Turkey - This summer saw Istanbul's Cemil Topuzlu Harbiye Open Air Theatre stage its annual July Summer Concert Series, a three-week festival of music which culminated in a performance by disco diva and Grammy award winner Gloria Gaynor, accompanied by the ENBE Orchestra. Ensuring that the climax to the festival would live long in the memory of Turkish music fans was a DiGiCo SD9 console.

Organised by Pera Events and conducted by founder Behzat Gerçeker, the Istanbul-based ENBE Orchestra played a selection of its own material in the first half and accompanied Gaynor throughout the second.

The SD9 was supplied by DiGiCo's Turkish distributor Elit Light/Sound Technologies, who have found it to be a very popular choice at many events.

"DiGiCo is the first choice of many sound engineers, and the SD9 fits the bill for many events due to it's being both affordable and easy t

Malaysia - When Indonesian singer Ruth Sahanaya celebrated her 25th anniversary, lighting designer Bernard Chew from Jakarta, was challenged with creating a lighting design for the landmark event, which he faced with a grandMA2 full-size control console on his side.

Staging a night to remember in the Plenary Hall of the famous Kuala Lumpur Convention Center, Malasia, right underneath the Petronas Twin Towers, Sahanaya was easily able to convince her audience that there are many more years to come. Best known for her ballads, Sahanaya has won several national awards and is well recognised internationally, frequently touring and playing music festivals as far afield as Finland and the Netherlands, in the process winning many fans across the globe.

Working together with Jeffry Waworuntu, Ruth Sahanaya's husband and manager, Chew came up with a lighting design fitting for the occa

South Korea - The Gaya Theatre in Seoul, South Korea, recently hosted a spectacular hologram performance called VR BreakOut.

Zenex Wave, a Korean design and production company, used Medialon Manager Show and Media Control Software with an iPad to give a chance for the audience to enjoy and experience a 3D world of virtual reality on stage.

The performance is a musical and dance story about prisoners who lead a routine life, isolated from the outside world, and dream of freedom through a mysterious Bi-guep (a book with supernatural power), which happens to fall from the sky.

In VR BreakOut - selected for the 2010 Virtual Reality Content Support Project of Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), Zenex Wave applies holograms to a commercial stage for the first time in Korea, realizing virtual reality on the stage by combining technologies like 3D projection mapping

UK Adlib finished an outstandingly good year in the comedy - amongst other - sectors, supplying lighting , sound equipment and crew to the final leg of Russell Howard's successful Right Here Right Now UK arena tour.

Adlib first worked with the high profile funny man in 2008, and have followed his spectacular career trajectory encompassing a steadily increasing amount of live work in larger in larger venues.

The tour's lighting was designed by Adlib's award winning Ian Tomlinson, and was operated on the road by Andy Rowe, working with technicians Chris Neary, Shaun Moore and Mike Summerfield. FOH sound was engineered by James Neale, with Marc Peers on monitors, who was also crew chief, working alongside Adlib's systems tech Kenny Perrin and George Puttock.

Once again, Neale specified a Coda Audio Airline LA12 system, after achieving great results on the earlier leg of

France - The Django d'Or International Jazz Awards festival is now in its 20th year. A Europe-wide organization, Django d'Or was founded to honour the jazz greats of our times as well as promote new talent in the spirit of one of jazz's all-time greats, Django Reinhardt. The festival's future was threatened earlier this year when a massive warehouse fire destroyed nineteen years worth of archives. The organization decided to stage a massive benefit concert to ensure the continuation of the festival, and turned to rental specialists Alpha Audio to supply the sound system, which was APG throughout.

The concert took place at the legendary Pavillon Balthard in Paris with international jazz artists of renown including Didier Lockwood, Rhoda Scott and David and Noé Reinhardt amongst many others. Alpha Audio supplied a significant Uniline system as the main PA comprised of six U

The Netherlands - Crestron's new Fusion EM software is a complete energy management solution for organisations of any size from schools and universities to corporate enterprises, says the company.

The Crestron Fusion platform is a scalable framework which provides the basis on which to monitor and manage lighting, energy, and AV, while providing the tools for remote help desk, room scheduling and asset tracking. Fusion expands upon the established Crestron RoomView Server Edition (SE) platform by upping the ante with its scalable redundant architecture and multiple front-end components: Fusion RV and Fusion EM.

Fusion RV software, which provides AV, help desk, meeting scheduling and technology management, is the upgrade path from RoomView SE. The all-new Fusion EM provides energy management and tracking. Both front-end components coexist on the same server platform and share t

UK - For 2012, the ABTT Theatre Show is moving to the 'Old Truman Brewery' a new venue for the event, located in the heart of a thriving and booming creative community in East London. The organisers say: "The move is in keeping with the creative and artistic roots of theatre and the ethos of the annual ABTT Theatre Show."

The 'Old Truman Brewery' where the ABTT Theatre Show 2012 will be staged on 13-14 June, is already home to art, design and fashion shows. It was created from the regeneration of 10 acres of once vacant and derelict buildings on the former brewery site and is also placed central to one of London's most exuberant and eclectic shopping and dining districts.

