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The PLASA Awards for Product Excellence were presented yesterday evening after the close of day three of the PLASA Show. With a record number of new technological innovations nominated this year, the judging panel had a tough challenge on their hands.

This year there were five awards categories and 79 nominations, generating £12,000 for PLASA'S nominated charities - Light Relief, PSA Welfare and Benevolent Fund and the Golden Lions Children's Trust. This system has been running for five years now and every penny of the entry fees is donated. To date this scheme has raised almost £45,000 for charitable causes.

The five product categories this year were Lighting, Sound, Stage Engineering, Software (a new category introduced this year), Audio-Visual, and finally an Award for the product with the most environmental considerations. The PLASA awards were presented by PLASA's Chairman, Da

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A renewed sense of optimism was evident around the halls of Earls Court during the 2003 PLASA Show. Despite world events earlier this year, and the knock-on effect these inevitably had on business worldwide, this year's Show seemed to give the industry a renewed sense of its own potential and forward momentum. The Lighting&Sound International-sponsored New Technology Gallery (designed by DWP with fixtures and fittings supplied by Stage Electrics), provided a strong focus with a record number of Product Award nominations - 79 in all - proving that the industry remains a fertile ground for new ideas and invention.

The central networking bar with its surround view and high resolution LED screen from CT Screenco, provided an ideal place to meet colleagues and friends, or plan the ensuing expedition around the hall. This year's more open-plan layout also had the effect of making the show fl

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UK - Live music will once again be played at Alexandra Palace (AP), the North London venue, as it becomes the destination for a live concert by Marilyn Manson on 26 November 2003.

AP is going through something of a renaissance within the music industry at present, and whilst the venue has played host to a wide range of live music events during the last few years, this is the first major touring act to be staged there for almost eight years, heralding a return to form as one of London's leading live music venues. Previous tour acts appearing at the venue included Pink Floyd, Stone Roses and Barry Manilow.

Stuart Galbraith, vice-president of promotions at Clear Channel Entertainment, who is staging the concert, commented: "With the closure of London Arena, and the unsuitability of Wembley, Alexandra Palace now provides the only real alternative in London as a standing venu

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Portugal - When it comes to coverage of top quality sporting events in Portugal, the profile of SportTV looms large. In the last few years, the Lisbon-based cable channel has established itself as a specialist provider of atmosphere-charged coverage of sporting events from all over the world. Recently, with the help of Telex's partner in Portugal, Pantalha, SportTV has embarked on an ambitious program of investment including the acquisition of powerful and sophisticated new broadcasting tools from Telex. The system comprises an Adam CS (32 inputs), a BTR800 UHF wireless intercom system, two RTS ISDN 2002 units, eleven KP12 keypanels five KP32 keypanels.

J. Bonifacio Ribeiro, Pantalha's managing director, commented: "SportTV considered the investment very carefully and tested all the competing products on the market thoroughly before coming down heavily in favour of Telex. I

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UK - The sound of a gavel on wood will be resounding round the Newbury Showground, on 23 October, when the Showman's Show's first auction of event equipment takes place. Over its 18-year history the Showman's Show has kept up to date with the latest trends, continually developing to meet the needs of visitors and exhibitors and, they claim, the auction will be no exception.

With technology developing on a daily basis, it is important to keep up to date, providing clients with the very best equipment available. Often the larger event company stock room is cluttered with items, which despite being in excellent condition are surplus to requirements. However for a smaller company these pieces of equipment would be of great benefit. The idea of the auction is to help all parties through the exchange of these items. The seller gains a return on their original investment and the buyer

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USA - ESTA (the Entertainment Services and Technology Association) announces the finalists for the 2003 Dealers' Choice Customer Service Awards and the finalists for the 2003 Manufacturers' Choice Awards: the 10 Manufacturers vying for the Prestigious Dealers' Choice Awards are as follows: Doug Fleenor Design, Johnson Systems, L.E. Nelson Sales Corp, and Production Intercom in the category of manufacturers with 1-6 employees. City Theatrical, Lighting & Electronics and SSRC in the category of manufacturers with 7-25 employees, and Apollo Design Technology, Electronic Theatre Controls and Lex Products Corp, in the category of manufacturers with over 25 employees.

