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UK - PLASA has launched the National Lifting Event Training (NELT), a training programme for production technicians who use lifting equipment during event production.
Designed in conjunction with the Live Event Production Group with the aim of improving safe working practices of lifting operations, NELT is currently available at UK Rigging in Bolton and Production Services (PSI) in Northern Ireland, with more approved centres expected to offer the programme in 2020.
Nicky Greet, PLASA’s director of membership, skills & technical, comments: “PLASA is pleased to offer this national training for production technicians that has been developed in collaboration with industry professionals on PLASA’s Live Event Production group. The aim of NELT is to standardise good practice and knowledge, making work environments safer and more efficient for all those involved.

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UK - The team behind the immersive installation Blackout are calling for more participants to join its industry research into mental health.
The research, which was initiated during the PLASA Show, is seeking to provide the first evaluation on mental health awareness within the UK technical backstage entertainment industry.
To collect the required research data, Dr Paul Hanna, research director in clinical psychology at the University of Surrey, has devised a short (5-10 minutes) questionnaire. The results of the study will then be used in panel discussions, conferences and health and safety reviews with industry organisations to promote a discussion on industry issues such as working hours, overnight shift work and touring shift patterns.
Mig Burgess, Guildford School of Acting tutor and creator of the Blackout immersive event, says: “This is an extremely impo

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Poland - Warsaw-based AVI Media has been appointed to distribute DAS Audio’s professional audio products in Poland.
AVI Media’s Michal Zelman comments: “During my time working in the PA/AV market I was involved in projects and events with DAS Audio products and I always had a very good impression of their performance and reliability. My goal now is to expand this brand’s excellent reputation throughout Poland and participate in larger projects with AV integrators, designers and sound engineers, providing the best customer service.”
Ignacio Chuliá, executive sales representative for DAS Audio in Europe, adds: “AVI Media is the perfect partner for the Polish market. DAS Audio has been working with Michal for quite some time and we look forward to sharing this new project with him.
“We are positive that our cooperation with Michal will consolidate our

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Germany - Over 250 guests were in attendance throughout the nine-day Ambion Digital Jungle open-house event. Attendees enjoyed an hour-long sensory journey of innovative installations focused on tracking, immersive interactivity, sensor technology, realtime control and reactive, generative content using BlackTrax, disguise and Notch.
Ambion is a full-service provider that plans and produces technology for concerts, sports events, trade shows and congresses around the globe.
The company recently held open house days where they invited selected clients, partners, innovation agencies and event planners to attend. The Digital Jungle demonstrations focused on technology and its application in a live event scenario.
OBJ.Studio the Ambion design department has been trying some interesting light and media tech projects in Berlin. The last one was a smart

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UK - Industry electrical expert and LSi columnist James Eade has announced the October dates for his recently-launched accredited training programme, BS 7909 Temporary Power for the Events Industry.
The course has been fully updated to align it with current industry guidance and standards. It is the only course James Eade is associated with and not offered by any other provider.
BS 7909 is taking place across three days on 21-23 October at the Whatlington Village Hall, East Sussex TN33 0NE. There are still a couple of spaces left to book for this sesion, with further events scheduled by the end of the year - more details are available on  www.eade.uk.com/training.
Pearce Hire is also hosting a series of standards update courses at its HQ in Peterborough. This course is an acc

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UAE - SSL has appointed Provision AVL as its live sound product distributor in the UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.
Formed in 2014, Provision AVL have grown their reputation as a leading sales and distribution company in the Middle East, representing premium brands including Prolyte Group, Chauvet Lighting, Clair Brothers Audio Systems, Admiral Staging, and Le Maitre.
Provision AVL’s MD, Kevin Boujikian comments: “Back in my college days, the first and foremost audio console brand discussed around our Audio Engineering classes was Solid State Logic. Twelve years on, it was vital for us at Provision AVL to add a leading audio console brand alongside the exciting portfolio of lighting, staging and trussing products we already represent - hence the simple decision to go with Solid State Logic. The Live series compliments what we already offer in terms of audio sy

