Europe - PlugFest, the technical event for entertainment lighting interoperability, returns to Lille in France from 7-9 March 2023. The popular event welcomes manufacturers, developers and technicians from across Europe to test their products and learn about the latest protocols.
PlugFest is an opportunity for participants to collectively test and demonstrate device and system interoperability with the aim of improving reliability, resolving compatibility issues and ultimately improving connectivity between all entertainment lighting and related technologies.
The event’s hosts, Hamish Dumbreck (JESE), Peter Willis (Howard Eaton Lighting) and Wayne Howell (Artistic Licence) are experts in entertainment lighting control protocols. They will host a full educational programme, diving deep into interoperability challenges affecting the live events industry. Plus, they wi

USA/Europe - Avnu Alliance has announced expansion of its time sensitive networking (TSN) Test Tool programme by opening the test tool ecosystem to new vendors. As part of this expansion, third party vendor test tools can be verified and validated through Avnu’s rigorous process, which is designed and maintained by experienced certification management professionals and TSN subject matter experts to ensure that it meets the interoperability standards of Avnu’s Global Certification Programme.
During the eighth annual TSN/A Conference, which takes place September 28-29, 2022, in Stuttgart, Germany, Avnu will host demonstrations in its booth of wired and wireless TSN tests for 802.1AS and 802.1Qbv based on test plans from the Avnu Express Testing Suite. These tests will be run on both the Avnu Express Test Tool and Keysight’s new TSN Test Tool, which has now met the requi

UK - Data Strategy welcomed the many conversations from new and returning customers at this year’s PLASA Show where the company demonstrated the QC-Check workstation, as well as some of the QC-Check’s most popular add-on modules, including VeriCal, Power-Check LOLER inspection and SimplyPATS integration software.
Data Strategy MD, Iain Roche, commented, “What really stood out this year was the number of enquiries about cable and RCD testing with the assumption that the provision of electrical (PAT) testing was a given. The knowledge that a simple solution exists to the time-consuming and impractical task of RCD inspections and cable testing has really captured the imagination of temporary power suppliers, in addition to production rental houses. The stand was consistently busy, QC-Check received a great deal of interest as ever and we had many high-quality conversation

Germany - The DALI Alliance will use the Light+Building trade fair (Frankfurt, 2-6 October 2022) to shine the spotlight on wireless connectivity options via its upcoming certification programmes for Wireless to DALI Gateways and DALI+ with Thread.
Wireless to DALI Gateways allow the use of existing DALI wired products in a non-DALI wireless ecosystem. Certification programmes are in development for Bluetooth mesh to DALI Gateways and for Zigbee to DALI Gateways.
A certification programme for DALI+ is also in development. DALI+ enables true wireless DALI without any need for translation between protocols. The first release will employ Thread as a networking layer. Thread is an IP-based, wireless-mesh networking protocol built using open standards.
The new certification programmes, due to commence in early 2023, will build further momentum for the ongoing evoluti

UK - Claypaky welcomed a large number of industry professionals and practitioners from all over the world to its booth and in the spacious rooms set up in the Henley Suite at PLASA Show 2022.
Alberico D’Amato, Claypaky sales director, said: “PLASA was, as ever, a 'must-attend' event for the British market, which has always been one of the most dynamic and proactive in our industry. However, we were positively surprised by the number of customers from other European countries, and even from Asia, Australia, America and the Middle East. It is a show with an international dimension.”
Claypaky presented all the products it has recently launched on the market, which stand out for their variety, versatility and features. The growing award-winning Xtylos family of laser-source moving heads now includes the Xtylos Aqua, featuring marine-grade C5-M protection, and the Min

UK - Having delivered a series of successful live events from 2016 to 2019, Production Futures produced several equally popular online events during the pandemic, and is now set to return to the road in company with industry experts and brand partners, to open more doors of opportunity by engaging directly with young people.
The first Production Futures On Tour event will take place at Production Park, Wakefield on 29 September, and will be live-streamed as part of the Leeds Digital Festival 2022.
Festival director Stuart Clarke comments: “The Leeds Digital Festival was set up to celebrate all things digital and we’re delighted to be working with Production Futures during this year’s event. The Leeds City Region has a fast-growing digital and creative sector which can directly benefit from Production Future’s approach to providing access and opportunity for you

