Beyond the podium: The power of being in the room where it happens

The scale of the annual IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards is undeniable, and the move to the RDS this May brings it to a new level. There is nothing like stepping on stage as a winner in such a space – it is, as past winners attest, an incredible career high. For everyone else in the room, there is powerful inspiration in watching winners take to the podium. 

But the magic doesn’t start and end there – some of the most influential moments often happen away from the microphone. It might be the smile of shared connection between founders at the drinks reception; a mentorship born over a four-course dinner; or the collective “yes” that ripples through the room during a particularly resonant acceptance speech. Here is why an extra real award on May 15 is the connection you can be part of in the room.

1. Real talk in real life 

We often see the curated versions of Irish business success on LinkedIn. Over the past number of years, on the night of the IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards, I have witnessed people put aside those masks in favour of turning up authentically. The space becomes a room where CEOs share their 2026 hurdles and start-up founders talk about the messy middle. This is real talk, in real life. This vulnerability is where the most resilient networks are built.

2. The “one person” rule

Many attendees arrive thinking they need to network with the whole room. With so many influential people in attendance, that is always going to be a challenge. In reality, the night is a success if you meet just one person who changes your perspective. As 2026 Lifetime Achievement recipient Anne O’Leary says, “If you want to go far, go together.” Whether it’s an ally in your sector or a creative in a completely different industry, that “one person” is waiting in the RDS.

3. Celebrating success together

In our daily lives, we are often so focused on the ‘next thing’ that we forget to acknowledge how far we’ve come. There is something profoundly restorative about being in a room of 1,000 people when a winner’s name is called. It’s not just about the person on stage; it’s about the collective celebration of female ambition. That surge of applause serves as a reminder that in this community, one woman’s win is a win for the entire ecosystem. It’s an atmosphere of possibility that you simply can’t replicate over a Zoom call.

4. Collective wisdom

While winners’ speeches offer incredible insights, the collective wisdom of the room is also found in the cross-pollination of industries. At any given table, you might find a tech disruptor, a creative director and a retail titan sharing perspectives. This 360-degree view of Irish business is rare. It’s a night where a conversation about sustainability can spark an idea for digital transformation, simply because you’re sitting next to someone who sees the world differently than you do.

5. Fuel for the rest of the year

Business can be lonely. This celebration acts as a mid-year battery recharge. To be surrounded by over a thousand women who ‘get it’ – the ambition, the grit and the occasional moments of doubt – is a powerful reminder that you are part of an unstoppable ecosystem… and that there are people who understand what you are going through.

6. Meeting the makers

Awards night is a rare opportunity to say hello to the journalists and editors who shape your favourite features and whom you might want to profile you or your business in the future. Meeting them tonight is not about a formal pitch; it’s about putting a face to the name of the people who form the team that have been documenting the stories of Irish women for 50 years. The writers and editors of IMAGE aren’t just observers of the business world; they are its champions, and they love to hear your stories.

7. Serendipity strikes

The move to the RDS allows us to make more space for the growing, powerful community of Irish women in business to come together. On the night, it also allows for more chances for lucky encounters. In a smaller venue throughout the year, it’s tempting to stay within your circle, but the scale of this night invites a beautiful kind of randomness. You might find yourself in the bathroom queue next to a future mentor, or sharing a laugh during the drinks reception with a founder from a totally different county. By removing the pressure to “work the room” and allowing for these serendipitous moments, you open yourself up to the opportunities that only happen when a thousand bright minds converge.

IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2026

Awards Ceremony: Friday, May 15, 2026, from 6pm until late

Where: The Main Hall, RDS

Dress Code

Black Tie

Tickets

Tickets are available now through Eventbrite below, or by emailing our events team at events@image.ie.

Each ticket includes 

• Welcome drinks reception and opportunity to network with Ireland’s leaders in business
• Delicious four-course dinner including wine
• Luxurious gift bag
• Special musical performance
• Opportunity to win fantastic prizes

Buy Tickets


IMAGE Business Club members have access to one special rate ticket at €385 ex. VAT, available by emailing events@image.ie. Special rate tickets are strictly limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Join the club today and get your discounted ticket. 

For event terms and conditions and the booking policy, please visit HERE.

For judging criteria, please visit HERE.

If you would like to pay via invoice, please email events@image.ie.

For full category criteria and to begin your application, visit our Awards Hub.

Photography by Kieran Harnett