UK - VDC Trading Limited, the London based company distributing the Van Damme cable brand, has again broadened the scope of its online ordering system. It now facilitates the ordering of data single leads and assemblies online. Already a great success for both the audio and video cable buyers, the online 'YouSpec' system now allows web visitors to design, specify, price-up and order completely bespoke data cable solutions - 24 hours a day, every day.

Cables available include 22 different Van Damme and standard network cables. These include Van Damme Tourcat F/UTP, U/UTP and SF/UTP tactical Cat 5E cables, Cat 5E solid conductor cables, screened and unscreened, Cat 5E U/UTP stranded patch cables in 6 colours and Cat 6 and Cat 6A standard network cables.

A whole range of connectors can also be specified including screened and unscreened RJ45 connectors, Neutrik Ethercon connector

UK - Two important sessions have been announced for this year's PLASA Rigging Conference, adding further weight to the event's standing within the rigging community. The new one-day format will host a discussion from Michael Anderson about the revised CDM Regulations and an update on the International Code of Practice for Entertainment Rigging (ICoPER) led by Lori Rubinstein.

The PLASA Rigging Conference 2014 takes place on Monday 6 October 2014 at ExCeL London. For the first time, the whole event will be packed into a one-day schedule, meaning delegates can attend the full conference at a reduced cost.

PLASA's director of international programmes, Lori Rubinstein, will moderate the first session of the day, which will look at how the ICoPER has developed over the last 12-months. Prior to last year's conference, PLASA commissioned a review of the various codes of practice from

Spain - From 6-9 August people enjoyed an open-air summer cinema in 'Seagram's Gin Swim-In' with a giant floating screen in the marina at Alicante. The screen, assembled from Fenix truss by the renowned company Sonido e Iluminación Limón, measured 9.5m wide by 5.4m high and was collapsible, thanks to two winches which were incorporated into the structure. The screen rested on a 300sq.m floating platform over the Mediterranean Sea where 150 people enjoyed viewings of classics including Breakfast at Tiffany's, Vertigo, The Philadelphia Story and The Apartment. After the films, audiences enjoyed catering and gin and tonics - Seagram's Gin and Markham tonic - accompanied by live music.

Sonido e Iluminación Limón and Fenix have a long career working together on different projects for various events. Based in La Nucia (Alicante), Sonido e Iluminación Limón speciali

UK - ACC Liverpool has welcomed five new starters to its production and technical department, taking the team to 19.

Rich Neale has joined as production manager for entertainment and sport. He joins from Saville Audio Visual where he was conference and live events manager for six years.

Tom Kaye has been recruited as senior rigging technician while Greg Chapman, Anthony Cowley and Mark Anderson join as production technicians. Their roles include preparing, installing, operating and dismantling of production equipment, from small conference breakouts to large scale arena set-ups, to ensure the smooth and effective delivery of events.

The department has provided a series of in-house productions for conferences this year such as NHS Confederation, the British Association of Urological Surgeons and Accelerate 2014. The National Cancer Research Institute in November is among fort

UK - Star Events Group and new parent company Altrad Beaver 84 have confirmed their official supplier status to AEG Live for the forthcoming Jaguar Land Rover Invictus Games closing concert at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Star Events and Beaver 84 will provide all the staging, seating, production and broadcast structures for the concert, as well as most of the fencing, barriers and ground protection. The structures will also be used for the opening ceremony.

Project director for AEG Live, Jim King, said, "It made a lot of sense to work with Star Events on these prestigious events, due to the close working relationship between our team and theirs, and also because of Star's extensive experience of working in the Olympic Park both during and after the London 2012 Games."

(Jim Evans)

USA - In order to keep the ETCP examinations fresh and current, the subject matter experts have written new questions for the Entertainment Electrician examination. ETCP is set to launch these questions 15 October 2014.

To gather the statistical data necessary to properly score the exam, it is essential that as many entertainment electricians as possible are tested from 15 October through15 December. To further this initiative, the test administration fee of $675 for groups of 10 or more will be waived during this time. Candidate application fees will still apply and score reports will be delayed. Having your candidates test between these dates is an enormous help to the growth of the programme.

ETCP will send a proctor to you, but space must be provided by your organization. You can find a list of testing requirements by < href="http://etcp.plasa.org/onsiteexams_2014EE_P

UK - Eve supplied more than 7,500 Trakway panels to the two V Festivals last weekend, together with a pedestrian footbridge, barriers, anti-climb fence panels and other kit.

