Sponsorship Opportunities

Honouring The Everyday Hero + Beyond

Celebrating the Village behind the Victories

Saturday 10th October 2026 · The Timberyard, Port Melbourne

Introducing EWIT

At Empowered Women in Trades (EWIT) we are dedicated to revolutionising the trades industry and creating a future where women and non-binary people are empowered, represented and thriving in skilled trades careers.

Why does this matter? The stats speak for themselves.

Women only hold 1 out of 100 industry trades apprenticeships.

Female representation in trades is only 3% with some trades such as Carpentry (ANZSCO331212) and Welding (ANZSCO322313) only having 1% female representation.

47% have left or thinking of leaving. The percentage of female tradies that have left or thinking about leaving is due to lack of respect / harassment.

Labour shortages have been identified in 100 of 293 occupations nationally, with the technicians and trades workers group showing a labour shortage across every state in the country.

Source: Jobs and Skills Australia

Our vision is to create a unified and inclusive community that connects stakeholders within the skilled trades industries. Together, we can shift the industry culture to one where everyone can thrive.

We firmly believe that every woman and non-binary person deserves the opportunity to build a fulfilling and rewarding skilled trade career.

Our programs, services and events are a gateway to a world of opportunities and support for women in trades.

Why This Night Matters

391

Attendees in 2025

Industry leaders, tradie trailblazers & emerging talent

97%

Rated Excellent

Attendees rated the 2025 event excellent

92%

Left More Inspired

Attendees left feeling more inspired than when they arrived

86%

Made New Connections

Attendees forged meaningful new industry connections

  • The EWIT Gala didn't just generate visibility, it drove meaningful engagement with 86% of attendees forging new industry connections from mentorship to friendship, and even employment.

The Experience for Sponsors

  • Direct access to future talent:
    Connect with apprentices, emerging leaders, and future hires early

  • Employer brand positioning:
    Be recognised as a brand that actively invests in the future of trades

  • Alignment with DE&I leadership:
    Stand alongside a movement partners described as “empowering, inclusive, and industry-shifting”

  • High-value industry connections:
    Build relationships in a room partners called “genuine, community-driven, and deeply connected”

  • Meaningful brand visibility:
    Not just seen, experienced through storytelling, activations, and real connection

  • A seamless, high-calibre partner experience:
    Delivered with clarity, communication, and professionalism partners described as “polished” and “exceptional”

  • Energy people remember:
    A high-impact atmosphere that drives connection, pride, and momentum through the night

  • Part of something bigger:
    Partners consistently shared a strong sense of pride, alignment, and eagerness to return

Honouring The Everyday Hero and The Village Behind Them

The EWIT Gala is more than an event. It’s a moment in history.

A celebration of the everyday heroes who keep our world working.

CEOs, first-year apprentices, business owners, and trailblazers will all stand side-by-side.

Mentors, employers, allies, partners and educators who said supported every step of the way.

This night will honour the unsung legends. The hands-on, problem-solving, heart-driven heroes that make our industry thrive, and the village behind them.

I’d a thousand percent recommend the EWIT Gala to every tradie and apprentice I know! Events like this are exactly what our industry needs — they make you feel supported, seen, and proud to be part of such a strong community of women in trades. I’m so grateful that something like this exists while I’m doing my apprenticeship because it reminds me that I belong here, and it makes me even more excited for the future of women in trades.

- Hayley Campbell, Apprentice, Media / Content Creator

The EWIT Gala 2026 Full Production

Designed to maximise connection, visibility, and experience for every partner involved.

At an iconic Melbourne venue, 400+ attendees, from industry leaders to emerging talent will gather once more to network, celebrate, and champion village transforming the future of trades in Australia.

CEOs, first-year apprentices, business owners, leaders, decision makers and trailblazers will all stand side-by-side to honour the unsung legends that keep our world working.

You'll be part of a full production experience with five distinct acts that take every guest on a journey from first arrival to final celebration.

ACT ONE

Welcome Drinks & Activations

Branded activations, photobooth experiences, welcome drinks and networking with 400+ from the industry, from apprentices to leaders, including C-suite and senior decision-makers. This is where the village connects and energy ignites.

ACT TWO

Sit-Down Dinner

Premium dinner service with the official Gala Showbook at every place setting. A place to connect on tables with strangers, bring the village together to indulge.