And for the manufacturers awards the finalists are: Circuit Lighting, Indianapolis Stage Sales & Rentals, Murphy Lighting Systems and Premier Lighting & Production Co, in the category of dealers with 1-6 employees; BMI S

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UK - The Building Regulations* now require building log books containing details of the building services installed in new non-residential buildings, enabling owners or occupiers to monitor and control energy consumption. In response to this new regulation, Action Energy has published Building Log Books - A User's Guide to provide advice on using building log books for facilities managers, building operators and energy managers. The Guide is also designed to help maintenance staff, consultants and contractors who work in a range of buildings.

Using log books should improve the understanding, management and operation of buildings resulting in lower running costs and reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to the atmosphere. The Guide is an integral part of CIBSE's own new toolkit which also includes, Building Log Books - a guide and standard template for preparing log b

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USA - VTG Audio has unveiled its new application, NetCAD. Based on the Stardraw.net engine, NetCAD is a web service that allows users to design, configure and order custom connection and control panels. The application will be delivered through the websites of VTG's daughter companies Horizon Music and Rapco, two of the largest suppliers of cables, connectors, custom panels and metalwork in the US, with outlets in the UK and Europe.

Tthe new service is delivered by a web server and works from within a browser so there is nothing to download or install in the conventional sense. It comprises a drag-and-drop interface linked to a complete library of all of Rapco's and Horizon Music's panel products so the user simply selects the panel he or she wants, drags on the connectors that are needed, and sets engraving, finishes, artwork and so on. The resultant design is linked in real ti

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UK - PLASA 2003 closed its doors after four days of lively business, as a year of planning had resulted in one of the best shows in PLASA's history. During the course of the event, numerous exhibitors not only generated leads, but also took large orders - a sure sign that the industry is beginning to turn the corner.

Feedback from exhibitors has been excellent - Steve Warren from Avolites commented: "We have generated stunning amounts of business and a number of new distributors." Chris Rolph from LED specialist Tryka said: "Its my 13th PLASA - its been phenomenal! We ran out of brochures on Monday," while Dennis Harburn from Shure Distribution UK said: "The layout has made the show more accessible, with a revitalised injection of life and new better quality visitors."

This year, the New Technology Gallery introduced the visitor to an impressive d

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UK - Expectations were high at the PLASA show that a detailed presentation concerning this vital set of Regulations would be delivered by representatives of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). However, policy makers from the HSE announced that the promised third draft of the Regulations, with its accompanying Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) and guidance material, would be delayed further - with the consultation period now scheduled for December 2003 through to April 2004.

Those who attended the seminar on the last day of the show were hoping to get an opportunity to discuss the application of the new Regulations and how their impact would affect the entertainment industry, but all that was on offer was a run-through of the existing proposed Regulations published in the last draft, which may or may not have some bearing on the final set of Regulations.

The delayed consult

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Lots of new members joined PLASA in the summer months.

Three UK companies have signed up as Full members. Cheshire-based VME (tel: +44 1625 585525) specializes in the hire and sale of audio for broadcast, sound reinforcement and installation applications. SDD Sound & Light of Belmont (tel: +44 1784 455666) provides a complete service from self-hire equipment to fully serviced seminars and conferences. Point Source Productions (tel: +44 20 8661 7200) provides full lighting, sound and staging services.

PLASA's Associate Business category, intended for businesses which have traded for less than two years, has two new members. Cantoris Sound (tel: +44 1522 536981) provides design and consultancy, along with installation of permanent sound systems. Blank Canvas Publishing (tel: +44 1892 676280) is a business-to-business publishing company, which produces the bi-monthly title, Pro Audio As

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UK - News came in last night that a stage collapse left up to 20 people injured prior to a sing-along performance of The Sound of Music at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre. The BBC news website reports that the temporary part of the stage covering the orchestra pit gave way when audience members were invited onto to the stage for a fancy dress competition. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive into the cause of the collapse has been launched today.

The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham is an Edwardian Theatre with a seating capacity of 1,347. The theatre presents a variety of productions from pre- and post-West End productions to touring shows, opera, ballet, musicals and concerts.

(Sarah Rushton-Read)

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UK - Expectations were high at the PLASA show that a detailed presentation concerning this vital set of Regulations would be delivered by representatives of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). However, policy makers from the HSE announced that the promised third draft of the Regulations, with its accompanying Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) and guidance material, would be delayed further - with the consultation periodnow scheduled for December 2003 through to April 2004.

