Hong Kong - LED lighting manufacturer Illumination Physics has reported it is now in recovery mode after its business – with bases in Melbourne, Hong Kong, Macau, Dubai, Delhi and Europe - was among the first wave of companies to be affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. “We have certainly faced some challenges caused by the effects and reactions to the current coronavirus pandemic,” say the directors. “Our factory and the attendant procurement chain was shut down effectively for more than a month and various levels of difficult planning and logistics followed that. But we are now part of the first wave to recover. “Thanks to the hard work and excellent strategy employed in our manufacturing operations, Illumination Physics is now back at 100% operating capacity. “We have clawed back the lost time and we are preparing to deliver three large projects on t
UK - Event production supplier and AV integrator SFL is calling on the entertainment technology and events industries to stand by their teams as the COVID-19 outbreak threatens the liveliehoods of many industry workers. “Events of every kind have been seriously affected in a very short space of time,” comments the company’s managing director, Tom Jeffery. “As with many organisations, this is a significant part of our business, but we know we have to look to the future. At SFL, we consider our team to be our family - one that we will stand by. We have always run a financially-prudent business and we are grateful to be in a position to be able to weather this storm and put our team’s needs first in such a difficult time.” As well as looking close to home, SFL is finding ways to support positive expressions of community on a wider basis, as new ways to communi
Sweden - Gothenburg-based LumenRadio AB has announced the acquisition of Wireless Solution Sweden AB. The two brands will maintain their market identities and operate separately. The combined business will have a yearly turnover of more than €10m and more than 50 employees, with complementary products and solutions, addressing a much bigger customer base. Alexander Hellström, CEO of LumenRadio, comments: “We are really excited about this! Together we will define the wireless standard for the future and with all the great technology and know-how Wireless Solution has built up over the last two decades, we strongly believe that our existing and future customers will benefit from the combined offer. Professional lighting is a high-stakes, no-nonsense business, putting high pressure on suppliers to always deliver, something that Wireless Solution, under the dedicate
UK - As with many businesses in the UK, loudspeaker specialist EM Acoustics is closely monitoring the current public health challenge linked to the Coronavirus, and following advice and applying procedures recommended by the WHO and Public Health England with regard to health and hygiene. Operations director Mike Wheeler reports: “Since we source very few of our components in South East Asia, our exposure to supply chain disruption from China is extremely minimal. Additionally we understand that Chinese manufacturing has resumed to near normal levels, and so we do not anticipate any significant negative effects on our supply chain. “Although restrictions on the movement of goods in Europe, and particularly Italy, is of concern, we do have considerable reserve stocks of components that will allow us to complete current production schedules without disruption.
UK - Artistic Licence reports that it is ‘business as usual’ for the company in the light of the current COVID-19 pandemic. The lighting control specialist says, “As a small company, Artistic Licence is keen to reassure all our customers that we are open for business as usual. Our sales and production departments are operating normally and we have good levels of stock available for immediate delivery. “As a precaution, the decision has been made that staff who can work from home will do so from today onwards, until further notice. Email and telephone details will remain the same and all staff can be contacted as normal.”
