups around the world, the council creates ongoing opportunities for women to grow their careers, develop leadership skills, and support one another both in and beyond events like InfoComm. Their work is helping to shape a more inclusive, balanced, and forward-thinking AV industry.

To learn more about the AVIXA Women’s Council, visit this page on AVIXA.org.

And let us know below—what events have you found empowering?