UK - PLASA Show will mark its 40th anniversary this September 17-19, with a show that celebrates the evolution of the entertainment technology industry, and an exciting future for the PLASA Show, following last year’s successful move to London Olympia. This year’s show has the support of top industry brands including Platinum Sponsor Robe, Gold Sponsor Chauvet Professional and Silver Sponsor Infinity. Anyone involved in the industry is now invited to sign-up for the show, with free registration open online.
PLASA was originally conceived in 1976 as The British Association of Discotheque Equipment Manufacturers (BADEM) with the mandate to run an annual trade show, and has grown to represent all aspects of professional audio, AV, lighting, staging, rigging and related technologies.
The last four decades has seen staggering developments in technology, and the industry around it, and PLASA Show has grown and adapted with it. Last year saw the show move to a new location at London Olympia and returning to a September date, and with this a fresh enthusiasm from the audience which will take it through to 2017 and beyond.
Mick Hannaford, Manager Director, Robe UK comments, “We have seen the evolution of PLASA Show for many years and are pleased to support the fresh, re-energised approach and new features the PLASA Team have for the show. London is the heart of the creative industry and the perfect place to launch new products and bring to life the very latest Robe technology in an impactful and creative showcase. We are looking forward to truly “wowing” our customers for another year.”
For 2017, visitors will have even more new product innovations to see. The event will now accommodate over 200 leading manufacturers, suppliers and distributors showcasing the very latest technology, hosting exclusive product launches and sharing their expertise.
Following a close cooperation between PLASA and the audio industry, visitors can expect an increased emphasis on the audio sector, with a 25% increase in exhibitors — including manufacturers such as Adam Hall, Bose, KV2 — plus more audio focused education events and live product demonstrations.
The show’s renowned education programme will also be expanded with new interactive technical workshops and immersive features, which will reflect the 2017 show’s emphasis on innovation and evolution.
Three seminar streams will host seminars and panel session with some of the industry’s leading designers, engineers, production and venue teams, who will share their expertise and discuss the latest topics in the industry.
In practical sessions, visitors will be able to gets hands-on with technology in a new ‘Genesis Lab’ featuring a maze of experiments and immersive technologies; a Dante workshop, aimed at anyone involved with installation of networked audio systems; and a variety of training sessions and product demonstrations with leading equipment manufacturers.
The industry-respected PLASA Awards for Innovation, which recognises and rewards innovative new product ideas, will be running alongside the show and winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on the Monday of the show. Products that have been entered into the awards will be shown in an ‘Innovation Gallery’ alongside an exciting display of heritage technology to celebrate the advancements in technology over the past four decades of PLASA Show.
Chris Toulmin, Director of Events at PLASA comments, “PLASA Show has been at the heart of the live entertainment industry for the last forty years, and we are excited to deliver a show for 2017 with many innovative new features and celebrating the impressive industry developments that have been achieved.”
“The changes we made to the format last year really put the buzz back into the show, and we are excited to move into a new chapter. I encourage everyone to make the visit to London Olympia for what will be a special edition of the show.”
Free registration is now open and more information about the event can be found at: www.plasashow.com
To find out more and to enter the PLASA Awards for Innovations visit: www.plasashow.com/awards

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