Nearly 700 attendees saw a number of new products make their regional debut, including the first fixtures of Martin Professional's new range - RUSH; four new fixtures from Robe Lighting's multi award-winning Robin product line; Elation's EZ6 LED Video Panel, Rayzor 7 and Platinum Beam 5R Extreme; DiGiCo's latest theatrical software updates for the SD9, showcased on the Group One booth; GLP German Lighting Products Impression X4S; Truss Aluminium Factory's TOWER 05; and iWeiss's ViaTraveler and BannerHoist.
The PLASA Professional Development Programme proved a massive hit once again, packing out rooms to see names such as Matt Conover, vice president at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Creative Entertainment; Jason Robinson, production designer for WWE's WrestleMania and NASCAR; Wayne Trevisani, FOH engineer for Jay-Z and Kanye West; and renowned lighting designer and theatre consultant Richard Pilbrow.
Exhibitor sessions included an introduction to CAST Software's revolutionary BlackTrax; a demonstration of Robe Lighting's new line of LED luminaires; a look at Hippotizer Media Servers by TMB, for Green Hippo; and a review of how to blend LED with traditional fixtures from Chauvet Professional.
Jackie Tien, director of media, sales & marketing at PLASA, commented: "Wow, what a great show. There is something so special about these new regional events, the atmosphere is always incredibly friendly and the audience are switched on and ready to engage and ask questions. The quality of the free sessions was outstanding in Orlando and its awesome to give regional entertainment technology communities a place to get together to see the latest gear without having to travel. We're all very excited about being back in Austin this September 10 - 11."
The regional nature of PLASA Focus events provides exhibitors with the opportunity to connect with people who they don't usually see at the international shows. Rick Rudolph, of Stage Equipment & Lighting, commented, "It's been great show for us. We've met people we have not seen before. Dealers should not miss the opportunity to meet new customers in their own region." Mark Watzl, of Show Sage LLC, added, "PLASA Focus has worked out very well for us. I love the locality because people seem to have different concerns everywhere you go."
Exhibitors spoke enthusiastically about the informal and friendly atmosphere at the show, a trademark of the Focus series. "I like the intimacy of the show, it provides more quality time with attendees to demo products and answer questions" commented Greg Smith of Navigator Systems. Chris Curran, of TMB, added, "PLASA Focus enables us to connect in a much more relaxed environment whilst still achieving the end goal."
Keith Kankovsky, of Apollo Design, stated, "This show had an entirely different feel than any I've attended in the past. Rather than a mix of small and huge booths dotting the show floor, the PLASA Focus event evened the playing field by providing a selection of 8 x 10 ft. booth spaces. By the first hour of the event, I was impressed and glad we attended. All in all I would consider the new format style of PLASA Focus a definite success."
Organizers confirm over 40 exhibitors have already signed up for PLASA Focus: Austin 2013, taking place at the Palmer Events Centrein Texas on 10-11 September 10 and 11. This is the second PLASA Focus to take place in Austin, following on from the first-ever PLASA Focus which took place in February, 2012. Free visitor registration is open now at www.plasafocus.com/austin.
PLASA Focus will also be returning to Nashville in February 2014 - free registration will open soon at www.plasafocus.com/nashville. PLASA Members, Focus Series exhibitors, and reg
