The Innovation Gallery provided a popular focal point at PLASA 2004, and promises to do the same this year.
UK - The PLASA Show (11-14 September) has long been acknowledged as a focal point for new developments in technology. During its 28-year history, it has seen literally thousands of new products unveiled - a trend that is very much set to continue in 2005. This drive for creative excellence is reflected in the PLASA Awards for Innovation - a series of eight awards that puts the focus firmly on the best design and development work going on across the industry.

In the months running up to the Show, leading manufacturers across the audio, lighting, AV and staging worlds will put forward the new products that they feel initiate change and further demonstrate just how creative this industry is. All the nominations will be featured in the Lighting&Sound International-sponsored Innovation Gallery, an impressive display area at the entrance to the exhibition that captures the spirit of the Show. The eight winners will be announced in a major awards ceremony on Monday 12 September.

With an industry now spending significant sums on R&D, and so much at stake, the Awards have come to represent the highest standards of excellence: to ensure this remains the case, the strict entry criteria has been further tightened up to filter out products that are simply developments of previous entries. Further changes are also planned for the 2005 awards: with the demand for energy efficient technologies growing, the organizers are re-introducing an award for environmental impact. Awards judging panel chairman, James Eade, says: "As the focus on this area increases, as well as the reduction of harmful substances in manufacture, it's good to recognise those who divert an element of R&D spending into benefiting the environment. Products can be nominated where owners can demonstrate a clear strategic success in areas such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, a concerted effort to reduce harmful materials in manufacture (above and beyond that required for RoHS compliance) or similar environmental gains." The environmental award will be an additional award to the eight product awards and, like the others, will be given at the discretion of the judges.

All money raised from the entry fees goes direct to charities that have a direct link to the industry. Previous recipients include Livewire Youth Project - a centre in Cornwall that provides music and performing arts facilities for young people - and two pilot schemes, supported by the Live Music Forum, one providing a rehearsal centre in Swansea and the other enhancing the information and communication technology aspect of music teaching.

Established over 15 years ago, the Awards have a reputation for tapping into the latest trends: many previous winners have become industry-standards, some delivering unique creative solutions, others improving the working practices adopted by the industry. Almost all of these winning products can be found in projects across the world, delivering solutions that 15 years ago would not have been possible.

(Lee Baldock)


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