Business

Details
USA - The 2020 New World Rigging Symposium will take place 31 March - 1 April in Houston, Texas, in conjunction with the USITT Conference and Stage Expo.
The event provides an opportunity to learn from those at the top of their field, to network with their peers, and discuss current issues and new technologies. A complete schedule, session descriptions and a link to register are available at www.esta.org/nwrs.
Jeanette Farmer kicks off the symposium with the keynote address. Her career spans more than three decades of professional theatre technical support, show production, concert/theatre lighting design, theatre design consulting and themed entertainment project management. She will be followed by a session on video wall rigging, featuring three speakers with extensive experience in this area: Joe Clayton of Stage Rigging, Tony Galuppi of PRG, and Stefan Pries of Cre

Details
UK - TMB has been appointed as the exclusive distributor for CLF Lighting for the UK and Ireland.
TMB already has experience with CLF products as it offers the lighting brand Nuri*Lites by CLF in the US. Now, TMB UK will offer a broader range of CLF products under the banner Nuri*Lites by CLF. These will include LED fixtures, moving heads, and the Spectrum series.
“We are extremely happy to offer CLF’s wide product range to our customers in the UK and Ireland,” comments TMB’s EU sales manager, Tim Obermann. “Nuri*Lites by CLF represents a new range of LED PARs, bars, wall washers, special effects lights, and moving heads, all of which complement our current product line-up. Customers will certainly benefit from this expanded product selection for many applications and every budget.”
TMB’s Lauren Drinkwater and Nuri Waheishi agree. “We can’t wai

Details
Switzerland - Prolyte has appointed DJP Diffusion as its official distributor in Switzerland. DJP Diffusion becomes a Prolyte distributor after joining forces with Prolyte's most experienced ambassador, Rose Oberer.
"Together we will keep Prolyte as the number one in Switzerland. In Prolyte you can trust” said Oberer.
Oberer has more than 25 years of partnership with Prolyte and the Swiss market. "No matter what happens, Prolyte is the standard in quality and safety. After more than 25 years of collaboration, I know what I am talking about," she adds.
"We are so proud and glad we can continue with the experiences and energy of Madame Oberer, who is known as the best in the Swiss Market," says Bruno Lerminiaux.
DJP Diffusion will primarily focus on the venue, theatre installations and the rental fleet business.
(Jim Evans)

Details
Europe - Next Truss has appointed AED Group as its European master distributor for the complete product range.
The AED Group will make the complete Next trussing and staging catalogue available at competitive pricing and with optimal stock levels. A professional discount structure aligned with AED Group’s rental department “will benefit every professional customer”. Besides the popular 30cm and 40cm truss ranges, Next will also offer ladder, rectangular (36/100) and 52cm square truss, ground supports, towers and stage decks.
Glenn Roggeman, CEO of AED Group, comments: “For nearly 30 years we’ve set the industry standards with a leading brand in a loyal relationship. Despite this, recent events have resulted in an uncertain situation, without guarantees for the future vision, organisational structure, distribution policy, production capacity and delivery term

Details
UK - After enjoying an informal relationship with Backstage Academy stretching back many years, Manchester-based STS Touring Productions has now put the relationship on a formal basis.
The Academy’s industry partnerships director, Miles Marsden, confirms that the rental company has been supplying a vast range of equipment, including Litedeck staging, PA, lighting and backline as required, virtually since the Academy set out its stall a decade ago. “But my relationship with [director] Pete Dutton goes back to the late ‘80s,” he adds. “They are an established supplier and we are delighted that they have now signed a partnership agreement.
“This provides them with the potential to give masterclasses, which we would welcome, leading to work experience and employment opportunities. In fact a lot of our industry partners are looking at career potential.”

Details
Stage Awards Winners - Sheffield Theatres, ATG Productions and an initiative to diversify theatre boards are among the winners of The Stage Awards 2020.
Winning two categories, Sheffield Theatres was presented with the regional theatre of the year award and the first ever achievement in technical theatre award for its production of Life of Pi.
ATG Productions won producer of the year, praised for its Pinter at the Pinter season and the Ian McKellen On Stage tour, while the innovation award went to Artistic Directors of the Future for its campaign to diversify the theatre industry’s boardrooms.
London theatre of the year was awarded to Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, which underwent a £1m refurbishment to make the venue more accessible while producing 14 shows across 2019, and London’s Bunker Theatre won fringe theatre of the year in recogn

