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14 April 2025

USA - New York-based Group One Limited, the US distributor for a number of the pro audio and lighting industries’ best-known brands, reports that it has added Plus Four Marketing to its independent manufacturer’s representative network. Matt Larson, Group One vice-president, professional audio products, made the announcement at NAB 2025.

Headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, Plus Four Marketing is under the direction of principal Joe Mathews, son of the late James ‘Jimmy’ Mathews who founded the firm more than 40 years ago. Effective immediately, Plus Four has been retained by Group One to facilitate sales and support for the DiGiCo, Fourier Audio, KLANG, MC2, Sound Devices, and XTA lines throughout Northern California, Nevada (outside of Las Vegas), Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska.

“Plus Four is an exceptional second-ge

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14 April 2025

UK - Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has offered his support for Production Futures’ forthcoming On Tour event at the city’s AO Arena.

The free-of-charge event which takes place on 28 April is set to attract a wide range of young people from across the North West of England, and promotes employability, transferable skills, diversity, free training, networking, and paid work opportunities to newcomers across the live event and broadcast production industry.

This will be Production Futures’ second visit to the AO Arena following last year’s successful event which was attended by a host of world-leading manufacturers, supply and production companies, venues and distributors.

Andy Burnham, who also visited last year’s event, comments: “Greater Manchester has a proud history of creativity and innovation in live events an

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11 April 2025

UK - PLASA Focus Leeds returns to the Royal Armouries from 13-14 May 2025, with its highly anticipated seminar programme now live. Designed to reflect the current needs and future ambitions of the live entertainment technology sector, this year’s programme will explore critical topics across audio, sustainability, emerging professionals, and artificial intelligence.

Across the two-day show, visitors will gain insight from technical pioneers, creative leaders, and forward-thinking organisations. All sessions are free to attend and take place on Level 1 of the Royal Armouries on a first come, first served basis.

Audio innovation in focus 

The 2025 programme brings a strong emphasis on professional audio, with highlights including an exclusive audience with FOH sound engineer Robb Allan, whose work spans from Radiohead to Mas

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11 April 2025

UK - ISCVEx 2025, hosted at the historic Coombe Abbey Hotel in Coventry, is a gathering for professionals in the sound, communications and visual engineering industries. Organised annually by the Institute of Sound, Communications and Visual Engineers, the event welcomes both members and non-members to engage in a variety of enriching activities designed to foster professional growth, industry insights and networking opportunities.

Commencing on Tuesday, 25 March 2025, with the ISCVE Members’ Day and AGM, ISCVEx provides a key moment for the Institute to reflect on achievements and outline future goals. After a presentation by Andy Dockerty from Adlib on the future of the live events industries, attendees later joined a vibrant networking dinner, complete with live entertainment, offering a unique environment to build relationships and celebrate together.<

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11 April 2025

Europe/India - Sennheiser and Zoapi Innovations, an India-based provider of meeting room solutions, have joined forces to empower wireless collaboration. The partnership combines Zoapi’s meeting solutions with Sennheiser TeamConnect (TC) Bar Solutions to offer users dynamic control and performance in meeting and collaboration spaces.

Sennheiser’s TC Bars are designed to bring premium audio and dynamic video to small and mid-sized spaces. Available in two models – the TeamConnect Bar S (with four microphones and two speakers) and the TeamConnect Bar M (with six microphones and four speakers) – both devices offer plug-and-play USB connectivity and integrate seamlessly with Zoapi’s wireless conferencing solution.

The TC Bars offer flexible and scalable room setups with an onboard Dante port for extension mics and an option to add an external U

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11 April 2025

USA/Germany - PK Sound has activated German event technology specialist publitec as its newest certified sales partner. Under the agreement, the Dortmund-based firm will exclusively represent the entire portfolio of PK Sound’s robotic line source solutions and complementary technologies throughout Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

“We were extremely impressed with PK Sound’s demonstration at Integrated Systems Europe this year, and so was everyone else I spoke with about it,” says publitec business development manager Klaus Vennemann. “Not only are these incredible-sounding loudspeakers, but we were particularly excited by the patented Multi-Axis Robotics technology. This degree of soundfield control is unlike anything we’ve ever seen in the industry and will notably improve the audio experience for our customers’ venues and events.”