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Europe - German-based rigging company Litecom, which has its roots in Denmark, has invested in the new Dynamic Stack Track System (DST) from Italian chain hoist manufacturer EXE Technology. DST is a traverse system with integrated rails to move, lift and rotate any object.
"Scenic movement will certainly be the future of upcoming tour productions. With the DST (Dynamic Stack Track) system, we invested in a scalable system solution that gives us the opportunity to best meet the growing demands of everyday touring. The comprehensive DST product portfolio offers many possibilities for scenic movement. I have been on the lookout for a finished system solution for some time and have now found one that convinced me immediately," says Litecom CEO Mathias Sonntag.
The black powder-coated DST52 system, which rides on dollies with master, slave and cable trolleys, is stocked in

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France - GB4D-Gilles Bouvard has received BroaMan’s Best BroaMan Distributor award for 2018.
The Chambéry-based company specialises in the delivery of some of the most challenging integrated technology projects across the world - find out about its work on the recent Fête du Lac d’Annecy in LSi October 2019. GB4D has also introduced BroaMan’s application engineered solutions to its many customers at at leading French tradeshows SATIS and JTSE.
BroaMan MD Tine Helmle comments: “GB4D sold the most BroaMan equipment during the year, and among their many projects the two that stand out are the major exhibition and congress centres in Bordeaux and Toulouse.”
“We have been working with Gilles and Diane Hivert, who handles the distribution, for many years, and have enjoyed great cooperation and an enduring friendship,” continues Helmle.

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UK - Wire and fibre rope assemblies supplier Rope Assemblies is celebrating two years since Linda Martin became company MD. The Retford-based organisation, which became part of the Unusual group in 2017, has experienced significant change, with the implementation of new company policies, best practice procedures and increased sales.
"In the blink of an eye, two years have passed, which seems like no time at all,” comments Martin. “Then we took a step back and realised how much the company has changed in that time, thanks to all the hard work that every member of the team has put in, and we felt it was worth marking the anniversary."
The biggest cause for celebration is the record sales figures that Rope Assemblies is achieving on a month on month basis. "If we look at January 2017, for example and compare that with January 2018 and January 2019, we are seeing a mar

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The Netherlands - Lichtwerk (Light works) is a Netherlands-based technical production company which works closely with a wide selection of lighting and visual designers, particularly for theatre shows, tours and corporate events. The company recently invested in Robe’s fantastic T1 Profile LED moving light, which is designed for theatre, touring and TV.
Jacco Pattist founded the company in 1995, and his association with Robe goes back to the very early days when the Czech manufacturer was still an OEM supplier. Once Robe was launched in 2002, Lichtwerk was an early adopter of the brand, a trend that continued through the ColorWash 250 series, then the ColorWash 750 and ColorSpot 700 series, the DT 3000 and 7000, and more recently with LEDBeam 300s MMX Spots / WashBeams and LEDBeam 150s. The latest T1s were purchased because, collectively as a company, “We love tungsten!” decl

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Australia - LED displays manufacturer Absen has welcomed Audio Visual Distributors (AVD) into its Value Added Distributor (VAD) network.
Effective 18 September, AVD promotes Absen LED products across the Australasian region, provides training for local end users, and exhibits Absen products at relevant trade fairs and roadshows.
“We pay particular attention to strategically aligning ourselves with quality manufacturers who deliver innovative, market-leading products,” comments Blair Terrace, business development - LED displays at AVD. “We believe that the quality range of products from Absen is well suited to the vertical markets we support. The continual R&D and technical innovation of Absen’s LED ensures that our customer base is exposed to a constant stream of fresh and exciting products.”
AVD’s sales and technical team is made up of a diverse

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Finland - Audac has announced a partnership with Electro Waves as the new exclusive distributor of their audio solutions in Finland. Electro Waves is a family-owned business that represents the newest technology and the company will manage the sales, distribution and service of the complete Audac product line from their offices in Espoo.
Miko Nurkki, Electro Waves CEO, comments: “By adding the complete Audac line to our portfolio, we are now able to provide a more extensive range of services to meet the needs and requirements of our partners. We were impressed by the range and scope of their services, not to mention the quality of the Audac products. So we’re excited to enter this partnership.”
Mark Asselberghs, Audac’s international sales director, adds: “We are delighted to be partnering with Electro Waves for the distribution of our complete product rang