Details
China/The Netherlands - In response to the current Coronavirus outbreak in China, ROE Visual has decided to take only its international teams to the ISE exhibition in Amsterdam and leave the team located at its headquarters in Shenzhen at home.
“There is no doubt that both the RAI and the ISE trade show organisation take all the necessary precautions to ensure that the trade show visit is safe for visitors, but part of that safety is in our own hands and we felt that we as a company should show our common responsibility and contribute in our own way,” states Jason Lu, general manager for ROE Visual.
“That is why we have decided to cancel the visit to ISE for all our Chinese-based staff. This was not an easy decision, but it’s made out of respect and care to all our visitors, clients and the overseas colleagues. We send our best wishes to everybody. Be safe and

Details
Australia - Moorebank-based production services company The Audio Visual Co has recently invested in L-Acoustics A Series.
Established just three years ago, The Audio Visual Co works across the corporate, outdoor and entertainment events segments and supplies audio, visual and lighting equipment from key brands. From the outset, the company’s director Jimmy Bandal made L-Acoustics his loudspeaker brand of choice, with the A Series recently presenting itself as the appropriate solution to accommodate his fast-growing business.
“Our main applications are corporate events such as galas, awards nights and product launches, as well as broadcast and concert touring,” says Bandal. “Although we only started a couple of years ago, the company is growing rapidly. At the outset, L-Acoustics captured my attention as I found the sound signature of the cabinets very pleasing

Details
Europe - The Eurotruss Group has launched NEXT Truss, a new company that will operate under the group’s umbrella.
NEXT Truss already offers a variety of truss systems and decks. In addition to the 30 and 40 multi-purpose truss systems, there are rectangular 36cm and 100cm heavy/ pre-rig trusses, plus a 52cm square truss. Also available are ground support towers and Stage Deck series with accessories.
Ralph Stockley, who leads the new operation, comments: “NEXT Truss allows entertainment industry professionals to have access to purchase truss the way, they want it. I am 100% sure immediate availability and a market-compliant price will ensure that the entertainment industry will benefit from our arrival. The professionalism, high quality standard and dynamic customer approach as known within the Eurotruss Group will be carried throughout NEXT and gives it the foun

Details
UK - US AVoIP solutions manufacturer Aurora Multimedia has appointed CUK Audio as its exclusive distributor for the UK and Ireland.
“Aurora Multimedia is a true innovator in the AV industry and the number of firsts they have to their name is truly impressive,” comments Stuart Thomson, managing director at CUK Audio. “The IPX line of SDVoE based 10G AVoIP transceivers are a great example of the innovation they bring to the market, incorporating advanced features such as reversable USB, copper and fibre connectivity, integrated ReAX control processor, eight-channel Dante, audio DSP and wallplate form factor.”
Simon Druce, CUK Audio sales director, adds: “Since my first contact with Paul Harris at Aurora Multimedia, I knew this was a company we had to work with. The culture of innovation Paul has fostered in the organisation is impressive and the products resu

Details
UK - Registration is now open for the 2020 PLASA Focus Leeds tradeshow, the popular trade event for live entertainment technology.
Returning to Leeds’ Royal Armouries on 12-13 May, the free-to-attend show not only offers a showcase of the very latest technology, it also serves as a vital meeting point for the industry, where lasting connections are made, says PLASA.
Spanning audio, AV, lighting, rigging and staging, 200+ brands will present their key products and solutions, including several debuts following major international launches.
Lighting manufacturers at the show will include Chauvet Professional, Elation Professional, GLP, Robe Lighting, and Vari-Lite & Strand, whilst featuring from the pro audio sector will be Bose, d&b a

Details
USA - Kinesys has relocated its US sales office, warehouse and training facility from Lithia Springs to TAIT’s HQ in Lititz.
The move completes Kinesys’ transition to the TAIT group of companies. The new address is: Kinesys USA c/o TAIT, 401 West Lincoln Ave.,Lititz, PA, 17543.
David Bond, Kinesys COO and head of sales, comments: “We’re very excited for our base of operations to be moving and after joining the TAIT family it just makes sense for us to take advantage of their enormous headquarters. Lititz has long been the very centre of entertainment technology in the US, and we cannot wait to be a part of it.”
The transition has been completed without any impact on any outstanding orders in the USA, Kinesys has said. The company’s email and phone details will remain the same, as will the shipping and ordering process, whilst goods will now be sold a