Event organiser Roger Fox explains: "Theatre people need to communicate face-to-face in a relaxed environment. In fact, the convivial atmosphere became so successful in the early days of the Th

The Netherlands - On display at Stand 1N28 at ISE 2012, d&b audiotechnik will give pride of place to elements of its xS and xA-Series of loudspeakers from their White product range. The 4S, 5S and 8S are designed specifically as stand-alone two-way full range loudspeakers for the permanent installation market and can be supported by the dedicated little 12S subwoofer which will also be on display.

All these loudspeakers were originally only available in black as standard or specially ordered coloured to match venue interiors, however being typically d&b, all these little White range cabinets are now also available in white as standard. Alongside these will be the larger 10S and 12S loudspeakers plus a three cabinet array of the 10A line array loudspeaker from the xA-Series.

For those who find hearing is believing, room E103 has been taken by d&b so that visitors can not only p

UK - International Outdoor Event Expo (IOEX) has launched a research project which aims to provide an insight into the event industry in 2012, with predictions for the year and the issues facing event professionals.

Event Industry professionals are invited to take part in the survey which investigates the changes in the profile of events taking place in the UK, areas of investment for 2012, and how event organisers source their suppliers.

The online questionnaire takes a snapshot of the UK events industry and highlights important factors for the future, including the impact the Olympics will have on the industry in 2012 in terms of equipment investment and legacy planning.

Mark Gordon, UBM sales director explains, "We designed this survey to gauge the feeling of the industry from both an organiser and supplier perspective ahead of this very exciting year for British eve

The Netherlands - UK-based Clockaudio is launching the CW-200 dual channel wireless conferencing system at ISE. The company is showing the new system along with its current range of microphone and microphone management solutions, for conferencing and AV, at the forthcoming exhibition.

The CW-200 provides "an affordable, easy to deploy and operate solution for elementary, occasional or portable conferencing applications". The system comprises two boundary microphone transmitter units and a dual channel UHF receiver. Receiver and transmitter are operable over 32 selectable frequencies for each channel, and feature auto scan and lock to provide transmission on an available interference-free frequency. Adjustable 'Noise-Lock' squelch and RFI shielding technology negate environmental RF noise and signal interference.

The transmitter units are of die cast metal constructio

The Netherlands - Ibbenbüren-based t&mSystems will be exhibiting for the first time at ISE 2012. In addition to showing a selection of products from its range of electronics and loudspeaker s, the German manufacturer is launching a number of new competitively-priced audio electronic products for the installation market, including the ProjectMix818, ProjectMix241, Project1240Z, Project120MP and Project240MP.

The ProjectMix818 features 4 line and 4 mic/line inputs that can selectively be switched as the source for any of the output zones. A further mic input can also be sent, with level control, to any or all zones in addition to their selected source. The unit also has two inputs for t&m paging mics.

The ProjectMix241 is a stereo rack mixer with two microphone and four line inputs. The microphone inputs can be switched to line for maximum flexibility. The output section offers

UK - The PLASA 2012 free registration website is now live. Show organiser PLASA Events expects around 6000 visitors to take advantage of the special free registration offer over the next 48 hours, with early bookers saving £20 on the standard ticket price for this year's PLASA Show, which takes place at London's Earls Court on 9 - 12 September 2012.

All previous PLASA Show visitors have been sent the special offer via email, and free registration for new visitors is now live at www.plasashow.com.

"We have been offering free registration for early bookers for the past three years and each year the number of registrations soars," comments events manager Sophie Atkinson.

"PLASA 2012 will be the first show to take place after the London Olympic and Paralympic Games and it will be a celebration of our industry's contribution to this summer's events. We'll be

USA - The ETCP examinations will be given at USITT's Annual Conference & Stage Expo in Long Beach, CA. All three examinations will be given at the same time and are scheduled for the morning of Saturday, 31 March. Candidates who wish to take more than one exam should contact ETCP. Interested applicants must submit their application, along with supporting materials and fee, to the ETCP office no later than 1 March 2012.

Candidate information, including eligibility requirements and applications, is available on the ETCP website (http://etcp.plasa.org), or if you would like the information mailed, please contact Meredith Moseley-Bennett, ETCP Certification Manager, at 212-244-1505 or etcp@plasa.org.

Can't make it to USITT? ETCP examinations are given daily at over 190 computer based testing centres across the US and Canada. After an application has been received and accepted, can

The Netherlands - As part of its Future Trends Summit and its all-new programme of sessions for the Education Zone at Integrated Systems Europe 2012, InfoComm International is throwing the spotlight on the ever-increasing role played by standards in audiovisual system design.

At the Future Trends Summit in Amsterdam on Monday 30 January, Joe Bocchiaro III, vice president of InfoComm's Standards and Industry Innovations Programme, will present a session titled Is the Future More Standardized? In it, he will emphasise how embracing standards can boost business and offer a competitive edge for AV industry practitioners, as well as outlining the standards emerging from InfoComm and from other associations that will impact the future of audiovisual systems.

