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Germany - Schnick-Schnack-Systems has been granted ISO 9001:2015 certification. ISO 9001 is defined as the international standard that specifies requirements for a quality management system (QMS). Organizations use the standard to demonstrate the ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements. The Cologne-based company subjected all of its business units to the ISO 9001:2015 certification, with an external audit determining that all met the requirements for certification.
Erhard Lehmann, managing director of Schnick-Schnack-Systems, comments: “Schnick-Schnack-Systems produces quality products. In addition to numerous measures in production, we also decided more than a year ago, to design our processes in accordance with ISO 9001. We are proud that this has now been independently confirmed with the certificate.” 

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USA - The Long Reach Long Riders and Behind the Scenes will host their annual fundraising raffle at the USITT Conference on 21-23 March in Louisville, KY.
This year’s raffle will celebrate the 16th anniversary of the Long Reach Long Riders annual charity motorcycle ride. The Riders, who have raised over $500,000 for charity in their years of touring, will be riding 7-13 July on the Altimeter Tour through the Colorado Rockies.
The prizes, provided by generous donors, are: Grand Prize, Spotlight with Renderworks from Vectorworks; Ghostlight from Altman Rentals; American Express Gift Card from Barbizon; Prostar 300lb capacity 115V, 10ft lift with chain bag from CM-ET; Event Safety Summit 2019 Registration from the Event Safety Alliance; Nespresso CitiZ Espresso Machine with Aeroccino Milk Frother from IA Stage; Stagehands Dream Kit from Monkey Wrench Productions; $250 G

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USA - The Entertainment Technician Certification Programme (ETCP) reports that ETCP Paper and Pencil rigging examinations will be offered in conjunction with the Jay O. Glerum Rigging Masterclasses in San Diego on 3 April.
Any qualified rigger over 21 is invited to apply to sit the exams. Applicants should fill out the exam application form at http://etcp.esta.org/riggerapplicationmaterials and submit it to the ETCP office by Monday, 11 March.
 The Jay O. Glerum Masterclasses now have three tracks of learning: advanced, intermediate and entry level. Held at San Diego State University’s Done Powell Theatre, the entry-level courses will take place from 30-31 March, and the intermediate level will be taught on 1-2 April. All courses carry full ETCP Renewal Credits. To register, please visit

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UK Equipment rental supplier Visual Elements has invested in a Vista 3 by Chroma-Q lighting & media control system featuring a Vista EX surface - taking its inventory to 18 separate Vista desks.
Established for almost 20 years, Visual Elements provides wet and dry hire solutions to live events clients across the world - including music festivals, theatre shows and film premieres. It is also the in-house supplier to leading London events venue, Tobacco Dock, whose diverse client list includes awards ceremonies, corporate conferences and consumer exhibitions.
A Vista user since the platform launched in 2004, Visual Elements has one of the UK's largest inventories of Vista systems, which range from full size all-in-one consoles to ultra-compact control surfaces.
Visual Elements director, Mike Townsend commented: "Visual Elements has been supplying Vista systems

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South Africa - The Soweto Theatre has become a river that has quenched the thirst of art devotees in the busy community of Jabulani in Soweto, near Johannesburg. Staging ongoing productions ranging from poetry to choirs, and beauty pageants to music festivals, the theatre has nurtured both professional and emerging talent.
More recently, the Soweto Theatre took delivery of 20 Robe Robin LEDBeam 150s supplied by DWR Distribution.
“Initially we considered the Robin LEDBeam 100s as part of our venue upgrade,” explained Lebugang Mnisi, technical manager. “Having chatted to Kevin Stannett of DWR, he advised us that the 150s would be a better match.”
According to Kevin Stannett, the Robin LEDBeam 150 is small fixture with a massive zoom range and sweeping beams. Lightweight and compact, it will be useable across all three of the theatre’s venues from the smal

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Brazil - API has announced the addition of a new distributor in Brazil, Just Pro Audio. Distributing professional audio brands for Latin America, Just Pro Audio’s extensive product line will now include analogue sound of API.
Just Pro Audio focuses on musical production, broadcast, radio, and live audio, and offers a wide variety of services including consulting, systems design, integration, installation, training and technical support.
“API is honoured to have Just Pro Audio on board to help us expand our sales into the very vibrant and growing Brazilian market,” noted API’s managing director Gordon Smart. “Just Pro’s level of professionalism and expertise is an excellent match for the API brand, and their timing is perfect with the arrival of three new API consoles over the past 24 months.”
(Jim Evans)