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11 April 2025

USA - R90 Lighting, one of the Pacific Northwest’s largest and most prominent lighting rental houses, recently received a delivery of Paragon LED profile fixtures just in time to deploy them on a private event with Gwen Stefani – one of the first major US shows to utilise Elation’s new flagship lighting fixture. 

“We didn’t have a single hiccup involving these lovely new lights,” said Joe Cole, owner of R90 Lighting, after the event. “Everything was great right out of the box, and the spares stayed in their cases. New products usually have some wrinkles to iron out, but these fixtures were dialled in from the start. We look forward to seeing these in action over the coming months on many shows.”   

The decision to expand R90’s inventory with 48 Paragon M fixtures is part of the company's commitment to offering the latest high-pe

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10 April 2025

UK - In a joint venture, Backup Tech, The Back Lounge and UK Live Event Freelancers Forum, are launching a series of three Financial Literacy workshops and resources around being financially informed for freelancers working in the live entertainment industry.

Presented on Zoom and hosted by The Back Lounge’s Suzi Green and Paul Jones from UK Live Event Freelancers Forum, along with invited guest speakers on specific topics, the three, one-hour workshops, each of which will be standalone, will work synergistically to inform those working for themselves as sole traders or small businesses.

The series aims to provide practical advice balanced with an exploration of the culture shift needed to plan effectively for long-term security and will include a Q&A at the end of each session. They will cover topics including paying tax in the most e

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10 April 2025

Sweden - Biamp has announced that it has transitioned to a dealer-direct model in Sweden, strengthening its ability to support customers and drive growth in the region.

With this transition, Biamp aims to enhance its sales, support, and product distribution capabilities, ensuring better service for its Swedish partners and customers. This shift allows Biamp to more directly engage with the market, providing more streamlined communication, increased access to Biamp expertise, and a higher level of service across all verticals, including corporate, hospitality, education, large venues, and more.

“Sweden is a key market for Biamp, and we are excited to take this next step in delivering even better service and support,” said Michael Jarl Christensen, general manager, Europe. “By transitioning to a direct-to-market model, we work more closely with o

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10 April 2025

Mexico - Gonher Group has become the exclusive distributor for HK Audio products in Mexico with immediate effect. The new distributor has experienced sales professionals for pro audio applications, along with extensive sales networks and an understanding of service within its Audyson and Gonher Pro divisions.

“We are delighted to add HK Audio’s impressive product range to our extensive portfolio,” said Jorge Gonzalez, director general of Gonher. “HK Audio already has a good presence in Mexico and we plan to take the brand to an even higher level. We feel that Gonher is best-placed to help drive uptake of the brand in the Mexican market and we look forward to introducing our clients to the sonic capabilities of this amazing brand.”

“Gonher's pro audio pedigree in Mexico is unequalled,” added Sean Martin, ISM Americas at HK Audio. “HK A

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08 April 2025

USA - Harman Professional Solutions has announced a major milestone in the success of the Martin MAC Viper XIP, celebrating the 10,000th fixture manufactured in its first 10 months. To mark the achievement, Martin has produced a one-of-a-kind MAC Viper XIP in the brand’s yellow colour, built as a commemorative piece honouring the milestone and the people behind its design and production.

With shipping that began in June 2024, the MAC Viper XIP quickly became a go-to solution for event production companies supporting music festivals, concert tours, television programmes, as well as installations in performing arts centres and theatres worldwide.

The 10,000th unit represents more than a sales milestone. It’s a testament to the engineering, design, and production excellence that is poised to define the moving head market for the next decade, just as

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08 April 2025

UK - Ambersphere Solutions has announced an exclusive distribution partnership with ROXX, the German lighting technology manufacturer.

Effective immediately, Ambersphere Solutions will serve as the sole UK distributor for ROXX products, offering full access to the brand’s innovative range of professional lighting fixtures. This includes their Cluster Series, LED solutions, and advanced IP-rated fixtures designed for both indoor and outdoor applications.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome ROXX to the Ambersphere portfolio,” says Lee House, managing director of Ambersphere Solutions. “ROXX products bring a fresh and exciting dimension to our offering – combining exceptional engineering with beautiful design and uncompromising performance. We believe their vision perfectly aligns with our commitment to delivering the best tools and support

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08 April 2025

China - Brompton Technology has announced that LED display manufacturer AOTO has joined its Panel Manufacturer Partner Programme as a gold partner.

