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PLASA Show 2025 - Banner - June-Aug 2025

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UK - SES Film and Television, the well-known manufacturers of power and distribution products, is branching out by stocking Gaffergear - providing technicians and riggers with hard-wearing work clothing. Mark Cooper, director of SES says: "After looking around the industry and speaking to those 'in the know' at PLASA, we discovered that most riggers and stage hands source their kit from a multitude of suppliers and that there was no-one dedicated to supplying them with hard-wearing kit. A company supplying construction workers with the safety boots and outer garments had approached us, but most of the products were beige and brown - so we have taken the tried and tested products and sourced them in black. We'll carry stock of the products shown in our brochure and will be introducing further products in the near future. We will also be offering a customising service for peop

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UK - PLASA's Technical Office has announced that the long-awaited German safety standard, BGV-C1 Staging and Production facilities for the entertainment industries, is now available in an official English version. This standard was first introduced in 1998 and its English translation has been eagerly anticipated for many years.

PLASA, working with its German counterpart, the VPLT, is now offering a downloadable PDF version of the translation, absolutely free, from the web address below.

(Lee Baldock)

Luminous - Banner - Aug-Oct 2025

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UK - Ensuring uninterrupted, safe and reliable power to the stages and numerous hospitality areas of a festival the size of V is no mean feat. Power is essential to everything that happens on a festival site from stage lighting, sound and AV to the toilets flushing, showers running and car parks and campsites lighting up at night. From the first day of the fit up to the last hour of the out and of course throughout the event itself, the one thing that cannot go off is the power.

The responsibility for site power for V at the Chelmsford site this year fell to Power Logistics. And with 65,000 people coming to see over 50 acts playing on four stages in Hylands Park - plus the DJ and sponsored dance tents, catering vans and stalls, backstage hospitality areas, campsites and car parks, toilets and showers - power distribution can be a logistical nightmare.

The production team found itself

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UK - Warrington Borough Council has built a new 24-hour security monitoring control room facility to improve its continued commitment to combat crime. A command wall system incorporating JVC's high resolution D-ILA DLA-SX21 projector and rear projection CinePro screens was specified by Industry Consultant Faber Maunsell.

Jason Todhunter, associate director at Faber Maunsell designed and planned the new facility, and has undertaken all technical project supervision. "Warrington Borough Council required a cutting edge control room facility. Previously CCTV monitoring was undertaken from an outdated control room within Warrington's police headquarters. The new development incorporates Warrington Borough Council's security monitoring as well as care call and emergency planning services," commented Todhunter.

Images displayed on the JVC command wall system are fed from ex

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UK - London-based rental company John Henry's Ltd has acquired the rental division of Sensible Music Ltd. The deal, struck between John Henry and Sensible Music owner Jeff Allen, will see the expansion of John Henry's backline and audio rental fleet, consolidating its position, says the company's statement, as the UK's largest multi-disciplinary rental organisation.

The two companies have been 'friendly rivals' for many years and John Henry commented: "Jeff was looking to concentrate on his growing studio and events operations and we were best placed to incorporate the rental business into our portfolio." Jeff Allen described the outcome as "a logical progression for us both". Sensible Music's studio and events divisions are unaffected by the takeover.

(Mike Lethby)

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UK - London-based entertainment venue A/V installation specialists Live Business International has appointed Sarah Cox to the post of Technical Administrator.

Cox has joined LBI having worked for a rental company as a lighting technician, specialising in automated lights. Before that she worked as the stage manager for the Comedy Store in London. She has a wide range of experience from running - and even performing in - cabaret shows to editing videos.

She now works for LBI as the Technical Administrator, administrating and co-ordinating installations, and various other projects, from conception to completion. LBI founder and director Roland Hemming says: "Sarah's wide ranging experience of both the creative and technical sides of the entertainment business make her ideally suited to this busy role and it's great to have her on board."

