Robe - Leaderboard - 27 Aug25 - Jan26
ISE 2026 - Banner - Oct 2025

General

Details
UK - PLASA has announced the four contenders for the first Gottelier Award, to be presented at this year's PLASA Show (9-12 September, Earls Court, London).

Named in honour of the late Tony Gottelier, the industry innovator and commentator who passed away in 2006, the Gottelier Award is aimed at those members of our industry who have made significant and sustained contributions to the advancement of entertainment, presentation or installation technology - whether in audio, lighting, rigging, staging, or any other related field.

Following a six-week period of gathering nominations from across the industry, the shortlist of leading nominees can now be revealed, ready for the voting process to begin.

The nominees are as follows (in alphabetical order):

• Tony Andrews is a highly regarded designer and manufacturer of high quality point source loudspeaker systems, w

Details
Europe - Integrated Systems Events, organiser of Integrated Systems Europe, Integrated Systems Russia and the Integrated Systems Roadshow, has announced five new appointments to strengthen its team as its activities continue to broaden.

ISE is appointing three new members to its Board of Directors - Timothy Penn, managing director of AMX UK; Matt Teevan, international director of Da-Lite Screen Company; and Thierry Ollivier, sales manager of projectiondesign. The trio replace A C Ter Meulen, president of Mitsubishi Europe Benelux; Susanne Seidel, vice-president, Sennheiser, and John Forney, vice-president, Lutron, who have all just completed their terms of office.

Additionally, Ian Morrish has joined ISE as sales manager responsible for the UK, Benelux, Scandinavia and Latvia, as well as the residential sector of the US market. Morrish comes to ISE after spending eight years w

ISE 2026 - Banner - Oct 2025

Details
USA - The Genlyte Group has announced record second quarter net sales of $408.9 million, an increase of 11.7% compared to $366.1 million in the second quarter of 2006. The Company also reported record second quarter earnings per share of $1.29, a 4.0% increase over the $1.24 reported for the second quarter of 2006. Second quarter net income increased to $37.4 million compared to $35.9 million reported for the second quarter of 2006.

Chairman, president and CEO Larry Powers said: "We are pleased to report second quarter increases in both sales and earnings. Our focus on higher margin product lines and the price increases helped us achieve higher sales and gross margins for the second quarter.

"Our commercial lighting business grew moderately from last year, but the growth was offset by weakness in the residential sector. In addition, results for the second quarter of

Details
UK - 5 Star Cases has built a special flight case for pilot Paul Bonhomme of Attitude Aerobatics, current leader of the Red Bull Air Race World Series.

The 1800mm long by 1300mm high, navy blue case contains a complete engineering and service workshop, including clean and dirty work benches, a vice and full set of 10 drawers containing enough tools and spares to keep his hot-rodded Zivko Edge 540 single-seat-single-engine aerobatics plane going for a year.

A separate section at the back of the case contains other essentials, including two mountain bikes (for Bonhomme and his race engineer Wade Hammond), a kettle and a toaster.

The Red Bull Air Race is an adrenalising flying competition staged around the world, pitting the speed and precision skills of the world's most talented pilots against each other. There's a total of 10 races and 13 pilots, three from the UK including B

Details
UK - Audio Light Systems, the specialist installer based in Edinburgh, has moved to new premises.

"Now in the fourth year of trading the time is right for enlarging our accommodation and facilities to cope with the sustained growth of business," states Eddy O'Hare, company director.

The company's current commitments include major theatre refurbishments in Newcastle, Coventry and AV, lighting and sound projects of all sizes throughout the UK.

The new contact details are: Audio Light Systems, 8A West Telferton, Edinburgh EH7 6UL. Tel: 0800 043 4600. Fax: 0131 669 4231.

(Jim Evans)

Details
USA - The NSCA has named Nancy Owen as its new director of industry outreach. "Nancy will bring a strong spirit of community building to the NSCA, and she'll tell the story of our membership," says NSCA executive director Chuck Wilson.

"What makes NSCA great is having great members, and Nancy will reach out to these members and forge relationships. As a journalist, she'll expand NSCA's media relations programme and educate the public about the latest projects and news from our members."

Before arriving at NSCA, Owen worked at CNN Headline News in Atlanta, as a television reporter, freelance writer, publishing account representative, and as a director of community relations.