UK - Out Board reported a busy PLASA Show (Olympia – 4-6 September 2022), with interest echoing that which its innovative and award-winning spatial audio and stage tracking products have been receiving throughout the year. The company unveiled several significant developments to existing products at PLASA this year, including the new TiMax 600-Series Mac and PC software, with significant augmentation to TimeLine and PanSpace object-based spatialisation functionality, as well as workflow UX enhancements.
With stagetracking now such a vital addition to the spatial audio process, visitors to the stand showed significant interest in the enhancements to TiMax TrackerD4, which has steadfastly become the leading live control system for real-time immersive audio spatialisation on premium live shows and events. New features for refined error correction filtering, which no

UK/USA - The deadline is approaching for UK companies to receive funding to exhibit at LDI in Las Vegas for the first time. As part of a ‘Meet the Brits’ initiative, PLASA is working in conjunction with the Department for International Trade (DIT) to help UK-based businesses exhibit at LDI in Las Vegas for the first time this year.
LDI will return to the Las Vegas Convention Centre from 17-20 November and will feature a ‘Meet the Brits’ pavilion. The aim of the pavilion is to connect UK-based companies with new customers in the USA. Thanks to financial help from the DIT, UK companies who have never exhibited at LDI can take advantage of a reduced and subsidised rate.
The price for a branded kiosk in the Meet the Brits pavilion has been reduced to $2,775. However, PLASA is offering six companies $1,000 each to contribute towards the exhibiting costs, bringing t

UK - PLASA Show 2022 took centre stage in Olympia London’s Grand Hall from 4-6 September, and a sense of celebration was in the air. Following a gruelling couple of years for the industry, live events and entertainment are more popular and more ambitious than ever. And this positive trajectory was reflected in the impressive 41% increase in visitors.
PLASA MD Peter Heath comments: “The excitement for PLASA Show this year was undeniable. Not only did we accommodate several more brands than anticipated, the number of visitors through the door exceeded all expectations. As I walked around the show, there was a real sense of community and appreciation for our fantastic industry. Thank you to everyone who made this year’s show one to remember – live events and entertainment are back on the map!”
Becky Stanton of exhibitor Prolight Concepts agrees: “What an event!

USA - The Behind the Scenes Mental Health Initiative will present a free webinar Bystander Intervention in the Entertainment Workplace once a quarter over the next year.
These webinars follow on the success of last spring’s trainings, with previous attendees commenting, “This is the type of training that will help us transform both our working and personal lives for the better,” “This workshop was so helpful in concisely identifying issues and strategies to deal with them. I feel empowered to address awkward situations in my future,” “This training is engaging, good for participation and interaction, and is full of great examples and a variety of methods to use to help others who may need help,” and “The best part of the Bystander Intervention training for me was the many different ways of approaching a situation which I'd never thought of. We all have

UK - At PLASA Show 2022, Highlite featured numerous products from several of its brands including DAP, Showtec and Infinity.
New additions to DAP’s media players include the MP-220BT – a dual media player capable of broadcasting two separate audio feeds simultaneously, and the MP-100DBT – a media player with a DAB+ and FM radio as well as a USB/MP3 player. DAP also introduced its new IP54-rated WMS wall speakers that have been specially designed to be easy to install and position as required. Options include 4 & 6-inch, 16 ohm and 100 V speakers in black and white. A election of other DAP media players, amplifiers, speakers and PA equipment were also on display.
Showtec’s new products include the Performer Cyc Q6 – a cyclorama background wash light, the Performer Profile 700 Q6 ellipsoidal spotlight, the stunning Solaris 5.5 laser projector, and the Qub

UK - During PLASA Show, Robe celebrated a PLASA Award for Innovation win, entertained audiences with its eye-catching All Environments live performance show, launched its new iForte high-powered IP-rated LED moving light in style, introduced its new TX1 Posi Profile which was presented live for the first time, showcased several other iSeries products and enjoyed the buzz and vitality of a production industry that’s back to full speed.
Robe’s live show, which ran at regular intervals throughout PLASA Show, resonated on multiple levels. Whilst showing off the durability, water resistance and many creative features of these impressive new ‘iSeries’ products – iBeam 250s and iSpiiders joining the iForte as stars of the show – Robe also delivered a strong environmental message, underlining the company’s long-term commitment to sustainability.
All Env

