IT'S tough out there for women in the predominantly male world of the events industry.

But Katie Howard, joint managing director of Brightfive Limited, the York marketing and communications firm, is doing very nicely thank you.

She runs the events division of the company, working as a key contractor for a number of leading event agencies and production companies, producing and managing live computer graphics for top organisations like My Travel, Argos, British Airways and HBOS on events all around Europe.

It is work that generates about half of Brightfive's revenues, but Katie, who has been nominated for the Women In Enterprise title of The Press Business Awards 2007 has her own way of dealing with prejudices.

She said: "Due to its heritage in rock'n'roll, film and theatre, the events industry is largely male dominated.

"It has been said that a woman needs to work twice as hard and be twice as good as any man to prove her worth among her peers and clients alike.

"I genuinely believe that I have succeeded in this business entirely on my own terms, without compromise or favour.

"To be brutally honest, many of my end clients work in very traditional - dare I say, chauvinistic - industries and appear not to know how to cope with a young woman who, while sat at a keyboard, isn't employed as a temp.

"I must admit I do find it very satisfying to watch their attitudes change as they begin to acknowledge my expertise and see the genuine added value I can bring to their business.

"Simply put, I don't see myself as a standard bearer for 21st century feminism, just a committed professional who is determined to build a growing, successful and sustainable company."

The company, which is also seeking the Small Business Of The Year title, was launched in 2003 by Katie and her joint managing director, Simon Frost, in Hospital Fields Road on the Fulford industrial estate.

Companies big and small soon latched on to its service - to provide intelligent, effective ways to communicate messages - through the internet, at live events or via multimedia devices such as CD-ROMs of DVDs.

Big brands who have latched on to their expertise include Astra, Zeneca, Whitbread, GNER and Unilever. About 90 per cent of its customers repeatedly use its services and recommend the firm to colleagues.