On July 4th, Vanesa Alarcón Caparrós, Partner in the TMT & IP department at AGM Abogados, participated in the activity “A chat with…” as part of the programme “Diversity multiplies”, organised by the Audiovisual Cluster of Catalonia. On this occasion, in collaboration with AVIXA, she had the honour of interviewing Sarah Joyce, Chief Global Officer of AVIXA, the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association, known for producing InfoComm trade shows worldwide and co-owner of ISE – Integrated Systems Europe.
The day began with a presentation by Eduard Gil, Manager of the Audiovisual Cluster of Catalonia, who introduced a relaxed and enriching conversation between Sarah Joyce and Vanesa Alarcón. During the interview, they addressed various topics related to the situation of women in the audiovisual sector, analysing both technical positions and roles in management and production. A comparison was made between the United States, Europe, and Spain, highlighting that female representation in this sector varies between 7% and 36%, depending on the territory and professional field.
Vanesa’s questions focused on understanding the reasons behind the gender disparity in the audiovisual sector and exploring effective solutions. Sarah emphasised the importance of tackling this issue from the ground up, at the educational level, and highlighted the crucial role of families and both corporate and state policies. According to her, it is essential to create an environment where everyone feels capable of working in any profession within the audiovisual sector, promoting deep and sustainable change.
Sarah stressed that diversity in organisations not only adds value but multiplies it, bringing different perspectives that improve productivity, efficiency, and economic performance. She also mentioned that technology itself is not free from gender biases, reinforcing the need for awareness and action to eradicate them.
Another key idea from the interview was the importance of women feeling empowered to express their opinions and be authentic, breaking the tendency to remain silent. The key, according to Sarah, is effective communication, empathy, and active listening to promote an inclusive and equitable environment.
At the end of the interview, attendees had the opportunity to ask questions and discuss daily issues related to male-female interaction in the professional environment. The event concluded with breakfast and a networking session in the impressive space of The19thHole in Plaza Urquinaona, offering 360-degree panoramic views of the city of Barcelona.
This event is just the beginning of a series of initiatives within the “Diversity multiplies” plan. The Audiovisual Cluster of Catalonia and AGM Abogados will continue to work to raise public awareness about the need for a change in mindset. Because, as Sarah Joyce pointed out, with our diverse visions and ways of doing things, we multiply.