ACT THREE

Awards Ceremony (During Dinner)

MC-hosted full show production. Stories shared, the village acknowledged, all celebrated!

ACT FOUR

Entertainment (During Award Ceremony)

Live entertainment curated for the EWIT community. High energy atmosphere celebrating the night's honourees and every person who was part of their success.

ACT FIVE

After Party

The village comes alive. Dancing, celebration, and continued networking. The best conversations and connections yet to come.

Awards Available to Sponsor

Each sponsorship partner is paired with one of our prestigious awards. You will take the stage to present the award, celebrate the winner, and be forever associated with one of the most powerful moments of the night.

1

Tradie Lady of the Year (SOLD)

Celebrates an exceptional woman in trades who leads by example, breaks barriers, and inspires the next generation.

2

Tradie Trailblazer (ON HOLD)

Recognises someone actively motivating others to pursue careers in trades, fostering a more inclusive industry.

3

Exceptional Educator

Honours an educator who goes above and beyond to make a meaningful, lasting impact on students and the broader community.

4

Industry Leader in DE&I (Individual)

Recognises a changemaker leading the charge in embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion across their organisation.

5

Industry Leader in DE&I (Organisation) (SOLD)

Recognises a company creating meaningful pathways for underrepresented groups in trades by embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into its culture, partnerships, and workforce strategy.

6

Cultural Change Maker (SOLD)

Honours individuals who challenge the status quo and create positive cultural shifts within their workplace or industry.

7

Most Innovative DE&I Program

Honours forward-thinking approaches that deliver measurable, lasting change beyond standard diversity policies.

8

Ally Award (LGBTQI+ Impact)

Recognises individuals who actively create space, opportunity, and equity for women and LGBTQI+ people in trades.

9

The Johnny Award (SOLD)

Named after Johnny Cirelli — celebrates those who open doors, challenge limiting beliefs, and inspire lasting change through mentorship.

10

Apprentice of the Year (SOLD)

Recognises an outstanding emerging tradesperson demonstrating excellence, strong work ethic, and passion for their future in trades.

11

Tradie Lady of Influence

Celebrating a woman driving change, building community, and amplifying the trades industry through digital platforms and influence.

The EWIT Champion Award is proudly reserved exclusively for the Powered By Partner.

Sponsorship Opportunities

The EWIT Gala 2026 offers a carefully structured range of sponsorship opportunities designed to maximise your impact, visibility, and connection within the industry.

1 AVAILABLE

Powered By Partner

$60,000 + GST

1 AVAILABLE

Gold

Sponsor

$25,000 + GST

Currently 1x Sold

7 AVAILABLE

Award

Sponsor

$14,500 + GST

Currently 4x Sold

1x on hold

1 AVAILABLE

Apprenticeship Ticket Sponsor

$7,500 + GST

Currently 1x Sold

Powered By Partner

$60,000 + GST

The EWIT Gala 2026 offers a carefully structured range of sponsorship opportunities designed to maximise your impact, visibility, and connection within the industry.

Pre-Event

  • Headline naming rights: "EWIT Gala 2026

  • Powered By [Your Brand]"

  • Premium placement in all pre-event marketing

  • Featured in EWIT Instagram "Guest Speaker" series

  • Featured on EWIT's official "Partners" page

  • LinkedIn newsletter announcement

  • EDM announcement

  • 3x Collaborated Posts on EWIT Instagram for community connection

VIP Dinner

  • VIP Dinner naming rights: "VIP Dinner Hosted by [Your Brand]"

  • 8x Tickets included

  • Speaking opportunity at the VIP Dinner

  • Branded presence throughout the VIP Dinner

Gala Night

  • 10-minute keynote address to the full audience on the main stage

  • Exclusive EWIT Champion Award presentation on stage

  • Choice of one additional award to present

    Premium branded activation + branded photobooth

  • Prime logo placement across all event assets

  • 12 complimentary tickets + three MC shout-outs

  • Four-page spread in the official Gala Showbook

Post Event

  • Dedicated feature story across EWIT digital channels

  • Up to three custom questions in post-event attendee survey

  • Full access to event photo & video gallery

  • Co-branded highlight reel for socials, PR & internal comms

  • Impact report shared 30 days post event

Gold Sponsor

$25,000 + GST

Position your brand as a leading force in the movement. As a Gold Partner, you will have prominent stage presence, a powerful branded activation, and a premium showbook feature.