(Jim Evans)

Details
USA - Just three years after building and moving into its 250,000 sq.ft headquarters facility in Middleton, Wisconsin, ETC (Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.) is expanding again. The international entertainment- and architectural-lighting manufacturer is adding an estimated 78,000sq.ft to the factory portion of the building, on its southern quadrant. An initial estimate of the project budget is $9 million. The groundbreaking is scheduled to take place in mid October.

According to Kobi Danke, building-project manager, the new footage will give ETC more manufacturing and warehousing space: "We continue to introduce new products requiring greater assembly space. We also recently brought surface-mount technology in house to manufacture our own PCB/circuit board technology, which required spatial adjustments. And we anticipate further increases in production to meet rising order

Details
UK - Specialist asset finance company, Medialease, has commissioned a three part series of Podcasts looking at the challenges of technology purchase in the live production and fixed installation markets.

Talking to some of the serious players in the business, including Britannia Row's Bryan Grant, John Penn from SSE and XL Video's Lee Spencer, along with key manufacturers Barco and Lighthouse, Part One, entitled All the World's a Stage Payment, looks at the evolution of the industry and the attitude of the banks and asset finance institutions that service it.

"We decided to commission a series of Podcasts looking at how the industry has changed over the last four or five years," explains Medialease's Paul Robson. "It's gone from being very much a cottage industry, run by people who were passionate, but treated it pretty much as a hobby, to a multi-million

Details
UK - A.C. Lighting has been confirmed as an Official Car Sponsor of the Arden International racing team for this year's GP2 motor racing series.

The Championship is designed to equip every member of every team with the experience, knowledge and determination to succeed in Formula One and features cars running at speeds only a few seconds shy of F1 pace. For this season Arden opted for rookie drivers Adrian Zaugg and Bruno Senna, nephew of the triple F1 Champion Ayrton Senna.

A.C. provided the Arden GP2 team's innovative 'bullet-shaped' garage lighting pods, which feature the latest LED colour-changing technology and were custom designed to be in keeping with the cars' cutting-edge aesthetic and functional design.

Phill Capstick, the company's UK sales director, comments: "A.C. Lighting is extremely proud to be sponsoring the Arden International GP2 racing team. Their tr

Details
UK - Following a significant expansion into mainland Europe, Presteigne Broadcast Hire is taking this year's IBC in Amsterdam as the opportunity for its clients, both existing and potential, to meet the Presteigne team and learn a little more about its services, says the company.

"Over the last year or so, Presteigne has made a number of significant acquisitions, as well as taking the decision to open offices in The Netherlands and Germany," says managing director Mike Ransome. "This means we can service the Northern and Central regions of Europe on a more local level, which benefits our customers.

"We have invested heavily in equipment and have the latest in HD and SD camera equipment, VTRs, EVS hard disk recorders, lenses, RF links and de-rig systems available. We also took the decision last year to launch a broadcast audio rental division. We invested ov

Details
USA - InfoComm International and NSCA have announced a cooperative effort to consolidate their industry events. As part of this consolidation, the 2008 NSCA Systems Integration Expo will now become part of InfoComm's annual trade show in Las Vegas, 18-20 June 2008. NSCA will also transfer its ownership interest in Integrated Systems Europe to the remaining partners, as per a separate operating agreement.

According to Chuck Wilson, executive director of NSCA: "This is simply a huge deal for our industry and one we have been discussing for at least ten years. It's exciting to finally be able to say yes to the hundreds of shared exhibitors and attendees of both trade shows who have been asking for us to do this."

As part of further event consolidation, InfoComm will discontinue its Executive Business Conference and become a primary sponsor of the 2008 NSCA Business Conf

Details
Denmark - Martin Professional A/S continues its positive growth in 2007, maintaining the improvements that the company experienced in 2006, the company reports. Martin increased revenue by 29.8% from DKK 457.8 million (approx. $83.2 million) in the first half of 2006 to DKK 594.3 million (approx. $108.1 million) in the first six months of 2007, an H1 record for the company. The substantial revenue improvement was prevalent across all of Martin's key markets, with the exception of the USA where revenue was slightly lower than last year.

Martin now expects to generate revenue of approximately DKK 1.2 billion (approx. $218.2 million) in 2007 with a pre-tax profit of approximately DKK 70 million (approx. $12.7 million) compared with the previous forecast of DKK 40 million (approx. $7.3 million).