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UK - Netgear has announced the introduction of a new engineering support centre for professional audio video (Pro-AV) integrators deploying AV solutions which utilise IP networking. This new service to AV installers, consultants, manufacturers and resellers is positioned to streamline audio visual solutions over IP and eliminate the complexity of AV deployments.
This dedicated Pro AV engineering services team of experts has been conceived in the company’s efforts to empower those who are conducting installations and designing projects with free network design assistance, training and installation support. From pre-sales and post-sales support to technical training, to white papers and best practices, these services are positioned to help educate tech managers and integrators to become masters of AV deployments which require IP networking.
In order to streamline the

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Guatemala - Obsidian Control Systems has announced Casa Instrumental as the exclusive distributor of Obsidian Control Systems products in Guatemala.
Lighting professionals in Guatemala will be able to test the console line at a two-day ONYX training event taking place on 1-2 October at the Casa Intrumental facility in Guatemala City. Designed to provide both a basic and advanced look at hardware and software, interested professionals can contact info@casainstrumental.com for more information.
With 35 years in the market, Casa Instrumental is established as a leading provider of some of the world’s top professional audio, lighting and musical instrument brands. Under terms of the agreement, Casa Instrumental will provide full support for the entire Obsidian line of hardware and software lighting control solutions.
“We decided to distribute Obsidian Control Sys

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UK - Entertainment technology charity Backup is launching The Backup Pumpkin Challenge, a competition to help raise awareness of the charity in a fun and creative way.
To participate, you need a pumpkin, your design, and any props or tech you want to incorporate to bring your design to life. Fundraisers are also welcome but not required.
The Backup Pumpkin Challenge consists of four categories: Best Overall Design; Best Use of Tech; Most Money Raised (via the Backup Pumpkin Challenge Fundraising Page); Most Overall Likes (on Instagram).
To enter a design, participants need to upload up to three photos and/or a video no longer than 15 seconds to Instagram using #BackupPumpkinChallenge along with your name or team name. All entries must be posted by 31 October. Winn

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UK - The 2019 PLASA Show was “the busiest in years” thanks to a six per cent increase in attendance, PLASA has reported. The event’s global status was also strengthened, with delegates from over 63 countries flocking to the London-based tradeshow.
This was the last edition of the event that was held at Olympia’s National Hall, with the 2020 PLASA Show set to move to London Olympia’s Grand Hall to accommodate a greater number of stands and show features.
“PLASA Show has clearly been improving year on year with 2019 being the best one yet,” comments Johan Gunsing, international sales manager for Adam Hall Group. “We have started to see a wider geographic audience attend the show which brings with it new opportunities, new business and increased brand awareness.”
“Once again PLASA did not disappoint,” comments Gareth Collyer, Nexo’s UK sales m

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Gendered Awards - The Brit Awards say they will review the way they distribute prizes, with one option being the abolition of separate male and female categories. But reports that gendered awards have already been axed are "based on rumour and speculation", organisers said. "We can 100% confirm that there will be male and female awards in the UK and international categories in February 2020," they told the BBC.
The statement was issued after a story in The Sunday Times at the weekend claimed organisers wanted to accommodate non-binary artists - who identify as neither male nor female - and that scrapping gender-specific categories was the likely outcome. The report came a week after pop star Sam Smith asked fans to call them by the pronouns "they/them", not "he/him". "After a lifetime of being at war with my gender I've decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out,

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UAE - SLS has recently made a substantial investment in Robe lighting fixtures. This included an initial purchase of 50 MegaPointes last year followed by 86 Spiider LED wash beams earlier this year, then 24 Pointes and a pair of DL4S Profiles.
Martin Luiz founded SLS 22 years ago in Dubai to provide full technical production management and design services - combined or individually as required - to a range of different events. He has built his business steadily based on being imaginative and delivering high quality results with outstanding technical expertise.
SLS provides equipment for all major disciplines - lighting, sound, video rigging and staging - and there are currently around 130 full-time employees, all dedicated to working, mainly on a mix of corporate and industrial shows across the UAE and in neighbouring GCC countries like KSA, Oman, Kuwait and others.

