International Women’s Day 2026: Give To Gain

International Women’s Day is a moment to reflect, celebrate and, most importantly, act. This year’s theme, Give To Gain, champions the power of reciprocity. When we give time, trust, opportunity and support, we don’t lose anything. We multiply it.

At Eventurous, this idea resonates deeply. Our industry is built on people, relationships and shared purpose. When women are supported to thrive, the impact ripples far beyond individuals, strengthening teams, businesses and communities.

To mark International Women’s Day 2026, we asked two women at the heart of Eventurous to share their perspectives on what Give To Gain means to them. Our Owner Director, Joanna Garland, reflects on leadership, sustainability and the future of women in the events industry. Our Business Development Manager, Flow Hancox, shares a deeply personal story of loss, resilience and collective generosity.

Together, their stories highlight that giving is not passive. It is intentional, powerful and transformational.

Investing in Women Is Investing in the Future

As a business owner and leader in the events industry, Joanna Garland is acutely aware of how rapidly the world of work is changing – and how disproportionately those changes affect women.

Across the UK, roles most exposed to automation and AI (administrative, clerical, customer-facing and back-office functions) are overwhelmingly held by women. Some research suggests women are up to 40% more likely than men to have their work impacted or replaced by AI.

But for Joanna, International Women’s Day is not about fear or risk. It is about opportunity.

The events industry is rooted in skills that technology cannot replace: communication, collaboration, creative thinking, problem-solving and strategic planning. These are the very skills women in our industry already excel in and which will only become more valuable as the labour market evolves.

Rather than viewing automation as a threat, Joanna sees a responsibility to reskill, empower and elevate women into future-focused roles. This is sustainability in its truest sense – not just environmental sustainability, but social sustainability.

At Eventurous, that commitment means:

• Creating clear pathways for women to move into AI-supported operations, sustainability leadership and strategic client roles
• Investing in training that enables teams to adapt confidently to new tools and technologies
• Championing women into leadership positions where they can shape how our industry evolves

Sustainability is not only about reducing carbon footprints. It is about building organisations that endure by protecting, developing and empowering the people who make them successful.

For Joanna, Give To Gain is a leadership responsibility. When businesses invest in women’s skills, progression and future roles, they don’t just support individuals, they build resilience, retain talent and future-proof their organisations.

Because when women lead, industries thrive.

Turning Personal Loss into Collective Impact

For Flow Hancox, Give To Gain is deeply personal.

Shortly after joining Eventurous, Flow experienced the devastating loss of her sister, Lucy. Beginning a new role while navigating profound grief was overwhelming, but the support she received from colleagues and the wider events community made a lasting difference.

Being given space, flexibility and understanding – without pressure or expectation – allowed Flow to return in her own time. That compassion, she says, made the earliest months of grief more bearable and reinforced the power of community when it matters most.

Motivated by loss and driven by purpose, Flow chose to channel her grief into action. Alongside her nephew, she is training for a marathon to raise funds for Release Therapy and Counselling for Women – a charity supporting women experiencing distress linked to hormonal changes, including perimenopause and menopause.

Lucy’s death by suicide brought into sharp focus the urgent need for greater awareness, research and support around women’s mental health and the impact of hormones throughout life. For Flow, doing nothing was never an option.

Giving her time, energy and voice has brought unexpected gains. Opening up about Lucy has encouraged others to share their own experiences of loss, perimenopause and menopause – creating space for honesty, connection and collective understanding.

Flow’s journey has also shown the extraordinary power of generosity. From donations and messages of encouragement to industry connections resulting in grant funding, every act of support contributes to lasting impact.

Running a marathon is a challenge, but for Flow it is fleeting. The fundraising and awareness raised in Lucy’s memory will continue to support women and families long after the finish line.

Her message this International Women’s Day is simple: change often starts with one brave step. One person choosing to speak out, show up or give back can spark something far bigger.

When Women Thrive, We All Rise

Joanna and Flow’s stories are different, but they share a common truth. Giving, whether through leadership, compassion, investment or advocacy, creates momentum.

At Eventurous, Give To Gain is not a slogan. It is how we aim to lead, support and grow. By investing in women, we invest in stronger teams, sustainable businesses and a more resilient events industry.

This International Women’s Day, we are proud to stand with the women who are shaping our future – and to play our part in ensuring that when women thrive, we all rise.

Are you Ready to Thrive in 2026?

If you’re planning you’re planning a corporate event in 2026 (or beyond) talk to our friendly team of event experts (who are predominantly women!) are ready to help turn your ideas into reality that actually deliver your business objectives, whilst providing measurable value and creating moments your team will talk about long after the event is over.

👉 Find out more about us here and let’s get to know each other better for a productive partnership. Contact us!