Those who attended the seminar on the last day of the show were hoping to get an opportunity to discuss the application of the new Regulations and how their impact would affect the entertainment industry, but all that was on offer was a run-through of the existing proposed Regulations published in the last draft, which may or may not have some bearing on the final set of Regulations.

The delayed consultat

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UK / USA - Autograph Sound has incorporated a new company in London and New York to develop the sales of selected digital products specifically aimed at the theatre market. Named Autograph A2D, it aims to advance the acceptance of digital mixers and infrastructure in the predominantly analogue world of theatre.

In the UK, the company will draw on the combined experience of Andrew Bruce and Duncan Bell of Autograph and Nigel Olliff, co-founder of BSS Audio. The US company will be led by Lew Mead, former owner of ProMix, a New York-based rental company whose association with Bruce and Autograph spans 15 years.

The company has secured the exclusive distribution rights in the US for the DiGiCo D5T, the theatre version of the D5 Live, and will be working closely with DiGiCo to promote the D5T in the UK and the rest of the world. Autograph A2D has been working on the development of

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UK - McKenzie Group recently announced that Steve Forster has been promoted to MKG group operations director. Forster spent three years as general manager of Carling Academy Brixton, before two years as group operations manager, during which he successfully oversaw the opening of Academy venues in Bristol and Glasgow. Forster has been instrumental in the recent growth of McKenzie Group with September launches of two more sites - Carling Academy Liverpool and Carling Academy Islington (London). His appointment as group operations director will ensure the consistency of operations across the Group and maximize the commercial potential and growth for each venue.

Commenting on the appointment, managing director John Northcote said: "Steve has shown both the talent and application necessary to ensure that McKenzie Group's venue stock has a consistent reputation for all that's be

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USA - SIA Software, a Loud Technologies brand, has announced its nomination for a Technical Excellence & Creativity (TEC) award for SmaartLive 5 software. Presented annually by the Mix Foundation for Excellence in Audio, the TEC Awards honour individuals, companies and technical sound innovations behind recordings, films, TV shows and live performances. The 19th Annual TEC Awards ceremony takes place on Saturday, 11 October, 2003 in New York City.

SmaartLive is an industry-standard for dual-channel FFT-based audio measurement software for real-time sound system measurement, optimization, and control. The software combines powerful audio frequency measurement, analysis and data logging capability with a highly intuitive, user-friendly interface and the ability to remotely control an extensive list of leading equalizers and DSP processors.

The latest release, Version 5.3, now in

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UK - The Dave Martin Memorial Sailing Trophy or DAMMSTY held its 12th annual sailing weekend on its usual date in the calendar, the last weekend in September, when seven boats from the audio industry sailed from Sunsail, Port Solent to Cowes, Isle of Wight, stayed overnight and sailed back on Sunday.

Saturday evening went well with 60 diners exclusively occupying the 'Red Duster Restaurant' in Cowes High Street, where the generosity of all participating raised over £400 in the raffle and around another £2,000 will go to the profoundly deaf pre-school children at the Elizabeth Foundation School in Portsmouth, bringing the total donated to over £50,000.

This hugely worthwhile industry fund raising weekend has for the past 12 years succeeded in providing a great opportunity for novice, experienced and highly efficient sailors alike who together race in Solent waters in modern

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UK - In order to improve its service to customers, the company is restructuring, moving to new premises and changing its name. The moves come as the result of a partial management buyout, in which directors Diane Grant and Wyatt Enever have increased their stake in the company and key staff are being given the opportunity to become shareholders.

"David Hersey had the foresight to realize that if the DHA brand and reputation are to remain as strong as they are today, structural and strategic changes would be needed," says Diane Grant. "The three DHA directors are at different points in their lives: David is ready to reap some of his investment in DHA, Wyatt wants to concentrate on R&D - integrating photographic techniques into laser output on dichroic glass and digital imagery for Scene Change - and I want to steer the company through another phase of growth toward

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UK - The Association od Stage Pyrotechnicians (ASP) is running a one-day awareness course, resulting in an Association Certificate, on Friday 17 October 2003. The course runs from 9am - 5pm at the Wynd Centre, 6 School Wynd, Paisley. The course is aimed at technicians and managers who seek confidence in the inherent safety of off-the-shelf systems, whilst showcasing aspects of and uses for pyrotechnics. With a strong focus on practicality and safety, the course is designed to expand your pyrotechnic horizons.