(Mike Lethby)

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UK - Allen & Heath has recently appointed three new distributors to its worldwide network of resellers. In Romania, Senia Company 999 Ltd. will now exclusively manage sales of the manufacturer's portfolio of professional audio mixers, while Lexon S.A. and Tech Top Ltd. have taken over responsibility for the brand in Spain and Israel, respectively.

Allen & Heath's sales director, Bob Goleniowski, commented: "We are very pleased to welcome these new distributors to the Allen & Heath network and feel that their in-depth knowledge of the pro audio market, as well as the installers, rental companies, contractors and consultants in their territories, can only strengthen the position of the Allen & Heath brand now and through our continuing expansion."

(Mike Lethby)

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Australia - ARX Systems has announced its new ISO De Balancer Dual Channel balanced-to-unbalanced transformer-isolated signal converter, an addition to its AudiBox range, designed to perform essential professional audio functions in a compact, flexible package.

The ISO De Balancer will convert two balanced low impedance signals to unbalanced low impedance signals, suitable for use with professional equipment and long cable runs. Transformer ground isolation provides low-noise operation and ARX says ideal source units are the ARX Level 8 Audio Balancer and Level Optimizer and the AudiBox Iso Balancer.

Typical applications include interfacing professional standard systems to consumer level product, such as sending audio-for-video around venues for AV displays, plasma screens and the like in sports centres, museums and corporate applications.

The ISO De Balancer is housed in

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USA - Kramer has introduced the 7508, a high quality analogue to digital converter for composite and s-video. This multi-standard unit converts analogue video to SMPTE-259M serial digital video (SDI). Many professional video units, including Betacam decks and DVD players, have high quality analogue outputs, and Kramer says the 7508 is ideal for preserving the quality, and minimizing the artefacts, when converting to digital. It features 10-bit digitizing and a 12V power supply is included.

(Mike Lethby)

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UK - VMI High Definition and Broadcast Facility is celebrating the launch of its new Soho based HD facility on November 15. Making headlines at IBC, the company recently invested in JVC Professional Europe's HD2K for clients wishing to view rushes and final edits of footage shot in HD. Featuring three of JVC's high definition (HD) Direct Drive Image Light Amplifier (D-ILA) devices and an advanced digital video processor, guests at the official launch will be able to see the DLA-HD2K first hand.

A 2000:1 contrast ratio allows for deep rich cinema-quality blacks with smooth gradations and low noise. Colour temperature is factory-set to D65 assuring accurate colour reproduction and natural colours.

Also featured at the VMI launch event will be JVC's 42" and 50" HD colour plasma monitors, the GM-V422PCE and the GM-X50E. Both plasmas plasma supports a wide range of cinem

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UK - The Institute of Sound and Communication Engineers (ISCE)'s Institute Day on October 22 in Watford had as its centrepiece the 2004 Warren-Barnett Memorial Lecture by immediate past president Doug Edworthy.

The lecture gave an attentive audience an insight into the unique Audio Frequency Induction Loop (AFIL) survey conducted by his company, D G Edworthy (www.dgea.co.uk), for London Underground. The survey, based on research carried out at a number of London Underground stations, was designed to assess the practical implications and costs of full compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act by providing induction loops throughout the underground network.

This year's ISCE AGM was treated to the sight of the recently discovered chain of office now proudly worn by President Michael Leaver. Ray Gatehouse joined the Institute's Council; Romers Electronics of Blackburn beca

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UK - Sennheiser UK picked up the Live Microphone Award in the MIA's contemporary awards section for its evolution ew100 G2 Series wireless microphones, in a ceremony on October 6 at Sound in Leicester Square, London.

Sennheiser UK's Director of Marketing, John Steven, commented: "evolution G2 was a major step forward for Sennheiser and the products have received critical acclaim from the many musicians and engineers already using the product. This prestigious industry award is gratefully accepted as it further confirms the product's status as a market leader".