At Hylands Park, Chelmsford, Eve put 750 hybrid box panels together for the biggest pad it's built, under the Virgin Media Stage platform, and used a new clamp attachment to drop Trakway into place for the MTV Stage, slashing the installation time.

Festival manager, Simon Forshaw, comments, "Eve gets the job done with a remarkable amount of pace and it's very accommodating in terms of last minute changes to configurations. which is essential on a festival site."

Numbers were marginally down at Hylands Park, but headliner Justin Timberlake's set won acclaim at both sites, as did The Killers and a support cast including Ed Sheeran, Paulo Nutini, Lily Allen and Example.

(Jim Evans)

Canada - Show Distribution, a company specializing in the sale and rental of staging equipment and electric hoists, has appointed Bernard Thériault, formerly from Arcofab, as senior consultant for the company. Thériault will bring his vast experience in the fabrication and distribution of aluminium trusses to expand an already full line of staging equipment offered by Show Distribution, says the company.

A former lighting designer, Thériault established Arcofab in 1993, a company known for its quality and service in the manufacturing of trusses and aluminium structures, which closed down last year after 20 years in the business.

The arrival of Thériault reflects Show Distribution's will to introduce high quality trussing products adapted to the North American market. "Bernard is very passionate about his work and will steer Show Distribution to

UK - Lighting and rigging specialists Utopium creatively transformed Village Underground to host the Superstar DJ's with Annie Mac wrap party presented by Ford Ecosport.

As sponsors of the Channel 4 documentary presented by Annie Mac, Ford invited industry guests to the wrap party held in the heart of trendy Shoreditch. Contracted by the event organisers, Live Nation Experiential, Utopium's project manager Angus Chinn and his team supplied all lighting, rigging and production services to the event.

The cultural space housed in a renovated turn-of-the-century warehouse, Village Underground, is essentially a blank canvas. Utopium transformed the venue with a versatile lighting package that accommodated both the brand aspirations of Ford, and the significant production elements for live DJ sets from DJ's Pete Tong and Annie Mac.

Liaising with production manager Phil Beav

Canada - Vancouver-based Parasol Systems has developed intelligent, self-propelling, and wirelessly controlled vehicles that travel along pre-determined guide ways. Basically, the Parasol Systems technology moves already moving lights.

This innovation means that lighting designers will be able to bring you more dynamic, unique, and utterly mind-blowing visual effects at concerts, clubs, professional sport arenas, parties, and more because they will no longer be restricted to light sources that stem from one static point, says the company.

Hermann Fruhm, the inventor and co-founder of Parasol Systems says: "This technology will revolutionize the lighting industry. Parasol has literally added a new dimension to the lighting business that we now call the 'Z-axis'. The 'Z-axis' is a patented technology that allows lighting designers to move the lighting fixtures themselves.&q

Czech Republic - Milos Group has added Marc Hendriks to their experienced team of professionals. Marc is a well-respected expert who has enjoyed a long and successful history within the truss and support structure industry. His wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience is well-known by his peers and appreciated by countless customers across the globe. The introduction of Marc to the Milos Group team will strengthen all brands of the group and offer value added to theirworldwide customer base, says the company.

Marc will drive the tasks of ensuring efficient product development and effectively managing the product portfolio across all three brands . This includes ensuring that product lines from each brand effectively meet the needs of their customer base across all global markets. He will work closely with all Milos Group partners f or the development and execution of special

UK - A large sports and entertainment centre situated in Titanic Quarter and the Waterfront in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the Odyssey Arena plays host to all manner of events, from major rock and pop tours to theatrical productions, conferences, sporting events and exhibitions.

Despite attracting top calibre artists and events, Brian Campbell, event services manager at the Odyssey Arena said, "The venue, which opened in 2001, is always looking at ways to evolve and to keep up with the demands of the events industry. We wanted to make ourselves more flexible, with smaller half hall formats and theatre formats, so we sought the help of the professionals and called in Unusual Rigging."

Working alongside drape company Acre Jean, the Unusual team, headed by Robin Elias, put together a spec for the installation of runner beams in the venue which could cope with the span be

UK - In light of demand from the industry, PLASA is developing a scheme for Trainee Riggers, for launch later this year.