Pre-Event

  • Featured in EWIT pre-event marketing: email, website & social

  • Priority award selection before Awards Partners

  • Co-branded social media and email feature announcing sponsorship

  • Featured on EWIT's official "Partners" page

  • 2x Collaborated Posts on EWIT Instagram for community connection

VIP Dinner

  • Invitation to the exclusive VIP Sponsor & Alliance Member Dinner

  • 4x Tickets included

Gala Night

  • Short speech opportunity in the opening round of awards

  • resent your partnered award on stage

  • Branded activation — exclusive to Powered By and Gold Partners

  • Logo across signage, screens, programs & step-and-repeat

  • 6 complimentary tickets

  • Two MC shout-outs

  • Double-page spread in the official Gala Showbook

Post Event

  • Co-branded highlight reel for socials, PR & internal comms

  • Full access to event photo & video gallery

  • Impact report shared 30 days post event

Awards Sponsor

$14,500 + GST

Align your brand with one of the most powerful moments of the night. Take the stage to present a legacy-defining award and be recognised as a proud advocate for progress, diversity, and recognition in trades.

  • Exclusive award naming rights on stage

  • Take the stage to present your partnered award

  • 2 complimentary tickets

  • Two MC shout-outs

  • Single-page feature in the official Gala Showbook

  • Invitation to the exclusive VIP Dinner (2x tickets)

  • Full access to event photo & video gallery

  • Featured on EWIT's official "Partners" page

  • 1x Collaborated Posts on EWIT Instagram for community connection

Apprenticeship Ticket Sponsor

(1x SOLD) - $7,500 + GST

Cover up to 30 tickets to the EWIT Gala 2026, ensuring apprentices and emerging tradespeople can attend this landmark evening. Comes with a dedicated promotional campaign celebrating the next generation.

  • Cover up to 30 Gala tickets for apprentices

  • Dedicated pre-event promotional campaign

  • Named as Apprenticeship Ticket Sponsor across all collateral

  • Recognised on stage on the night

  • Featured in the official Gala Showbook

  • Invitation to the VIP Dinner (2x tickets)

  • Post-event impact story on apprentice outcomes

Please note, this does not include an award sponsorship.

Measurable Impact

The EWIT Gala 2026 is more than a night. It is a movement with momentum, a village with purpose, and a stage that changes lives. As a sponsor, you are part of making history, part of celebrating every victory and everyone behind it.

Brand visibility, reach and impact that extends beyond the room.

400+ industry professionals on the night, backed by:

  • 10,000+ LinkedIn followers

  • 7,000+ Instagram community

  • 4,000+ newsletter subscribers,

  • 116,000+ social reach in 2025.

Strategic networking and meaningful connection with the right people.

C-suite executives, senior decision-makers, hiring managers, industry influencers, and more gathered together to connect with.

Commercial momentum that outlasts the night.

Lead generation, collaborations, pre and post-event amplification, and a detailed impact report showing your reach, visibility, and ROI long after the Gala ends.

Brand credibility and purpose alignment for market differentiation.

Visible partnership with EWIT proves to customers, clients, and future talent that your organisation doesn't just talk about diversity - you invest in it. In a market where values-alignment drives purchasing and employment decisions, that distinction sets you apart.

Shape careers and inspire an industry.

  • Honour the everyday heroes and rising stars who are changing the face of trades.

  • Champion the individuals and organisations driving inclusion, innovation, and leadership.

  • Take the stage to celebrate excellence and stand beside those creating real-world change.

  • Position your brand as a leader that invests in people, purpose, and the next generation.

Shape careers and inspire an industry.

  • Honour the everyday heroes and rising stars who are changing the face of trades.

  • Champion the individuals and organisations driving inclusion, innovation, and leadership.

  • Take the stage to celebrate excellence and stand beside those creating real-world change.

  • Position your brand as a leader that invests in people, purpose, and the next generation.

Stand With The Village

Review

Select the partnership level that aligns with your organisation

Contact

Reach out to confirm your interest or book a short alignment call with:

Secure

Finalise your partnership agreement with the EWIT team before public release

Celebrate

Join us at the EWIT Gala 2026 as a visible force in the industry being part of making history

We may not be able to change the world but together, we can be world changing.

We invite you to champion everyday heroes, transform the industry, and leave your legacy.

It takes a village. Ready to stand with us?

#ittakesavillage

#30by30

#EWITGala2026

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