Shipping of large single orders, among other factors, positively impacted H1 2007 reve

Details
USA - Theatrical engineer John Charles "Jack" Suesse died on 17 August following a brief illness. He was 64. For more than 30 years, Jack was associated with J. R. Clancy Inc, the oldest theatrical rigging company in the US, serving as president from 1986-2005. He then formed his own consulting firm, J. Suesse & Associates, and also served as a special projects advisor to Stage Technologies in London and Las Vegas. He was a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and was selected as a Fellow of the United States Institute for Technical Theater in 1993.

Jack worked on theatrical projects of all sizes across the world including the Peace Center in Greenville, SC, the Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City, the Chicago Opera House, and the United States Naval Academy. He had a long-standing concern for safety and served on the Ente

Details
UK - The Verlinde Technologies division of French manufacturer Verlinde has announced that that Simon Rothechild's new title is business development manager for UK and Ireland with immediate effect. Rothechild is now also responsible for the South African territory, as well as other international regions for Verlinde, which are due to come on stream soon.

Thomas Descamps, Verlinde's managing director, said: "Simon has proved over many months an enthusiasm and aptitude to perform in the role, and he continues to hit his new business targets. Our sales in UK and Ireland are on track, and we are pleased to extend Simon's role to South Africa where he has already helped us make significant inroads into a major new marketplace."

(Jim Evans)

Details
UK - Due to circumstances beyond their control, Deco Leisure Group has been forced to pull outof the forthcoming PLASA Show at Earls Court.

The company suffered severe damage to its Birmingham manufacturing plant during the recent floods in the UK, and had hoped to have time to recover from the damage. However, the situation was exacerbated by a reoccurrence of the drainage problems over the week-end of 1 September, prompting CEO Sammy DeHavilland to make a formal statement:

"We consider the PLASA Exhibition to be the most important in the calendar; however the recent flooding has forced us to focus on the continuity of supply to our customers, rather then attending the show - it has become obvious we cannot do both.

DeHavilland explained: "Ironically the main problem, which involves the run-off of excess water from the site, was not our responsibility until last y

Details
UK - Wireless Solution Sweden is to launch Wireless University, an ongoing series of presentations and hands on demonstrations aimed at educating the industry on the technology and benefits of wireless DMX, at PLASA 07.

The programme kicks off at PLASA with a special seminar titled Wireless Control Technology held on Monday, 10 September from 10:30am to 12:00pm.

The series of technical sessions will continue at LDI in November and throughout 2008 in all major exhibitions worldwide, says the company. Two kinds of courses will be offered: A general overview and a more technical course, with completion earning a 'diploma', certifying the holder as a master Wireless DMX technician, available for on-site support.

In addition, Wireless Solution will host Road Shows and Open Houses in Europe, America, Middle East and Asia, which will give industry professionals a chance to n

Details
International - The first digital edition of Lighting&Sound International magazine goes live today, on the eve of the 2007 PLASA Show.

Timed to coincide with both the PLASA 07 and the re-launch of the popular LSI Online website, L&SI's digital edition will offer an easily navigable and fully searchable on-screen version of the familiar magazine, accessible for subscribers anywhere there is Internet access, as soon as the magazine is published.

The digital edition will allow PLASA Media to significantly increase the global circulation of Lighting&Sound International magazine.

Available free to industry professionals worldwide, the digital edition will boost readership, particularly in developing markets where the cost of subscriptions has previously been an obstacle, and equally in far-flung territories where

Details
UK - A seminar chaired by Mhora Samuel, director of The Theatres Trust, will highlight what leading theatre owners are doing to limit the carbon footprint of their venues - and what the industry can do to help. The seminar will take place at the forthcoming PLASA Show in London.

Following the Kyoto Protocol, the UK Government set a goal for CO2 emission reductions at 20% below the 1990 level by 2010. With the Climate Change Act due to be in place by Easter 2008 all businesses are being asked to play their part. Many theatres are aware that reducing emissions also helps to reduce their energy bills and are taking action now.

At this seminar, organised by The Theatres Trust, Dr Ben Todd, executive director of Arcola Theatre and Natalie Lewis, group operations co-ordinator of Ambassador Theatre Group, will talk about their plans to reduce CO2 emissions in their theatres and what

Details
UK - Stagesafe, the event safety consultancy set up 10 years ago by Chris Hannam, has introduced a new Event Safety Vehicle, based on a 4x4 Jeep Cherokee, that besides serving as a patrol vehicle for event safety staff during festivals and events, is also designed for use as a rapid response vehicle in emergency situations.