The success of the PLASA National Rigging Certificate has increased the number of qualified riggers in the industry. Freelancers who wish to take the PLASA National Rigging Certificate at Level 2 have found it difficult to gain enough experience to get to the point where they are ready to be assessed because many venues won't allow them to work unless qualified.

The Trainee Rigger Scheme has been created as a result of demand from rigging companies, the Riggers Forum, venues, seminars and individual riggers who felt that extra help was needed to prepare new entrants to the industry to gain the levels of experience in order to register and achieve the National Rigging Certificate Level 2.

PLASA, are therefore developing a way in which those who wish to purs

USA - Eilon Engineering has announced the launch of the Ron StageMaster (RSM) 6000 G4 Wireless and Wired Shackle Pin load cell for load monitoring and overload prevention. The advanced load cell features a new shackle pin design that makes it ideal for applications where headroom is extremely limited while its wireless capability makes for a quicker installation.

The RSM 6000 G4 Shackle Pin load cell includes a 5/8" standard shackle enabling an extremely low headroom loss of only 2.4 inches (61mm), especially important in indoor applications where ceiling height is often an issue. Made of aerospace quality, high-strength alloy steel, the RSM 6000 G4 Shackle Pin load cell, like all Eilon Engineering load cells, is fatigue rated to withstand unlimited load cycles without the risk of failure or damage to the steel.

The RSM system features continuous monitoring up to 5000 hou

USA - If you have been thinking about testing to become ETCP certified, now is the time to apply, as fees will increase $50 per exam on January 1, 2015. There are over 1,600 ETCP Certified Technicians in North America, don't get left behind. You have up to one year from your acceptance date to take your examination, so sign up today to save.

ETCP Certification is a fundamental aide to employers who are looking for qualified technicians for lead positions. It guarantees a reliable level of expertise and skills because the exams are specific to this industry and a fair assessment of your knowledge.

There are a few ways you can be tested to receive certification. All three exams are available for computer based-testing and a candidate can make arrangements to take the exam at one of 190 testing centres around the U.S and in Canada. ETCP will be offering all three examinations in

UK - Envy Productions, organisers of Norfolk's Sundown Festival and inaugural Reload Festival, appointed Mojo Barriers to supply the stage barriers for both events, ensuring the safety of the crowds across two weekends.

Held at Norfolk Showground, Sundown Festival lived up to its name and kept the rain at bay, with the 54,000 capacity crowd enjoying pop and dance acts Katy B, Tinie Tempah, Chase and Status, Clean Bandit and Ellie Goulding.

The following weekend, 5-7 September, saw the first ever Reload festival which bought classic soul to the streets of Norfolk with Kool & the Gang, Billy Ocean and Sister Sledge taking to the stage. With thousands of people in attendance the event used much of the same infrastructure as Sundown festival, including the same main stage and stage barrier layout.

Kevin Thorborn, general manager Mojo Barriers UK, said, "These two events att

UK - Bookings for PLASA Rigging Conference, running at ExCeL London, are up by fifty percent compared to this time last year, providing a clear indication that the new, one-day format is proving popular with the rigging community. The news comes as the conference announces two important additions to its programme - Matthias Müller's Raising Your Game and The Piece Rather than the Rigging presented by Alan Bartlett.

Raising Your Game will consider the role of the chain hoist as the industry's workhorse and address questions that are often overlooked when making an appropriate choice for a given task. Hoists are an integral part of almost every show or event these days, which makes these decisions more relevant than ever. The session's presenter, Matthias Müller, will look at why specification should be an informed and holistic choice, rather than simply bei

UK - On behalf of Glastonbury Festivals Ltd, the event production services company was responsible for overseeing all production aspects. A local crowd of over 5,000 enjoyed a stellar line up, as headliners the Foals were supported by Ella Eyre, and local up-and-coming band Fast Decline.

Introduced by Michael Eavis, the event serves as a thank you to Pilton village that lives with the disruption the main festival can bring, with all money raised given in grants to different local organisations.

Managing director of EnTEEtainment Ltd, Dick Tee said, "With the likes of Kasabian headlining in 2005 when it was held at the village hall playing fields, the popularity of the event quickly outgrew its former site, and moved to Worthy Farm in 2007. Drawing on our depth of knowledge of the site and long standing relationship with Glastonbury Festivals, we were brought in to provide

UK - Star Events Group supplied stage, rigging, grandstand, ancillary structures and miles of fencing and barriers to AEG Live's Invictus Games' Closing Concert, a first big event for the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park's south lawn.

