New for this year, the innovative zoned layout of PLASA Show 2015 was clearly a success, allowing show visitors to easily find the exhibitors they wanted to visit. In turn, this meant exhibitors enjoyed the attention of high quality visitors throughout the show.
"We were extremely busy all day. We changed the way our stand looks for this year and it's worked fantastically," said Koy Neminathan, Sales Director for Avolites and Avolites Media after the first day.
As in previous years, PLASA Show Platinum sponsor Robe occupied a large area and Robe CEO Josef Valchar pronounced himself very pleased.
"We had a really positive reaction to the stand, with people truly thrilled with the theatrical environment," he says. "The One Light Show, a performance lit by leading South African LD Michael Broderick, was completely sold out. We could easily have doubled the capacity. The hourly rock lightshow was also well received, attracting hundreds of people to the stand every time."
Despite criticism of the show in recent years for a lack of audio in its exhibitor base, those that attended reported brisk business.
"PLASA 2015 was a successful show for us," says Terry Murphy, Sales Manager (UK and ROI) for Yamaha Commercial Audio. "We received many high quality sales leads for Yamaha mixing consoles and CIS installation products, with the Nexo products on show also the subject of many enquiries. PLASA attracts potential Yamaha customers from across the industry and we were pleased with the number who visited us."
Christopher Toulmin, Director of PLASA Events, says: "We are grateful to Platinum Sponsor Robe, Gold Sponsor Clay Paky and Silver Sponsor TMB, as well as all the exhibitors and visitors for their help in making PLASA Show 2015 a success."
"It was good to end our stay at ExCeL on a high and we are excited to be moving back to West London in 2016 for a new, refocused PLASA Show at Olympia."
He continues: "We have listened to a great deal of feedback and are making some significant changes to ensure that, next year, we will deliver an event that is better aligned for the needs of the market. With the continued success and support of the industry for our Focus events, next year's London Show will build on what we have learned."
PLASA Show 2016 will move back to September, to be more aligned with the industry's purchasing cycle and before the touring season begins. It will feature more experiential opportunities for visitors with demo areas, meeting spaces, a fantastic conference centre and an infrastructure more suited to the social needs of the industry.
Taking place from 18-20 September 2016, the 39th PLASA Show is set to be a positive re-launch for the UK's leading production technology event.