UK - Creative Technology (CT) UK is home to hundreds of media servers, each with the latest in GPU’s and processors. Ordinarily, these servers are key to delivering live events for clients but following the outbreak of COVID-19 throughout Europe and beyond, and the related reduction in live events, CT has found itself in a position to get creative with its technology in the form of the Folding@Home project run by Stanford University. CT London has set up a server farm and is inviting researchers from all over the world to use the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and GPU (Graphic Processing Unit) capacity of its media servers to draw, calculate and analyse complex formulas and graphics in the global fight against COVID-19. Folding@Home is a distributed computing project for disease resea
Mexico - LEA Professional has partnered with Soluciones Proactive Latin América to serve the company’s growing customer base in the Latin America region. Based in Mexico City, and owned by Berenice Gutierrez, Proactive will represent LEA Professional’s full suite of products - including its cloud platform set to launch next month. “We are delighted to partner with a nimble and innovative brand like LEA Professional. LEA continues to break barriers in the industry, and I look forward to working with LEA and some of the top distributors in Latin America to help strengthen the industry,” comments Berenice Gutierrez, owner and director Pro Active LATAM. “We are proud to add S. Proactive Latin America to our growing network of global sales representatives and distribution partners,” said Scott Robbins, VP of sales for LEA Professional. “At LEA Professional
UK - Edinburgh-based event company 21CC Group Ltd who deliver events throughout the UK has launched an online campaign #ThinkOthers with the aim of connecting those who need help and those who can offer help during the coming weeks and months as a result of the effects of COVID-19. Director Geoff Crow says, “Our business, 21CC Group, is about bringing people together through events. Like many businesses we are working to come to terms with the impact that the coronavirus is having on the nation, our families, neighbours and our business. “Events are our business; however, events have been halted across the country at this time in an effort to curtail the spread of the virus. “Whilst we are not able to deliver events in this current state of nationwide shut down due to the Coronavirus, in the midst of panic and fear, our team want to deliver a message of h
USA - A group of leading live event industry organisations has joined together to create a GoFundMe campaign to raise $250,000 in donations to provide relief to eligible freelance professionals affected by the coronavirus pandemic due to event cancellations. The campaign is initially being sponsored by Alive Risk, Clair Global, the Event Safety Alliance, Griffin360, Merch Roadie, Show Makers Symposium and Take1 Insurance, with other companies expected to join the cause. The goal of the campaign is to reach out to entertainment industry businesses and live entertainment fans worldwide to raise $250,000 in direct contributions to the Roadie Relief GoFundMe campaign that will then be distributed to eligible freelance professionals through MusiCares. Information about the Roadie Rescue Campaign, who it benefits and how to apply can be found at
World - Industry professionals looking to make use of any downtime caused by the coronavirus disruption across the events industry can now access various web workshops and seminars for free. Lighting professionals can look to the Avoliteswebsite for upcoming online tutorials, webinars and support on the company’s Titan and Ai platforms. Ambersphere has added ‘free for freelancers’ grandMA2 user training and network introduction classes, details of which can be found at training@ambersphere.co.uk. The grandMA2 user course will be 24-26 March and the grandMA2 Network course will be the 27 March. Meanwhile, ETC has made its Learning
UK - PLASA has announced the cancellation of its popular PLASA Focus Leeds tradeshow, which was scheduled to take place on 12-13 May 2020 at the Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds. The Association said in a statement: "Following the concerning developments of the Covid-19 outbreak over the past week, PLASA has come to the disappointing yet inevitable decision that we must cancel PLASA Focus Leeds. This decision was made in order to ensure the health and safety of both our exhibitors and visitors, as without all of your continued support, the show wouldn’t be the success it is today. "We regret that we cannot now share the incredible programme we had planned, as well as two sold-out show floors full of industry figureheads. However, we are pleased to announce that PLASA Focus Leeds will return next year, taking place from 11-12 May 2021, bringing with it the usual vibran