(Mike Lethby)

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UK - The management team of PLASA Show organizer Clarion Events, led by managing director Simon Kimble, has announced the completion of a £45m management buy out from parent company Earls Court & Olympia Group, backed by HG Capital. The deal marks the culmination of a five-year turnaround of the former P&O Events by Earls Court & Olympia Group, which has seen the events company evolve into one of the UK's top three exhibition organizing companies, with a portfolio that has grown from 18 to 33 events.

Managing director Simon Kimble set out a four-stage strategy for Clarion's development in the years ahead. The aims are to "continue to invest in and grow the current show portfolio; consider potential strategic acquisitions in the UK; actively seek venue partners in Europe with associated acquisitions of organizing companies, and extend involvement in the field of 'eventerta

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USA - ESTA (the Entertainment Services and Technology Association) announced the winners of the 2004 Dealers' and Manufacturers' Choice Awards during the LDI exhibition in Las Vegas last week. The Dealers' Choice Customer Service Awards offer ESTA's Dealer Members the opportunity to publicly recognize those manufacturers that provide consistently good customer service throughout the year. The awards recognize superior performance in four main areas: Customer Service, Shipping and Billing, Technical Support and Quotations/Project Management. Dealers cast their votes for manufacturers in each of three categories based on the Manufacturers' number of employees, 1-6, 7-25, and over 25 - and the winners for 2004 were Doug Fleenor Design Inc; City Theatrical and Apollo Design Technology Inc, respectively.

The Manufacturers' Choice Dealers of the Year Awards offer ESTA's Manufacturer

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If the cruise market isn't of interest, then maybe China is. PLASA will shortly be introducing a new service for members which will assist them with securing new business in China.

Run in partnership with Schmittzehe & Partners, the service will embrace investment valuation, financial structuring, business development, negotiations, interim management and the setting-up and manning of representative offices. Members are offered a free half-hour consultation.Call us now on

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24 new members have signed up over the summer months and a further 38 are currently applying for membership.

Included amongst the recent new members are Spectrum (UK) Lasers Ltd (Peterborough), Theatre Projects Consultants (London), Robe Show Lighting (Czech Republic), AV Matrix (Harrogate), Bryant Broadcast (Surrey), Central Presentations Ltd (Kenilworth), Miltec UK (Maidstone), Chainmaster (Germany), Milos Ltd (Czech Republic), PR Lighting Ltd (China), VXCO Lighting Systems (Switzerland), The Sound & Light Company Ltd (Isle of Wight), DiGiCo (UK) Ltd (Chessington), Guangzhou Surepro Audio & Lighting Equipment Co (China), Meyer Sound (USA), Duran Audio BV (The Netherlands), Sleepless Productions Ltd (Havant) and Atmosphere Inc (Derby).

Individual members inc

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PLASA has announced a joint initiative with CMP Princeton, organizers of the annual Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention, to launch a new pavilion at the event, focusing directly on lighting, audio, AV and staging technologies.

The PLASA@Sea Pavilion will form a key element of the show which is the largest gathering of cruise line owners, operators and suppliers in the world. Although such technologies have been seen at Seatrade before, this is the first time they will feature in a dedicated area.

This new initiative offers a targeted market opportunity for companies who want to directly connect to the growing cruise markets and will also raise the profile of PLASA and its members.

Seatrade takes place in Miami in March 2005 and UK companies may be able to secure funding to participate. For further details call our US office on +1 212 352 2334 or e-mail

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UK - Stage Electrics will be holding an auction in North London on behalf of Northern Light on Saturday 20 November. 850 stage and entertainment lighting, sound and miscellaneous lots will be under the hammer at the Millennium Studios, 5 Elstree Way, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire from 10:00am. Over 2500 invitations have been distributed and the level of response has been impressive. Viewing of the equipment takes place on Friday 19 November from 14:00 to 20:00 and on the Saturday morning from 08:00.

There will be new and used equipment to suit every budget. From large Gladiator follow spots to small birdies, Patt 23 to Strand SL Profiles, From Carousel to Barco LCD projectors. The list is endless and an up to date version can be found at the website below.

