Rise Women in Broadcast, the award-winning global advocacy group for gender diversity in the broadcast media technology sector, today announced the launch of Panel+ at IBC2025.
Panel+ is a new initiative designed to encourage greater balance and inclusion on industry panels, helping organisers, speakers, and participants ensure that women’s voices are represented in key conversations.
At its heart, Panel+ has three aims:
-
Encourage gender balance – every panel is stronger when it includes a mix of perspectives.
-
Create advocacy – supporters are invited to take the Panel+ Pledge, showing their support by encouraging the inclusion of women when invited to panels.
-
Connect organisers to speakers – Rise is building a speaker pool of women experts across broadcast, media, and technology, making it easier for organisers to find diverse voices.
Sadie Groom, Founder and CEO of Rise, says, “Panel+ is about encouragement, not criticism. We know how powerful panels can be in shaping the conversation, and we want to make it as easy as possible for organisers and speakers to include women’s voices. When panels bring together a wider range of perspectives, the conversations are better, the debates are richer, and the audience is more engaged. It also builds greater credibility, showing a real commitment to diversity and inclusion.”
Panel+ also recognises the unseen barriers that prevent many women from attending or speaking at events. Whether it’s a male boss taking the speaking slot, or family responsibilities like childcare, women are often left out of the conversation before it even begins. That’s why Rise is calling on event organisers to take practical steps such as giving more notice, offering expense support, and broadening their search criteria beyond just C-suite titles to ensure a wider pool of women can take part.
Charlotte Wheeler, Director, Media Production & Technology Show states “At MPTS, diversity isn’t a box to tick – it’s the foundation of meaningful conversation. Our seminar programme brings together a broad spectrum of voices, perspectives, and experiences, ensuring that every discussion reflects the richness of our industry and the audiences we serve.”
Organisers are also encouraged to think beyond tokenism: true inclusion means more than just adding a woman as a moderator. Panel+ is here to help organisers build balanced, representative, and meaningful discussions.
Rich Welsh, President – SMPTE, “As both a producer and speaker, I know different perspectives are essential for panel discussions, and that for the audience they represent the voices of the industry. It’s paramount that many diverse voices are represented, and that we are conveying a positive message of inclusivity with the people represented on our stages. That’s why I’m proud to take the Panel+ pledge.”
Panel+ IBC2025
IBC2025 visitors can find out more at the Rise stand in Hall 8, stand 8.A23, where supporters can sign up as Panel+ advocates, collect their digital social media badge, and women can register as speakers for the database. Or visit risewib.com/panel+ for more information.
About Rise
Rise is a non-profit advocacy group promoting gender diversity across the global broadcast media technology sector. Through mentoring, events, training, and advocacy, Rise works to ensure that women have an equal voice and opportunity in shaping the industry’s future.
More info: risewib.com