Headlined by Foo Fighters in front of a 26,000-strong crowd, and broadcast by the BBC, the concert crowned a phenomenal four days of sport for injured servicemen and women, motivated by Prince Harry.

As Official Supplier to AEG Live, together with parent company Beaver 84, Star Events provided for Unspun's Opening Ceremony before adapting the kit to accommodate Foo Fighters and nine other Closing Concert acts, together with a succession of medal presentations.

Star Events clad the grandstand, stage right, with vinyl-wrapped solid panels from its Vista range, combining the requirement for a clean, corporate finish with the need to prevent any access

Denmark - Located on the waterfront of Aalborg and with a panoramic view of the Liim Fiord, you will find Musikkens Hus (House of Music) - the new musical gathering point of Northern Denmark and an architectural gem, designed by the internationally acknowledged architectural firm Coop Himmelb(l)au.

Nordic systems integrator Exton was awarded the tender for sound and communications. The project required over 20 kilometres of premier quality audio and video cables which was supplied by London cable specialists VDC Trading.

Exton's veteran project manager, Gunnar Gunnarsson, opted to work with VDC Trading given their dedication to quality, reliable logistics and excellent service. For all the audio and video applications, Exton used a variety of Van Damme cable including Purple, Brown and Black series.

VDC Trading chairman Niall Holden commented, "Once more it was a pleasu

UK - Utopium combined creativity and logistical expertise to create a stunning brand environment for Fat Face's Brand Camp.

Fat Face held an immersive three day event for 300 directors and managers, combining daytime team building activities and evening conference and social events, including dinners, DJ's and a live band. They selected a remote farm near Scafell Pike in the Lake District to host the event.

Tents was contracted to provide the venue using one of their temporary S 5000 Duo span structures. Their MD, Steve Haderell, recommended Utopium to fulfil the technical event production. Discussions opened with Utopium's Colin Bodenham exploring the scope of the project with Fat Face's shoots and event production brand experience manager, Ian Williams.

This led to Utopium being entrusted to deliver site lighting, generators power and distro, along with a precise logistics

UK - The fifth annual PLASA Riggers' Forum will be held on Sunday 5 October 2014 from 2pm - 5pm in the North Hall Gallery rooms at ExCeL London, setting the scene for the PLASA Rigging Conference, which takes place on the following day. With drinks, refreshments and lively debate on offer, the forum provides an opportunity for members of the rigging community to meet in an informal environment and discuss issues that affect their everyday working lives.

This year's Riggers' Forum will focus on a subject that has implications for everyone connected to the rigging industry - training. It's been widely recognised that training is a fundamental pillar of the industry, especially now the National Rigging Certificate is established. Routes to assessment are being developed, alongside courses that augment learning on the job, refresher training and product specific training for new sta

UK - Serious Stages closed a busy 2014 festival season supplying stages and site structures to the inaugural On Blackheath festival, 13-14 September, 2014.

On Blackheath announced its arrival on the UK festival map this September with a colourful weekend site combining musical headliners Massive Attack, Frank Turner and Grace Jones, with culinary delights including Gizzi Erskine's Chef's Club and a mixture of family entertainment.

Promoter Harvey Goldsmith steered the content and managed the launch, with long term production director Jim Baggott managing the technical elements of the festival.

Baggott stated, "We wanted a stage that was versatile, that could be built very quickly in the three day window available to us. So we went to Serious Stages and decided on their 19m Supernova roof as the main stage. We've gone deeper than you'd expect for an audience of 15,000, m

USA - The Tobin Centre for the Performing Arts, which opened on 5 September in San Antonio, will provide the community with a permanent world-class live entertainment venue.

The Tobin Centre repurposes the city's existing Municipal Auditorium, built in 1926, and includes the 1,759-seat H-E-B Performance Hall, the 250-seat Carlos Alvarez Studio Theatre for smaller productions, rehearsals and community use, plus an outdoor performance plaza. The façade of the original building has been retained, but behind the scenes the Hall takes advantage of 21st century technology.

The Tobin Centre's technical director Stefan DeWilde's designs for the new venue included a stage lift for the H-E-B Performance Hall, to be utilized for performer entrances and exits, reveals and scene changes. The lift will also be used for lifting grand pianos from their sub-stage storage, for resident and gue

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