UK - Headline speakers and full programme details have been announced for the Theatres Trust’s Conference 22: Theatres Fit for the Future on 11 October at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith.
Conference 22 focuses on creating a lively, engaging and dynamic gathering of professionals to collectively envision a more viable, sustainable, and inclusive future for the UK’s theatres, and the people who visit and work in them.
The keynote session will be led by Rob Hopkins, activist, writer and co-founder of the Transition movement, a radically hopeful and community-driven approach to creating societies independent of fossil fuel. Rob will talk about how the power of theatre specifically, and our imaginations more generally, can create the future we want. He will signal how working collectively at the grassroots and across the country, we can meet the challenges of our planeta

UK - Backup Tech has launched the Backup Photographic Competition, aiming to capture live entertainment, the people that make it possible and the backstage atmosphere. The competition is held in association with headline partner and sponsor the Lightpower Collection, and was launched at this year’s PLASA Show at Olympia London.
The Lightpower Collection is a long-time supporter of Backup and was looking for an idea that would shine a light on Backup and the work it does within the industry, that directly related to its impressive photographic collection.
“We’re delighted to collaborate with Lightpower Collection on this new and exciting way to raise awareness of our industry and in particular the people that make live entertainment possible,” says Backup’s vice-chair Piers Shepperd. “The overall theme of the competition is ‘Entertainment Production’,

UK - This year’s winners of the PLASA Awards for Innovation were announced last night at PLASA Show, Olympia London.
The Awards for Innovation, run in association with LSi magazine, are respected industry-wide for celebrating future-focussed tech that improves safety, efficiency and performance through new methods and materials.
33 products were entered this year. Seven nominees scooped an Award for Innovation, and a Gold Award and a Sustainability Award were also presented. This year’s judging team comprised of 12 independent technical specialists from a wide array of backgrounds, chaired once again by chartered engineer James Eade.
James Eade, commented, “It has been great to see big names launching products at what is acknowledged to be the most independent industry awards. It is heartening to see creative engineers in the industry continuing to devel

UK - PLASA Show, London’s international event for entertainment technology, will once again open its doors at Olympia London from 4-6 September. Thousands of professionals from across the live sector are expected to attend the show, coming together to celebrate the industry’s strength and innovation following the pandemic. Tickets are still available for £15, which will increase to £20 on the door.
200+ global brands will sit side by side in Olympia’s Grand Hall, representing the very best of pro audio, lighting, audio-visual, rigging and staging technologies. These include the show’s headline sponsor Robe, as well as fellow lighting brands Chauvet Professional, Claypaky, Ayrton, Avolites, ETC, Elation, GLP, Vari-Lite, Martin, TMB, plus many more. The pro audio sector is well covered, with brands such as d&b audiotechnik, Sennheiser, Yamaha, DiGiCo, Shure, RCF

The Netherlands - Xytech will be showcasing its Media Operations Platform at Stand 1.C21 during the upcoming IBC Show from 9-12 September at RAI Amsterdam.
Xytech creates intuitive solutions allowing media, broadcast and production teams to create and deliver content; orchestrate crews, resources and facilities; and schedule logistics - on time and on budget. Xytech delivers operations expertise to more than 400-plus global customers, including CBS, FOX and Sony which all run their business on the Xytech Media Operations Platform.
"We are very excited to be attending the 2022 IBC Show," said Greg Dolan, Xytech's COO. "Over the past few months, Xytech has undergone strategic changes that continue to position it as the leader in media operations, including announcing its new leadership team and a new CEO, Keith Buckley. We are excited to be able to show IBC attendees f

UK - Robe anticipates a busy and vibrant PLASA 2022 with the industry, shows and events back and working at full speed.
It will be the official launch of Robe’s potent and impressive iForte moving light, an IP65 version of Forte, the brand’s current highest-powered TETM LED luminaire.
Robe’s expanding i-series of weatherised products includes the iSpiider LED wash beam and iBeam 250 which will join the iForte on Stand C20. These fixtures will be integrated into a Robe signature live performance with a specially created lightshow presented in a purpose-built area together with ‘lots of water’.
Other current products will be the new Painte and TetraX – a 360-degree continuous rotation LED bar – plus Robe’s popular LEDBeam 350TM and the ABTT Award-winning T11TM series, a three-into-one generic lighting solution for theatres and venues.
Dedic