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The Netherlands - ELC Lighting, manufacturer of the multi-award winning Ethernet-based digital intercom system for event production and broadcast applications, has announced the appointment of two new distributors. These latest appointments bring the brand’s global sales network total to 39 countries, as Green-GO continues to increase its market presence worldwide.
The new exclusive distributor for Green-GO in Slovenia is MK Light Sound, based in Ljubljana. The long-established and highly respected company provides top-end lighting, audio and multimedia equipment and systems as well as consultancy, engineering, installation and technical event production services.
In Thailand, Bangkok-based Broadcast Audio Service becomes the exclusive Green-Go distributor. A systems design and integration specialist founded in 2008, the company provides equipment and services to a

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UK - A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) has announced it will be hosting a Seeing is Believing UK training and demonstration event on 6 March 2019, in partnership with video brands including NovaStar and Prolights.
Held at Production Park in Wakefield, technical experts from NovaStar and Prolights will provide hands-on product training focusing on the key features of NovaStar's LED display processing solutions, as well as advice on how to operate and specify them for different projects.
Attendees will get an insight into NovaStar's extensive product line-up that includes the Taurus multimedia player for smart display systems; the MCTRL660 PRO controller, which provides an ultra-low latency solution when paired with NovaStar's A8s and A10s receiving cards; and the InfoComm award-winning MCTRL4K controller, which utilises the latest HDR technology to show mor

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Spain - French loudspeaker manufacturer APG has appointed Andalusian audio specialist Zero Dbs to support and promote its brand and products in Spain.
Zero Dbs has organised demo days on 13-14 February in collaboration with the APG team, taking place at the Priego de Cordoba Victoria Theatre, which was equipped with a Uniline Compact system at the end of 2018.
Juan Antonio Cuevas, technical director and owner of Zero Dbs, comments: “I have favoured the APG brand for a long time thanks to its sound and manufacturing quality, as well as its versatility. Their products offer features that I have not found with any other brands in the industry.”
He adds: “The Spanish market might not know the APG brand well yet, but I’m convinced regional companies and customers will soon be aware of its qualities. Whenever we have provided APG in the past, customers have b

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UK - Unusual Rigging reports that its support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals has been recognised by Support the Goals.
The UN Sustainable Development Goals, also known as the Global Goals, or SDGs is a plan to end poverty, extreme inequality and climate change by 2030. Agreed in 2015 by world leaders, these goals can only be achieved with the support of businesses.
Unusual Rigging has gained its first star rating; a maximum of four stars can be awarded as the company progresses and communicates its journey to support the goals.
Tom Harper, director at Unusual and head of sustainability, comments: "On face value, the goals laid out by the SDGs may feel too broad and interdependent, hence way beyond the scope of an entertainment rigging and engineering company's influence. Yet with headlines such as "Only 12 years to act on climate change" o

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UK - Live event production educational facility Backstage Academy has announced the continuing support of long-term partner d&b audiotechnik.
The news was announced by d&b director Stephen Hogg and Miles Marsden, Backstage Academy’s industry partnerships director, who instigated the original agreement.
Marsden comments: “d&b has a long-term commitment to training; the company took the opportunity of being an early adopter here and is now one of a number of companies reaping a return on investment.”
Headline partners enable the Backstage team to work with current technology and equipment, in return gaining access to the Academy’s facilities, both for their commercial needs and as a part of the institution’s educational syllabus. These facilities range from immersive opportunities in Production Park, studio space and hot-desking. “Everyone

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Merging Venues - Venue operators AEG Facilities and SMG - which runs arenas in Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle - have announced a merger, creating a new company: ASM Global. The company will be based in Los Angeles and will operate more than 310 venues across five continents.
SMG Europe, a subsidiary of SMG, currently operates venues such as the Manchester Arena, the First Direct Arena in Leeds, and Utilita Arena in Newcastle. AEG Facilities is the venue management arm of AEG and will own 50% of the company, with the other half owned by Onex, the parent company of SMG.
SMG chief executive Wes Westley described the move as a “major step for our industry”. He adds: “We are excited to bring together these complementary businesses to further elevate the standard of excellence in venue management. We plan to accelerate innovation by combining our expertise to deliver