Says Hannam: "The specially equipped vehicle can be called in instantly by radio to a hazardous situation that can then be evacuated, cleared, contained and made as safe as possible until the full support of the emergency services arrive. Following the emergency, safety staff can then deal with the aftermath and conduct an investigation designed to prevent further or similar incidents."

The new vehicle is, he says, designed to protect organisers, staff, audience and performers, adding that it can also be used to transport emergency crews, equipmen

Details
UK - The new look PLASA07 opened for business this morning, 9 September, following a rush of last-minute registrations and confirmation of a substantial number of major product launches scheduled over the four days of the exhibition.

This year's show features a new layout, new features, over 50 new exhibitors, plus an expanded educational programme with many sessions free to visitors. These include special interest sessions from BEIRG, InfoComm International and the Theatres Trust, plus specialist sessions from Cirque Du Soleil, Duran Audio and Wireless Solutions. Additionally, the organizers have invested a range of visitor facilities including wi-fi lounges and meeting rooms.

The PLASA Awards for Innovation will be announced at 6pm this evening in the Central Bar area, located between Earls Court 1 and 2.

(Jim Evans)

Details
UK - Following discussions between PLASA Events and A.C. Lighting, an agreement has been reached that will see A.C. Lighting sell its A.C. Lighting North Trade Show to PLASA Events.

The agreement reflects the intention of both organisations to work together to ensure the entertainment, event and production industries in the north have a single industry-led event that serves their needs.

A.C. Lighting, a long-standing member of PLASA, started their event in 1999 and quickly established it in the industry calendar, developing it further in recent years to provide a strong focus for the region.

A.C. North 2008 will be the last trade show organised under that name by A.C. Lighting. Immediately after its close, PLASA Events will take over the management and ownership of the event and will look to build on the regional platform established by A.C.

The move fits the strategic aim

Details
UK - In an unexpected move announced today by Julian Blyth and Andrew Stirling at PLASA 2007, SCV London and Stirling Trading are to join forces. The new operation will be effective as of 1 October and Stirling Trading will be moving into the larger SCV premises in Loughton, Essex. The arrangement sees Andrew Stirling taking up a full-time position on the board of directors of SCV London.

"This is the culmination of a one year strategy review to develop the SCV London business," states Blyth. "This merger will strengthen our presence in the pro-audio markets and bring some excellent new talent to the Company. I'm very much looking forward to working together with Andrew to develop our business further."

Andrew Stirling comments, "The synergy of our joint distribution portfolios plus the strength of Stirling's direct sales built up over many years exper

Details
UK - M-Audio walked away with four prizes at last nights (Sunday) twelfth annual DJ Magazine Tech Awards held at the Ministry Of Sound .

The company swept up the awards with Ableton Live 6 being named as Best Software, Torq Xponent DJ Controller winning Best DJ Controller, Trigger Finger USB MIDI Controller took Best Studio Controller while the MicroTrack 24/96 Professional 2-Channel Mobile Digital Recorder walked away with the Best Portable Recorder prize.

M-Audio, who are also featuring a wide range of other DJ products as well as their new EX-66 Studio Monitors, can be found on Stand N39.

(Rob Speight)

Details
UK - The 2007 PLASA Awards for Innovation, announced last night in a special presentation ceremony at the PLASA Show, reflect the ever-more dynamic, diverse and creative health of the global entertainment and installation technology industries.

65 products from 10 different countries were entered this year, and covered a broad range of lighting, audio, rigging and staging, AV, effects, software and accessories - amply reflecting the industry's diversity and global nature.

"The energy, ideas and innovation that feature at PLASA start from the imaginative minds that make up the industry," said PLASA CEO Matthew Griffiths. "The talent in this business is formidable, and it's that talent that we're celebrating."

During the ceremony, attended by special guests from across the industry, eight awards were presented.These went to:

beyerdynamic (GB) Ltd - Hea

  1. Tony Andrews wins inaugural Gottelier Award at PLASA 07
  2. CIE-Group cycle for charity
  3. Star Events Group launches new website
  4. IIR names group exhibitions director
  5. Sonic celebrates fifth birthday with expansion
  6. New-look PLASA 07 'an outstanding success'
Page 119 of 245

Latest Issue. . .

PLASA Media Limited is a company registered in England and Wales with company number 4111709 - VAT Number GB 762 5913 14
PLASA Media Ltd, Redoubt House, 1 Edward Road, Eastbourne, BN23 8AS, UK Tel: +44 (0)1323 524120

 

login