Research at last year's show revealed that both visitors and exhibitors consider new products as the main draw for the PLASA Show. In response to this, the PLASA Awards for Product Excellence are being relaunched as the PLASA Awards for Innovation, with the focus on those products which genuinely advance the industry or an application, represent a key step forward in safety or improve technical practices.
The Innovation Gallery will showcase all the nominated products, creating an exciting and intriguing focus at the entrance to the show, where visitors can view the products before going into the main exhibition hall. Instead of categorizing the products into separate sectors, all the entries will then be judged against all other nominees by a panel of experts - on grounds of innovation alone. At the Awards Ceremony on the evening of Monday 13 September, a total of eight Awards for Innovation will be presented.
The PLASA Professional Development Programme (PDP) is also being revamped for 2004, and will be based on different types of learning experiences. It is built around three key strands - workshops, advice/discussion sessions and networking events. The workshop sessions will deliver practical hands-on learning and advice across the main disciplines. The advice/discussion sessions will cover key issues faced by the industry at present and offer business advice, while the networking events will offer more informal presentations on topical issues by inspirational speakers. Full details of the Professional Development Programme will be available soon.
Launched in 2003, the Architectural Audio and Visual area demonstrated that there is exponential growth and demand in this sector. This sector will attract architects, designers, specifiers and end-users - many of whom are first-time visitors to The PLASA Show. A number of exciting and inspirational features are being planned to complement this area, further details of which will be available soon. Stands in this area will be arranged as a village, focusing around a networking bar, and key names confirmed include ADS Worldwide, Audace, Bosch Security Systems, British Optical, DNH Worldwide, Traxon UK and Penton UK.
For regular visitors and exhibitors, the traditional elements of the PLASA Show are pivotal to their experience, and with clear signage to help the hall layout, the stands will be easier to navigate than previously. Currently 94% of stand space is sold and the line-up of exhibitors includes not only PLASA Show regulars, but a raft of new names and returning companies.
The PLASA Pavilion has been an established feature of the show for a number of years and provides the opportunity for innovative new or smaller companies with niche products to exhibit without feeling overshadowed by companies taking larger stands. This year the show is welcoming a number of new companies with diverse products ranging from cable and connectors to lighting control and projection products.
Since its inception the PLASA Show has been a networking haven, and the successful Central Bar, launched in 2003, is being revamped for 2004. It remains positioned at the hub of the show, with giant screens and internet access. The Central Bar will also be the stage for the PLASA Awards for Innovation presentation ceremony. Finally the per