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UK - East of England Arena Events Centre (EEAEC) has announced a collaboration with Pearce Hire. The EEAEC is one of the UK’s top event venues, hosting over 300 events, conferences and meetings a year. The multi-purpose events complex sboasts over 9,000sq.m of indoor space and over 250 acres of outside space. With significant and ongoing investment in the venue and its infrastructure, the venue has appointed Pearce Hire as a preferred contractor working throughout the complex.
“With our HQ based in Peterborough we are ideally placed geographically to offer an outstanding level of service and support to the venue, to the organisers putting on events at the venue, and to the exhibitors at all the major trade and consumer exhibitions which take place here throughout the year,” observes Shaun Pearce, managing director, Pearce Hire.
“Having provided services for man

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USA - Community Professional Loudspeakers has appointed Richard Dean Associates as its rep firm for the New England and Upstate New York. Established in 1975, Richard Dean Associates’ line card includes Shure, QSC, Allen & Heath, BARCO, Patton Electronics, Denon/Marantz Pro, Rane, IDK Corp. and Listen Technologies.
Dick Bazirgan, principal of Richard Dean Associates, comments: “We pride ourselves on representing the premier brands in every category, and Community is certainly in that group. It is a great complement to our other brands, with outdoor and installation products covering voids we couldn’t previously fill. The endorsement of many of our rep colleagues also played a big part in our decision. To a firm, they talked about what a great company Community is to work with.”
Bazirgan adds: “We have a large number of outdoor opportunities with all of th

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UK - Olympia London, the home of the PLASA Show, will undergo a £1billion transformation that will turn the exhibition centre into a 'world-leading cultural hub'.
The plans, which include two major venues and a host of arts, office and retail spaces, were approved by Hammersmith & Fulham Council on 31 January. The venue will remain open throughout the works, Olympia London has confirmed, with "no disruption to any trade show" held there. 
Peter Heath, PLASA managing director, comments: “We wholeheartedly welcome this news from Olympia and are excited to see how the classic venue evolves and expands over the next few years.
"We have seen PLASA Show rapidly grow each year since it moved to the west London venue in 2016. This announcement provides more opportunity for growth and secures the show's place in the international calendar for the long-term.”

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UK - Event hire and production company Colour Sound Experiment has invested in Chroma-Q's award-winning Space Force and Color Force II 72 LED fixtures.
The Space Force fixtures were recently utilised on the E-sports gaming tournament FACEIT Major London 2018, which culminated in a live final at the SSE Arena, Wembley in front of 10,000 fans and a global TV audience of millions.
Haydn Cruickshank, Colour Sound MD, comments: "As an LED fixture, Space Force’s cool running and no fans means no noise, which makes it perfect for the demands of film and production work. Color Force II has, in my opinion, significantly raised the performance bar again for an LED alternative to traditional cyc, wash and effects lighting sources.
“Colour Sound has been using Chroma-Q LED fixtures for more than a decade. With innovative products such as theirs, we've built up an extre

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Swaziland - Ten Concepts, a Swaziland based hire company for audio, visual and lighting equipment, has invested in a DiGiCo S21 with D2 rack, purchased from South African distributor, DWR Distribution.
“When I saw the DiGiCo S21 on the internet I was sold,” says company founder, Thabani Ngcamphalala. “I love the touchscreen and being able to move files from one screen to the other without a problem. It’s so user friendly.”
He will be using the console for corporate events and shows, and is particularly looking forward to making use of the DiGiCo platform for live events.
(Jim Evans)

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Europe - Sixty82 has expanded its global distribution network with the appointment of Electro Waves Oy as its exclusive distributor for Finland and Sweden.
“We are very happy with our newly formed partnership with Electro Waves,” says Sixty82 CEO Fokko Smeding. “It will help strengthen market synergy for Sixty82 as it creates a solid foundation to penetrate the Scandinavian market.”
Date Jonkman, Sixty82 executive account manager, continues: “Electro Waves is a highly-regarded and well-renowned distributor in the trussing and staging industry. Their team is well experienced and, with their expertise and support, we are confident that, together, we can create something special.”
Miko Nurkki, CEO of Electro Waves, comments: “In order to offer our customers holistic, quality solutions, we have gathered the best partners around us - Sixty82 shares ou