With a proven track record of delivering premium LED displays tailored to diverse environments, AOTO’s entry into Brompton’s partner programme highlights its commitment to collaborating with global industry leaders to push the boundaries of what LED technology can achieve.

The partnership guarantees that AOTO’s LED solutions are fully optimised for use with Brompton’s Tessera LED video processing platform.

Brompton’s Panel Manufacturer Partnership Programme, launched in 2024, aims to foster long-term, strategic collaborations with LED panel manufacturers around the world. AOTO joins a growing network of trusted partners, including ROE Visual as the founding diamond partner, INFiLED and A

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08 April 2025

USA - PSNI Global Alliance is reinforcing its commitment to excellence in AV service and support with the launch of a new Quality Assurance Certification (QAC). This exclusive programme is designed to empower its network of certified solution providers (CSPs) with advanced quality assurance knowledge, ensuring standardized excellence across global AV projects.

Developed in collaboration with a committee of quality leaders from PSNI’s CSP companies worldwide and based on AQAV (Association for Quality in Audio-Visual Technology) AV9000 standard, the QAC merges industry-leading quality principles with real-world business applications. By leveraging core concepts from the AV9000 quality documentation process, the certification fosters a culture of continual improvement and technological precision.

Chris Miller, executive direct

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08 April 2025

Denmark - Lighting designer and programmer Nicklas Dam from Explosion Danmark Light and Sound APS, a rental and production company based in Dalmose, is an Avolites user and fan of the brand.

Explosion has also been a long-term investor in the UK-based lighting control manufacturer, and in 2022, purchased an Avolites D9 console – currently the largest in Avo’s ‘D’ series range of consoles – which was added to their existing inventory of Avolites consoles which includes Sapphire, Tiger Touch II, and Titan Mobile, making Explosion among the largest Avo rental houses in the country. The company was founded by Henrik Larsen in 1999.

Dam, who is a full-time employee at Explosion, has been using the D9 ever since the purchase in 2022 for multiple projects including numerous festivals and some high-profile sporting events, which are a core area of

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08 April 2025

Olivier Awards - Lesley Manville and John Lithgow were among the big winners at the Sunday's Olivier Awards. Lithgow won best actor for his portrayal of Roald Dahl in Giant. Manville was named best actress for her performance in the Greek tragedy Oedipus. Three shows were tied with the most wins at the ceremony – with Fiddler on the Roof, Giant and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button each winning three prizes.

The award for best lighting design went to Paule Constable and Ben Jacobs for Oliver! Nick Lidster won the best sound design award for Fiddler On The Roof.

Artistic Own Goal - Cameron Mackintosh, Lee Hall and Sam Grabiner were among stars condemning government proposals to allow tech giants to train on artists’ work by

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07 April 2025

France - Showlight 2025 (19-22 May 2025, Dijon) has produced a programme full of treats for its delegates with over 30 speakers lined up to bring their expertise to Dijon this May. Tickets are selling fast so don’t delay in securing yours today!

Here’s our latest offerings from the worlds of film, live events, large-scale art installations, site-specific puppetry and illuminated fashion design!

Roger Simonsz

Schrödinger’s Dimmer; controlling the uncontrollable

Award-winning lighting designer, cinematographer, writer and director, and fellow of Rose Bruford college, Roger Simonsz, will discuss how difficult it is to achieve the kind of slow lighting changes so easily performed in theatre within the film environment. Using examples from Engrenages/Spiral as well as the recent Piper his paper expl

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07 April 2025

Europe - The event industry is in a state of constant change. Sustainable concepts, immersive experiences and smart, flexible systems are becoming increasingly important and are shaping the development of modern event and entertainment formats. At the 30th anniversary of Prolight + Sound this week, more than 500 exhibitors and brands from 32 countries will present their latest solutions and provide fresh impetus for the future of the industry.

Visitors can expect a four-day trade fair experience with extensive educational and networking opportunities, product innovations, and new and expanded event highlights.