Bangladesh - Adamson Systems Engineering has further bolstered its foothold in Southern Asia with the appointment of Mainspring as its exclusive distributor for Bangladesh. Headquartered in Dhaka, Mainspring will represent Adamson’s loudspeaker offerings in the country’s live production and integration markets. “We’ve seen Adamson’s profile growing significantly in Southern Asia and around the world and saw a lot of potential for a high-end brand with great support and a strong focus on user education here in Bangladesh,” comments Rezwan Rahman, executive director of Mainspring. “We’ve had great interactions with Adamson’s APAC team and Canadian headquarters thus far and look forward to working together to generate new business and opportunities throughout our territory.” Mainspring is currently well-stocked with Adamson’s tour-proven S-Series of
Europe The latest major events cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak include Glastonbury Festival and the Eurovision Song Contest. In the UK, Brighton’s annual arts festival will not take place for the first time in 53 years, while organisers of major festivals such as Reading, the Isle of Wight and Cropredy are monitoring the situation closely. Taylor Swift, Sir Paul McCartney and Kendrick Lamar were due to appear, alongside Diana Ross and Dua Lipa at Glastonbury’s 50th anniversary gathering at Worthy Farm in Somerset in June. "We're so sorry the decision to cancel has been made," a statement said. "It was not through choice." Just six days ago, organiser Emily Eavis said she had "fingers firmly crossed" the event would go ahead. But after the government advised people to avoid mass gatherings on Monday, cancellation became increasingly likely. Fans who h
South Africa - DWR Distribution is now offering training free of charge. New to DWR’s schedule is a Networking and Lighting Protocols workshop presented by Jannie de Jager on 1 and 2 July at DWR Distribution's base in Johannesburg. De Jager will cover topics such as network protocols, show control protocols, planning a network and troubleshooting. Delegates are to supply their own laptop or PC and an optional network switch. Please also bring a valid ID. Delegates are requested to supply their own packed lunch. Bookings can be made online at dwrdistribution.co.za.
USA - In light of the coronavirus outbreak and the challenges it presents the entertainment industry, Obsidian Control Systems will provide free weekly training sessions covering the Onyx control platform and new Netron data distribution range. These classes will be hosted online and are available globally for anyone interested in learning more about Obsidian’s advanced yet intuitive lighting control products. Every week a different range of topics will be discussed in an open forum that encourages user interaction and questions. Topics will include navigating the new Dylos pixel engine to the building of cue and playback structures, as well as FX creation. The Onyx workspace environment will be discussed in depth along with any other topics users are interested in addressing. For details and registration, visit
USA - Behind the Scenes has announced an online behavioural health screening programme as part of its Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative. These free screenings are completely anonymous, private, easily accessible, and quick to complete. The entertainment industry has unique rewards, practices, stressors and challenges that are not commonly experienced in the same way in other professions. By its very nature our industry can impact your physical and emotional health with long hours, pressure to push your body, and high workplace stress. These screenings are a tool to check in on a key part of your overall health - your behavioural health - which includes mental health, substance use, and more. The program consists of nine different sets of questions which can help you self-identify symptoms you may be experiencing. You choose which of the screenings you w
USA - Reacting to the coronavirus crisis, the Chauvet Professional team has offered words of encouragement. “While we are all facing the harsh impact that the coronavirus pandemic is having on our family, friends, colleagues, customers and businesses, we believe that even in the midst of this darkness, light will find a way to come through. And does,” says Chauvet. “This is reflected in the resilience and resourcefulness of our own industry members who, with the door closed on large gatherings, have ingenuously turned to lighting live streamed events. “We’ve been inspired by the example of Events United, which has partnered with UltraSound LLC to live stream a Drop Kick Murphy’s concert; Star Design Event Services, Spectrum Audio Productions and MediaQuest, which streamed a music video by Code Orange on Twitch; and Nic Vasquez who streamed services Sunday
Spain - Madrid-based pro audio specialist Mastering Mansion Pro Audio has been appointed as a local distributor by UK speaker manufacturer PMC, with responsibility for selling and supporting the company’s range of professional studio monitors. Headed by mastering engineer Nick Litwin, who established the company 16 years ago, Mastering Mansion Pro Audio supplies equipment and offers technical support to all types of recording professionals, from producers and engineers to mastering and mix engineers and self-producing artists. “We are a very service-oriented company and everyone working here is an engineer with practical experience in the sound industry,” says Nick Litwin says. “If someone wants to improve the sound quality of their productions, they can talk to us and tell us how they work, what equipment they are working with, how much they want to spend an