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UK - On-Stage, supplier of musical accessories and pro-audio equipment, celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2019.
After years of encountering the varied needs of musicians first-hand, Jim Hennessey set about designing the innovative solutions he felt were lacking in the marketplace. Utilising knowledge acquired during a career in aviation, as well as his experience of the music industry from his time at Ovation guitars, Hennessey designed the TRI Triple Guitar Stand, an industry first which became On-Stage's debut product.
“I've always been a creator and designer, so when I saw a need in the industry, I filled it,” said Jim Hennessey. “I'm so proud of where we are as a company today; we have all of the musicians that have used our products throughout the years to thank. It has been a pleasure serving you for the last four decades.”
Distributed in UK, ROI a

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USA - At the recent NAMM show, Westview Productions presented a cheque for $5,162.32 to Behind the Scenes as their first donation to the charity as a new Pledge-a-Service Partner.
Westview is an entertainment, energy, and immersive technology solutions firm headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Their project process encompasses all aspects of design that integrates with all construction trades to ensure a cohesive and seamless project experience. Westview has global experience in lighting, motion control, audio and AV systems, media, and architectural systems allowing them to provide comprehensive services as a sole solutions organisation.
On presentation of the cheque, Eric Bloom, president, states: “I feel so strongly about the Behind the Scenes Foundation’s efforts, that it’s a great pleasure to be able to support the foundation this way. Helping to support our c

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UK - Technical production specialist, Hawthorn has announced a significant investment in its video department, having invested over £1m in new equipment over the last year. The latest kit additions focus on bolstering the company’s 4K offering and sees significant investment in infrastructure from Lightware and Barco.
With a long-standing history of working with Lightware products, Hawthorn has added two MX2-16x16-HDMI2.0 Matrices to its hire shelves. The standalone product is a member of the Lightware HDMI 2.0 matrix switcher family, supporting uncompromised 4K UHD resolution at 60Hz 4:4:4. Alongside this, the company has also purchased six channels of HDMI2.0-OPTC-TX/RX220-Pro, an HDMI 2.0 compatible, HDCP 2.2 compliant extender pair for video, RS-232 and Gigabit Ethernet signals, supporting uncompressed 4K UHD resolution.
Hawthorn has also upgraded its Barco Ev

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USA - Cornerstone AV has invested in High End Systems’ Sola series of automated LED luminaires, adding 50 flagship SolaFrame 3000s to its rental inventory. The HES gear was deployed immediately, illuminating three nights of A Kurt Bestor Christmas in nearby Salt Lake City. Michael Frantz, Cornerstone’s lighting department supervisor company, said their third time lighting the Christian singer’s holiday show was “the best ever.”
LD Matt Endicott, Cornerstone’s lighting designer for the Kurt Bestor shows, agreed: “It is the total package: shutters and the even output, along with its primary function of colour temperature consistency for key lights. That is what aced it for us: the uniform field, shutters and ability to light a big arena show. Everything else was icing on the cake.”
The SolaFrame 3000s were used for all purposes, for key light, floo

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Poland - The first Rigging Conference to take place in Poland will be held at the Giliwice Arena from 19-20 February. Attendees can look forward to learning about ICOPER (International Code of Practice for Entertainment Rigging) and the National Rigging Certificate, the leading industry certification from PLASA.
Additionally, PLASA’s managing director Peter Heath will present a keynote talk on the importance of European collaboration. Heath comments: “It’s good to see initiatives such as this encouraging industry standards and safety. I am looking forward to speaking at the conference to play a part in promoting professionalism across the entertainment rigging sector in Poland.”
For more information please go to: http://www.riggingconference.pl/
(LSi Online)

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UK - As part of PLASA’s Professional Development Training, chartered engineering consultant and LSi journalist James Eade will host a one-day seminar and workshop on Electrical Safety Management on 26 March at ETC Ltd in London.
The workshop will focus on the 18th edition IET Wiring Regulations which came into force on 1 January 2019, critical for those who manufacture and hire equipment, own a venue or are end-users.
James Eade comments: “I’m delighted to host this workshop with PLASA to help attendees understand their overarching requirements for managing electrical safety in the workplace. Many are becoming familiar with the temporary power standard BS 7909, but that is one of several standards that fit into a bigger picture surrounding legal requirements of electrical safety management, from workbenches in a factory to temporary systems erected on site. In t
  1. Codex Events joins the SIXTY82 family
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  3. GDS invests and restructures operations
  4. Waves training in Jo’burg and Cape Town
  5. ISE: Momentum for Milan network builds
  6. PWS opens Nashville office
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