With the themes ProGreen, FutureScapes and MultiTech, Prolight + Sound 2025 is drawing attention to sustainable event solutions, immersive and AI-supported technologies, and flexible, networked concepts for event form

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07 April 2025

USA - LEA Professional has announced a new partnership with GPA, a global network of leading AV and technology service providers.

GPA brings together over 4,000 AV professionals from more than 50 countries, providing standardized, scalable, and consistent technology solutions for global organisations. Through this partnership, GPA’s integrators will have access to LEA Professional’s award-winning Network Connect series of amplifiers and the companion Dante Connect series, which feature Dante and AES67 connectivity. These series enable integrators to utilise cloud-based remote control, monitoring, notifications, and more from any internet-enabled device, allowing them to stay connected from anywhere in the world.

“LEA’s proven expertise in networked audio systems, their commitment to cloud-based innovation, proven customer service record, and

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07 April 2025

The Netherlands - PSRIG has announced the launch of PSRIG B.V., its new sales branch near Amsterdam.

“The Netherlands will play an important role in our company’s future growth. This new branch enables us to serve a highly strategic economic and geographic area while establishing a vital hub for more efficient logistics. We’re excited to bring our well-proven mechanical solutions and industry know-how closer to our customers, reinforcing our commitment to delivering top-tier service and hands-on technical expertise to help our clients achieve their ambitious goals,” says Aart Gigengack, CEO and co-founder of PSRIG.

Under the leadership of managing director Marc Lubberts, the Amsterdam adjacent office will serve as a central hub for local client activities. In addition to office and warehouse spaces, the company is developing a dedicated showr

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04 April 2025

Poland - Ayrton has announced the appointment of Teatr as the exclusive distributor for its products in the Polish market, with effect from 1 April 2025.

This new partnership marks a milestone for both companies. With nearly two decades of collaboration, Ayrton’s Matt Hallard and Teatr’s Michał Frackowiak, Marek Gumiński and Krzysztof Klak have built a strong and lasting friendship, and this next chapter is a natural evolution of that longstanding connection.

Founded in 1971 by engineer Mr. Jerzy Gumiński, Przedsiebiorstwo Specjalistyczne Teatr is a leading Polish company specialising in the provision of stage technology and the installation of stage lighting systems, trapdoors, trussing, lighting bridges, electroacoustic devices and stage control systems.

Its experienced team of designers, consultants and technicians apply modern tech

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04 April 2025

Switzerland - Elation has announced that Theatre Lighting has been appointed the new distributor for Elation products in Switzerland, effective 1 May 2025. The partnership also encompasses products in Elation’s Magmatic line of atmospheric effects.

While the official start date for the distributorship is set for 1 May, the Theatre Lighting team is already stepping in to support customers throughout April. This early involvement – despite some final preparations for the distribution takeover still being underway – reflects their strong commitment and flexibility. As with any transition, there may be minor initial challenges, but the proactive approach ensures that customer needs remain the top priority from day one.

Theatre Lighting was founded almost 40 years ago in Zurich for the distribution of professional equipment for the theatre and event

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04 April 2025

Turkey - The Adam Hall Group is further expanding its international distribution network. Istanbul-based Prosistem Elektronik is now the new distribution partner for the LD Systems, Gravity, Palmer, and Defender brands in Turkey.

Over the past 25 years, Prosistem Elektronik, which was founded in 2000, has developed into one of the leading distribution companies for professional audio, lighting, and video technology in Turkey. Aside from its large dealer network, Prosistem Elektronik – in close cooperation with its dealers – attaches great importance to providing first-class service to offer customers and users crucial added value and to further consolidate its position as a leading distributor on the Turkish market.

“We are delighted to represent another key player on the international event technology market with the Adam Hall Group,” commen

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04 April 2025

Asia-Pacific - Fulcrum Acoustic has announced a new international distribution partnership with Universal Procurement Systems (UPS). With an expanding presence in professional audio, UPS will distribute Fulcrum Acoustic products across Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Samoa, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.

UPS has a proven history of developing professional AV brands throughout the Asia-Pacific region. By representing complementary product lines and leveraging deep industry expertise, UPS will help strengthen Fulcrum Acoustic’s footprint across the area.

“We see tremendous potential for professional audio solutions in this part of the world,” said Val Gilbert, director of international sales at Fulcrum Acoustic. “As we gain traction, having the right partner is crucial. UPS aligns with o