Details
UK - Technical event production company Sterling Event Group has announced a partnership agreement with multi-purpose Manchester venue, Victoria Warehouse.
As part of the supplier agreement, which commences today (31January), Sterling Event Group will be the venue’s preferred technical production supplier and provide exclusive in-house rigging services for corporate clients across the venue’s wide array of unique spaces.
Richard Bowden, MD of Sterling Event Group, comments: “We are really excited to be back working with the team at Victoria Warehouse, a venue with their strap line ‘We are what you make us’, which for our projects team opens up a world of options for creativity.”
James Cohen, MD of Victoria Warehouse, adds: “We are thrilled to be partnering again with Sterling Event Group for production and rigging, their team have a genuine passi

Details
USA - The 2019 recipients of the annual Above & Beyond Awards were announced by the ESTA Technical Standards Programme (TSP) at the 2020 NAMM Show.
The awards celebrate volunteers, who have made a significant contribution or effort that advances the TSP, and are held in high esteem because the nominations are made by peers in the Programme.
The 2019 winners are . . .
Joseph Jeremy (Stage Machinery Working Group) as co-chair of the Stage Machinery Working Group, Joseph was cited for having been the principal author of the controls section of ANSI E1.42 - Entertainment Technology - Design, Installation, and Use of Orchestra Pit Lifts as well as significant contributions to a new standard currently in development - BSR E1.64 - Stage Machinery Motion Control
Chris Schmidt (Event Safety Working Group) was lauded for having kept the Event Safet

Details
UK - On 23-24 January, Fineline Lighting hosted students from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School for a set of Introduction to Rigging Training courses at the company’s Clevedon warehouse.
The training is held annually for students at the school and provides an insight into the world of rigging and technical event production.
Rob Sangwell, director at Fineline Lighting, comments: “It was fantastic hosting the students from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, they all worked hard and learnt a lot. It’s always great to see new generations of technical production professionals expanding their skillset.”
“All the feedback from the students about the training was positive,” adds Bristol Old Vic Theatre School Tutor Frank Bradley. “They really enjoyed the sessions and felt they had learned a basic knowledge of rigging truss which would give them c

Details
Canada - Symetrix has announced the appointment of Quebec-based AVL Media Group as its sole distributor in Canada.
AVL Media Group caters to the live performance, broadcast, and AV integration markets across the country.
“Canadian customers look for high-value, high-quality products that offer long-term reliability and clear value,” comments AVL Media Group managing director Andrew Hope. “The combination of AVL Media Group’s strong national presence for sales, support, and service and Symetrix’s established reputation for high quality reliable and scalable DSP solutions is going to be a huge success.”
“AVL Media Group has a great team in place who are enthusiastic about Symetrix,” says Ty Robinson, Symetrix international & sales operations manager. “We are really looking forward to our partnership with AVL Media and seeing how far they ca

Details
UK - Audiologic has been awarded exclusive rights to distribute QSC live sound products in the UK.
Harlow-based Audiologic has been a QSC industry market partner since June 2018, distributing the QSC Systems portfolio as well as providing system design and validation services along with commissioning support, warranty services, and training.
Andy Lewis, Audiologic’s managing director, comments: “Over the past two years, we have demonstrated real in-market value for QSC with their systems portfolio. We now look forward to providing the same high levels of expert service and customer support with QSC live sound products, to create the exceptional user experience our end customers have come to expect.”
Duncan Savage, managing director, QSC UK & Ireland, adds: “As the QSC brand grows, our distribution model and go to market strategies must evolve. Audio

Details
UK - Apt-GB, the creators of the >teleprompter.video comfort monitor, has announced a major product giveaway running until 5pm on 28 February.
Apt-GB’s comfort monitors have travelled around the world with UB40 during their 40th Anniversary Tour. The band found them to be “an invaluable addition to their touring kit”.
Artist managements, tour mangers and hire companies with European or global tours with major artists during 2020 are invited to apply.
Says the company: “If you’ve seen or heard about >teleprompter.video and you’re intrigued, Apt-GB are giving your band the opportunity to take up to four comfort monitors on the road with them - they will even engrave your logo on the back!
“If that sounds like you, or just would like to know more, then please e-mail: Graham Gosden (graham.gosden@apt-gb.com) with your name and company