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UK - Norfolk-based LED lighting and control specialist TLS Pixelite has rebranded to TLS Lighting.
The company was founded by Alan Reeves in 2007 and offers control systems for LED lighting as well as bespoke lighting solutions manufacturing and design services.
Reeves reveals that he initiated the re-brand for the purpose of consolidation and simplification, “to create a stronger brand for our customers to identify with, drawing upon the solidity upon which TLS was built”.
The TLS Lighting website now boasts a new portal (www.tlslighting.co.uk) from which visitors are invited to view the company’s projects, its premium lighting and control system products, and learn more about lighting control in its technical knowledge section.
“Taking the time to clarify what TLS Lighting stands for and what it represents to its customers is a very important step

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UK/Germany - Following on from a successful PLASA Show, Artistic Licence has confirmed Frankfurt-based AES Technik as a value-added reseller for its products in Germany.
As technical services provider and project integrator working with many leading brands, AES is known for its high level solutions across a broad sector including conferences, trade fairs, award presentations and concerts.
Artistic Licence CEO Wayne Howell comments: "As a UK-based manufacturer facing Brexit uncertainties, it's very important for us to maintain a strong international profile and ensure a business-as-usual approach. We have some incredible new products - our trailing edge mains dimmer, sunDial, won the Gold Innovation Award at the show last week - and I think many people will be surprised at just how keen our pricing is these days.
“Growing our European distributor base is an obvi

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Mexico - Grupo Morfo has been named Outline’s exclusive distributor for Mexico. Effective immediately, Grupo Morfo will be responsible for sales, technical support and service of Outline products across all markets, including touring, AV rental, live bands, performing arts venues, hospitality, restaurants, clubs, portable, cinema and stadiums.
“In Grupo Morfo we have found an ideal partnership to strengthen, publicise and launch the Outline name in Mexico,” says Giorgio Biffi, Outline president & CEO. “Grupo Morfo has a solid, strategic approach in the product lines they have represented, as well as a proven track record of responsive service and support. The company principals have a close collaborative relationship with the integrator community, which aligns with Outline’s growing emphasis on commercial installation. At the same time their personal experienc

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Europe - The 2020 Hog Factor Europe competition is now open, High End Systems has announced.
The company is inviting applications from students, apprentices and other aspiring lighting professionals under the age of 25 from across Europe, Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Africa and the Middle East.
Individuals or teams of two people are asked to submit a performance lighting piece programmed on a Hog or on Hog 4 PC, which can be downloaded for free with a special demo version of Capture visualisation. The deadline for submissions is 15 January 2020.
The top three entries will be selected and the contestants asked to programme another performance lighting piece based on High End Systems’ 2020 Prolight+Sound stand design. These finalists will be invited to the event in Frankfurt, Germany (31 March – 3 April) to demonstrate their programming skills live

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UK - Following on from last year’s successful event, Christie is once again opening the doors of its Wokingham office to visitors from the UK and further afield. Held over two days, Christie Connect UK will showcase new projectors for enterprise and cinema, LED displays, as well as content management and processing equipment, all of which highlight the powerful end-to-end nature of the Christie offering. The event coincides with Christie’s 90th anniversary and offers a special seminar programme designed to demonstrate Christie thought leadership on current and future technology developments.
One of the event’s main attractions will be the award-winning Christie MicroTiles LED. For many this will be the first opportunity since its launch at ISE 2019 to see a live demo of the MicroTiles LED. Another attraction will be the Christie D4K40-RGB pure laser projector which wi

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Canada - ACT Lighting has been appointed the exclusive distributor for Ayrton in Canada, effective 1 October.
“We are excited to further our partnership with Ayrton to now service the entire North American market,” states Ben Saltzman, CEO of ACT Lighting. “Ayrton is the industry’s most innovative brand and market-leading manufacturer of professional digital lighting with unmatched quality and design. Ayrton’s product portfolio and development strategy are the perfect match for the ACT Lighting team.”
“As Ayrton continues to look forward, it makes sense to consolidate our North American distribution strategy,” says Chris Ferrante, Ayrton CEO. “ACT Lighting is the perfect partner, being the best placed company across the region, especially considering the incredible growth we have experienced together in the US market. We are looking forward to the bro
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  2. Autograph named Shure partner of the year
  3. Fanie Pieterse switches on to Audix Elite
  4. Elation appoints Cast in Switzerland
  5. 7thSense extends distributor network
  6. TEATR named Elation distributor in Poland
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