(Sarah Rushton-Read)

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USA - ESTA - The Entertainment Services and Technology Association - has announced the election results for its 2005 Board of Directors, with Bill Groener of Color Kinetics taking over the role of president from Mike Wood. Other appointments are: manufacturer vice-president - Bob Luther (CEO, Lex Products Corp), dealer director - Larry Schoeneman (Designlab Chicago Inc), manufacturer director - Rich Wolpert (Union Connector Company) and affiliate director - David Taylor (Theatre Projects Consultants).

Bill Groener has a long history of service to the Association, having previously served as the chair of the Technical Standards Committee, dealer director, affiliate vice-president, and a member of numerous committees including Long-Range Planning and the recent Buyers Survey. ESTA says Groener is in the unique position of having, during the course of his career, been a Dealer, Ma

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UK - Following on from the successful 'Working Safely - Adapting to change in the electrical distribution phase colour codes' seminar at the PLASA Show, PLASA is hosting a follow-up seminar on 15 November at RIBA's London premises. The half-day open discussion and workshop will attempt to resolve ways in which the industry can manage the mixture of old and new colour schemes in temporary installations, especially during the grace period which runs until April 2006.

Anyone interested in helping to formulate a practical answer to this change in the wiring regulations is invited to attend. For more details on this half-day session, including directions and timings, please contact Nic Bowker at the email or phone number below.

(Ruth Rossington)

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UK - Ed Pagett, the well-known general manager of VLPS Lighting Services which merged with PRG recently, has left the company following an internal reorganization which sees David Keighley of LSD-Fourth Phase take over at the head of the newly-formed PRG Lighting division. It is understood that Pagett left the company in mid-October, although no official statement had been issued by PRG at the time of going to press.

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UK - Sting and Northern Sinfonia are to perform the classic Waters of Tyne, which will be specially arranged by composer David Lang whilst high wire artist Philippe Petit crosses the Tyne gorge to the upper façade of The Sage Gateshead on 21 June 2005. Lighting for this event is to be designed by Tony Award-winners Fisher Dachs Associates.

Sting - world-renowned singer, composer, actor and activist - will join forces with Northern Sinfonia in June 2005 in his native Northeast. The international chart-topper, who rose to fame as the front man of The Police and went onto global acclaim as a solo artist is to sing Waters of Tyne in an event, which forms part of The Sage Gateshead's opening year of celebrations. Sting commented: "It's really exciting for me to know that this spectacular building The Sage Gateshead will enable visiting musicians to experience this

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UK - Audio Light Systems Ltd is a new company created to provide informed proposals and installations for design teams, contractors and clients. Utilizing the latest software, the company says it can design "technically outstanding and quality controlled installations on time and within budget". From conception to completion and training, this new company is offering consultation, installation and project management for new build, refurbishment and upgrade projects nationwide, covering audio, lighting, AV or specialist systems.

The company's core design team of Eddy O'Hare, Roland Chadwick and Trevor Cross have been involved in projects of all scales throughout the globe for the last 25 years and are familiar names in the installation and consultancy sectors. They are currently involved in projects in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

(Lee Baldock)

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Worldwide - One of the more established scams in this industry is back doing the rounds again, demonstrating just how lucrative this particular con-trick must be. Persistence obviously pays.

If you exhibit at any of the key shows in the industry, you'll certainly be targeted: the pitch comes via an A4 form inviting you to update an online listing run by a European publisher. Because the listing is overtly linked to a particular trade show, you could be forgiven for thinking that the website in question is somehow endorsed by the organizer, when in fact it is nothing of the sort.

What it is, is a lesson in how to take advantage of people who are just too busy to check the small print. Through the two-minute act of updating and returning the form, which appears to suggest the service is free, you are actually signing a contract binding you to a three-year agreement, which will l

  1. Showsec secure Earls Court
  2. PLASA Elections
  3. Grants to help Exhibitors in 2005
  4. PLASA Membership Passes 500 Mark
  5. New wiring colour identification labels
  6. VectorWorks puts lighting design in the Spotlight
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