Details
South Africa - DWR Distribution is hosting a workshop with Roland Greil, lighting designer, director and programmer for artists such as Rammstein, The Rolling Stones, Phil Collins, Adele and Spandau Ballett.
The event takes place on 18 February at the Mosaïek Teatro in Fairlands, Johannesburg, with Greil sharing the stage with local lighting designer Joshua Cutts.
The workshop will concentrate on lighting design for concert touring. “We will look at a few recent and past projects with a particular emphasis on the Rammstein production which I have worked on since 2019. I look forward to sharing an insightful view of the creation process as well as efficiently getting from the first sketches to the final show.”
Duncan Riley of DWR Distribution comments: “This is a wonderful opportunity for South Africans to learn from one of the top lighting designers in t

Details
Europe - Area Four Industries Direct UK has issued a clarification statement in respect to the continuation of supply of Lightspace deck & truss products supplied via Impact Products (Europe) Ltd, who were placed into voluntary liquidation procedures at the end of last year.
“Contrary to recent reports, these products have not been discontinued,” says Area Four in a statement. “Milos, which is part of Area Four Industries, has exclusively manufactured Impact OEM brands Spacedeck and Lightspace for the past five years from their production facilities in the Czech Republic.
“Area Four Industries UK owns the rights to Spacedeck and Lightspace products and will continue to provide full sales and technical support from their design and distribution centre in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. All truss & staging stocks have now been transferred from Northampton to Wi

Details
Denmark - At the beginning of 2019, full-service Danish rental company Nordic Rentals experienced a growing demand from the concert touring and broadcast markets. As a result, the company opted to increase its mixing console inventory. Already a long-standing DiGiCo user having invested in the original D5 Live, D1 and, more recently, SD8s and SD9s, Nordic Rentals took the decision to add more of the manufacturer’s products to its stock.
“Our work in both touring and television has increased dramatically, but we were also seeing a growing demand from international artists doing fly-in shows on festivals in Denmark and Norway,” explains Martin Nørbæk, Nordic Rentals’ senior sales & project manager. “As we operate on an international level, and part of our strategic plan is to be the leader in our business in Denmark and Norway in regards to service, support an

Details
Council Strategy - Arts Council England has unveiled the strategy that will guide its work over the next decade, aiming to address what it says are “momentous” sector-wide challenges that include inequality of opportunity and a widespread lack of diversity. There is particular emphasis on communities and young people in the document, published this week, which lists the Arts Council’s priorities for its work and the organisations it will fund between now and 2030.
Entitled Let’s Create, its contents are broadly similar to the draft document published by the Arts Council last year. It is based around a vision that by 2030, England will be a country “transformed by its culture” and “in which the creativity of each of us is valued and given the chance to flourish”.
No Show - Madonna pulled out of the first London show of her Madame X tour, sp

Details
UK -There is limited time to secure your place at a free industry event dedicated to the changes to the off-payroll working rules (known as IR35).
Co-hosted by PLASA and the MIA, Get your business ready for IR35 is taking place this Thursday, 30 January, at the Victory Services Club in London.
The event is relevant to large business owners and freelancers / contractors alike and will see HR expert Nicky Gleadow (MD, The HR Point) explain how the changes to the IR35 legislation will impact employers and off-payroll workers. There will also be complimentary food alongside plenty of networking time with fellow professionals, says PLASA.
IR35 is a piece of UK government legislation that aims to determine whether a worker is an employee or an off-payroll contractor, ensurin

Details
UK - Sound Technology, the distributor of Martin by Harman in the UK, is holding a Martin ERA Performance showcase event at the Royal Opera House in London's Covent Garden on 17 February.
The event will run from 11am to 4pm and will see the complete ERA Performance range on demo.
Sound Technology has also announced the immediate shipping of the Martin ERA 400 Performance CLD. The ERA 400 is the first of the ERA Performance series, announced at LDI in November, to become available, with the remainder of range which consists of the warm white version of the ERA 400, the ERA 600 Performance and ERA 800 Performance - the brightest moving profile fixture in Martin's history - arriving in February.
The 10,000lm ERA 400 Performance CLD features a 300W 6,500K LED light engine, and in common with the entire ERA Performance range, has crisp optics with a flat field, CMY c
  1. DWR to host Green Hippo training
  2. LRLR raffle and the BTS Boutique at USITT
  3. ESTA announces Members Choice Awards
  4. Industry backs ALIA auction for FireAid
  5. CUK Audio acquires Tukans
  6. Illumination Dynamics relocates to support growth
Page 208 of 1813

Latest Issue. . .