UK - Elation is teaming up with technology equipment solutions provider Entedi to present an exceptional line-up of new lighting tools at the PLASA tradeshow at Olympia in West London. Visitors to Elation/Entedi Stand E-14 will be some of the first in the UK to demo the latest luminaires in Elation’s industry leading IP65 Proteus, high-performance/high-value Fuze, and broadcast-optimized KL ranges.
Highlights include the IP65 full-featured beam fixture, Proteus Excalibur, which has already seen service on several high-profile shows, plus the 70,000-lumen Proteus Brutus LED wash. The Proteus Rayzor Blade, a combination linear wash and FX light, and Proteus Rayzor 1960, a compact yet powerful LED wash effects luminaire, will also be available to demo.
Elation’s new Fuze MAX Profile full-colour LED moving head has garnered a lot of attention since debuting at the Pr

UK - Brompton Technology will be joining leading specialist display and trade-only rental company, PSCo, at the PLASA Show at Olympia London (stand G21). Brompton’s LED processing will be showcased as part of PSCo’s new virtual production offering for the live events industry, alongside other solutions from Absen, Aluvision, Barco, disguise, and Epson.
This year’s PLASA Show for entertainment technology will bring technological advancements from the worlds of audio, AV, lighting, rigging and staging, attracting some 3,000 rental companies and event professionals and 200+ international brands. Representing the company’s largest presence at the show to date, PSCo will occupy 56sqm of floor space, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the live event and entertainment market.
The star attraction of the stand will be a live xR stage to demonstrate the possibiliti

UK - Artistic Licence is exhibiting at PLASA London, Stand D15. This year the company will be showing products across all its main areas of expertise, including splitters, gateways, control interfaces, test equipment and dimming technology.
Entered for the Innovation Awards is the Micro-Scope 3c upgrade kit - a low-cost item that scores highly in the sustainability category. The kit contains a microprocessor chip that allows any Artistic Licence Micro-Scope DMX tester to be updated to the latest specification – most significantly adding RDM support. Artistic Licence started selling these testers nearly 30 years ago and there are many in active service today. The addition of RDM support (via a simple chip replacement that the customer can carry out) means they should be good for another few decades
On a lighter note, Artistic Licence is holding a competition at the s

UK - ETC is set to return to Olympia London for the 2022 PLASA Show from the 4-6 September with the latest product innovations and seminars. The team will be on stand B29 to catch up and network with customers and visitors at the tradeshow.
ETC will present a variety of its newest entertainment fixtures and controls including its latest line of consoles: Eos Apex. This powerful, next generation of lighting control offers cutting-edge technology, a variety of new features, award-winning software and more.
The latest High End Systems moving lights will also be showcased at the PLASA Show, including the newly launched SolaPix 19 XT, an exterior rated version of the most popular SolaPix fixture, the compact Lonestar framing fixture, and the silent fanless SolaFrame Studio.
Visitors to ETC’s stand will also be able to explore the X8 array in the new Source Four LED

UK - Robert Juliat will be exhibiting at PLASA Show 2022 on stand C11 with its exclusive UK distributor, Ambersphere Solutions.
Robert Juliat will present Sully LED fixtures, including profile and Fresnel spots, in warm and cool white LED (Sully White), and the new 4C coloured LED models (Sully 4C) which were first seen at Prolight + Sound earlier this year.
Robert Juliat’s LED followspot range will be represented by the 300W Roxie, 600W Oz and the new long-throw 800W Arthur LT followspots illustrating how Robert Juliat creates followspots to suit all sizes of venue.
RJ Sully White was launched in 2020. It comprises a complete family - profile, single lens and followspot - of high-quality 115W white LED lighting fixtures. These are all available with a warm (3000K) or cool (5700K) white source, and have a guaranteed light output equivalent to, or greater than

UK - Ayrton, which celebrates its 20th Anniversary this year, will be exhibiting its latest LED lighting products on the stand of its exclusive UK distributor, Ambersphere Solutions (Stand C11).
New for this year and being exhibited for the first time in the UK are Cobra, Zonda 9 FX and Domino LT. All three of these products have enjoyed phenomenal success on the plethora of tours and festivals that have taken place worldwide since their launch.
Cobra is Ayrton’s first laser sourced, IP65 rated fixture. Designed for rendering a D65 white point that allows perfect colour reproduction, Cobra is the only luminaire on the market capable of illuminating an object several kilometres away. With an output of 386,000 lux at 20m, an unprecedented 38x zoom ratio and an incredible zoom range of 0.6° to 23°, it also exhibits a native contrast never achieved before by a digital

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