The course is priced at £70 for members of the ASP and £100 to non-members, although non-members taking the course will be eligible upon completion for membership of the association, free of charge, for one year.

For further enquiries or to reserve your place contact Tim Reid on telephone 07941 032646 or at the e-mail or web addresses below.

(Lee Baldock)

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USA - Martin Professional has announced two new appointments at its West Coast office in Simi Valley, California. Joining Martin Architectural as Western regional sales manager for the US market is Mike Case. Case's lighting background includes four years at Lithonia Lighting as Western regional manager for lighting controls and 13 years with Premier Lighting as vice-president of sales. He joins Martin Architectural from Pro Sound & Stage Lighting where he was also involved in sales.

Case told us: "I am happy to be a part of one of the industry's up and coming architectural lighting divisions and look forward to the challenges ahead. As a previous Martin dealer, I have first hand knowledge of Martin's product line and have been impressed with the rapid developments in the architectural range."

Martin's West Coast branch manager, Frank Montero, commented: "Bring

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UK - PLASA exhibitors are being targeted by a premium rate phone line scam. Faxes have been sent to exhibitors overnight, including to the PLASA head office in Eastbourne, requesting that product and cost information be faxed back to the sender. The return number is an 090 - premium rate - fax number, which will cost the caller £1.50 per minute. The letter comes from 'Total Information Service UK - or 'TIS UK'.

In the short-term do not send any information through as T.I.S. UK is not a legitimate buyer, although the company is not doing anything illegal. In the long-term, you can register with the Fax Preference Service (FPS), which can help ensure that your fax number is not available to companies who want to fax you with promotional material that you do not want to receive. Companies using fax marketing are legally obliged to ensure that they do not fax numbers that have reg

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UK - PLASA Media has learned that Farmer Studios, the Leicester-based provider of turnkey special effects solutions for leisure attractions, has gone into voluntary liquidation with the loss of 37 jobs. The company, founded by Nick Farmer in 1976, was for many years a highly successful specialist in its field, designing and manufacturing rides, shows, attractions, animatronics, scenery and interactive experiences for attractions worldwide. In 2000, the company won a TEA (Themed Entertainment Association) Award for its creation of a 'dark walk' at Liseburg, Sweden's largest theme park.

(Lee Baldock)

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UK - The Tussauds Group has announced that it has appointed City of London investment bankers Lazards as advisors in preparation for a flotation in 2004 which is expected to value the business at £900m. The Group, which owns the world-famous Madame Tussauds and other attractions including the London Eye, Thorpe Park, Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adventures and Warwick Castle, says that following a significant improvement in performance over the last three years, it is now in a position to consider flotation, and will be working with Lazards to evaluate strategic options to ensure further growth in the future.

Charterhouse Development Capital, the private equity group which has a majority stake in Tussauds, acquired its share from Financial Times owners Pearson in 1998, for £352m, and has since invested a further £300m in the business.

(Lee Baldock)

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Finland - Audace Ltd, the UK-based manufacturer of the Intelliplate programmable control system for audio-visual installations, has appointed Starlike Oy Ltd of Vantaa, Finland to distribute its products exclusively in Finland. The deal was brokered by Audace's global distribution partner Comsec International. The deal was confirmed at PLASA 2003 recently, where managing director of Audace, Bryan Waters met with Jari Ukkonen from Starlike.

Bryan Waters commented on the appointment: "Starlike is a welcome and highly appropriate addition to our growing portfolio of high-quality distribution partners. We have been in discussion with them for several months now and with the advent of SuperHub and other plans we have for the development of the line, both parties felt that the time had come to solidify the relationship. Starlike brings a broad range of expertise and an excellent

  1. New staff at QSC Audio
  2. PLASA Elections get underway
  3. Entec launches video division
  4. Stagetec has moved
  5. Museums & Heritage Awards for Excellence 2004
  6. UK Trade & Investment - new identity for trade support
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PLASA Media Limited is a company registered in England and Wales with company number 4111709 - VAT Number GB 762 5913 14
PLASA Media Ltd, Redoubt House, 1 Edward Road, Eastbourne, BN23 8AS, UK Tel: +44 (0)1323 524120

 

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