Germany - UK-based Peerless-AV has signed a distribution agreement with Kern & Stelly Medientechnik covering Germany and Austria. As of March 2020, the AV distributor from Hamburg will offer dealers and integrators Peerless-AV’s DvLED mounting solutions for brands, such as Samsung and Absen, as well as the Xtreme High Bright Outdoor Displays and Outdoor Kiosk solutions. Kern & Stelly is one of the largest AV distributors in the German speaking area and a member of the Midwich Group. The company offers specialist trade partners in Germany and Austria a wide range of AV solutions - from projectors and professional flat screens to signal management equipment and accessories. Through the distribution agreement with Peerless-AV, Kern & Stelly is expanding its portfolio to include dvLED mounting solutions, outdoor displays and kiosks. “With strong partners li
Chile - Symetrix has chosen Audio Americas as their new sales agency throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Led by president Matthew Garfein and director of commercial division, Felipe Vargas, Audio Americas will provide technical sales support to distributors, integrators, and consultants for Symetrix. “We are thrilled to partner with a sales agency of the calibre and sophistication that Matthew and Felipe of Audio Americas bring to the table,” says international sales and operations manager, Ty Robinson. “Matthew and Felipe are highly responsive, highly engaged, and are eager to grow Symetrix in Latin America and the Caribbean. Audio Americas are a great addition to our international salesforce.” Audio Americas, based in Santiago de Chile, specialises in commercial and consumer audio/video products. Since 2003, they have represented premium, world-class
UK - The Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has addressed the financial difficulties faced by the leisure industry in a comprehensive financial support package revealed during Tuesday's Downing Street briefing on the coronavirus outbreak. Sunak is making available £330 billion of loan guarantees to all businesses. To support liquidity amongst larger firms, the Chancellor has agreed a facility with the the Bank of England. For smaller firms, he is extending the business interruption loan scheme, which will offer loans of up to £5m.
Further measures include: - Removing business rates for businesses with rateable value of £12,000 - Additional cash grants of up to £25,000 - Business rates holiday to apply for 12 months to all businesses irrespectable of their rateable value - Grants worth £10,000 will be available to the sm
UK - A petition has been launched urging the UK government to offer economic assistance to the events industry during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. Instigated by Matt Rakowski of DBpixelhouse, the petition’s aim is: “For the UK government to provide economic assistance to businesses and staff employed in the events industry, who are suffering unforeseen financial challenges that could have a profound effect on hundreds of thousands of people employed in the sector.” To-date, the petition has been signed over 131,000 times – surpassing the 100,000-signature threshold required for the issue to be considered for debate in parliament. Rakowski comments: “The response has been phenomenal so far, we’re at just over 131,000 – whic
World - Huntly Christie, CEO of Christie Lites, has released the following statement in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic: “Like every other company in our business, Christie Lites is not immune and at the end of last week I enacted some difficult measures to counter the effects of the ‘shock-stop’ the industry has endured as a result of the COVID-19 virus. Sadly, this included laying off approximately 200 staff globally. This has definitely been the most difficult situation I have experienced in the company’s 35yr history. We’ve worked extremely hard to build and assemble a great global team and it was a really painful process to see some of our people lose their jobs.” He continues: “As such, I feel it is important to speak about this publicly and this past week have taken several interviews with mainstream media outlets in North America. I have given an
Conventions Cancelled - The convention/exhibition sector is being hit hard. Following the cancellation of Pro Light + Sound in Frankfurt, The 2020 NAB Show, which was slated to begin April 18 at the Las Vegas Convention Centre, has been cancelled. "In the interest of addressing the health and safety concerns of our stakeholders and in consultation with partners throughout the media and entertainment industry, we have decided not to move forward with NAB Show in April. We are currently considering a number of potential alternatives to create the best possible experience for our community," Gordon H. Smith, president and CEO of the event, said in a statement on the National Association of Broadcasters website. He added that they are "committed to exploring all possible alternatives so that we can provide a productive setting" for the event. The annual confab, which in 20