Bocchiaro will follow this at 11:30 on Tuesday 31 January by leading an ISE Education Zone class titled Audiovisual

The Netherlands - Following the success of similar events in recent years, key manufacturers including Lab.gruppen , Peavey Commercial Audio, Bosch Communications Systems, Yamaha Commercial Audio, Audinate and ASL, will be hosting an all day event on Tuesday 31 January at the Holiday Inn Amsterdam.

The 2012 AV Networking Congress, brings together some leading industry AV design consultants, and pro-audio manufacturers sharing their expertise in the rapid convergence from analogue to digital media networks.

Technologies for digital audio networking first appeared nearly two decades ago, but only recently have we began to witness a seismic shift away from traditional analogue networking and towards digital networking. A key driver for this is the rapid convergence of AV and IT, underpinned by the adoption of high performance AV networking technologies, such as Dante, based on th

USA - Robe Lighting, Inc. will showcase several new products from its Robin series of products on Booth 201 at the upcoming PLASA Focus event at the Renaissance, Austin in Texas, 22-23 February 2012.

The Robin series of products is in tune with the company's ongoing 'Think of the Future - Consider Nature' commitment to producing genuinely more sustainable and greener technology.

Highlighted will be the Robin 1200, 600 and 300 LEDWashes and the all new Robin MMX Spot.

(Jim Evans)

UK - For the second year in a row, Black Light is acting as a leading sponsor for the Federation of Scottish Theatre's (FST) Technical Winter School. This takes place at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre between the 21 and 23 February 2012. The company is supporting the high-profile event both financially and practically and has teamed up with a number of its key suppliers to deliver three days of technical training.

"We are delighted to be able to support this exciting event," says Black Light's customer relations, manager, Claire Södergren who is going to attend the event with colleagues Phil Haldane, Black Light's head of company development, and Craig Collin, the company's technical manager. "This is a really exciting opportunity for us to meet old friends and to help people in the industry get to grips with some of the most exciting new technology around."

UK - David Moran and Ulric Kenny of Ion Equity have acquired Ocean Media Group from Anglo Irish Bank. Ocean Media is a broadly based exhibition, publishing and new media organisation with core businesses in the weddings/bridal and social housing sectors within the UK, Holland and Germany. Its portfolio includes The White Book and Access All Areas magazine.

The buyout was financed privately and leaves Ocean Media debt free. As such it is able to, and intends to, launch and acquire new business. Kenny will be chair of Ocean Media while Moran will be CEO. Moran and Ion Equity owned Ocean Media previously from July 2006 to October 2007.

Moran said: "They say you should never go back, but Ocean is a great company with strong products and fantastic people and I am looking forward to growing Ocean again." Kenny said: "We enjoyed working with David and the

USA - Three new sessions have been added to the attractions already on offer during the inaugural PLASA Focus: Austin 2012, taking place at The Renaissance Austin, on 22-23 February 2012.

Alongside 50 exhibitors and a two-day programme of free professional development sessions, visitors can now book a place on a very special discussion presented by world-renowned lighting designer, Peter Morse. From Madonna and Michael Jackson to Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Usher, Prince, Christina Aguilera and Janet Jackson, Peter Morse has worked with some of the biggest stars on some of the biggest tours in history. Peter will talk us through his inimitable personal style, and share some of his experiences in this very special session; Lighting the Big Stage with Peter Morse.

Another major scoop is Advanced Mapping Techniques with Hippotizer Media Servers, presented by TMB

Germany - From 21-24 March, Prolight+Sound will take place in Frankfurt, Germany. Products and services at Prolight+Sound will be divided into two main sections: 'Audio and Sound Systems' and 'Lighting and Stage'. The Audio and Sound Systems section in Hall 6.1 presents microphones, mobile PA systems and accessories. In Hall 8.0, the Audio and Sound Systems section covers 'portable sound', 'concert sound', 'installed sound', microphones, networks, production and broadcasting. The Lighting and Stage product group is spread over Halls 9.0 and 11.0. Theatre, studio and stage lighting, stages, trusses and rigging, display units and video will be in Hall 9.0, while show and stage lighting, design and installation, lasers and effects, stages, trusses and rigging are in Hall 11.0.

On the outdoor exhibition area, the Concert Sound Arena and the Portable Sound Arena will showcase large-s

UK - Technical Marketing has been appointed to plan and implement a marketing campaign to promote the ABTT 2012 Theatre Show which takes place 13-14 June at The Old Truman Brewery in London.

Technical Marketing's Andy Collier announcing the engagement said, "we are delighted to have been appointed and thank the show organisers for the trust placed in Technical Marketing to deliver a successful campaign. What is particularly exciting is that although the show enjoys a fantastic heritage - 2012 will be its 34th year - it continues to evolve and retain relevance to the theatre industry now.

"As both a visitor and exhibitor over the years, for me the show has always been friendly and accessible. Not only is it a great opportunity to talk to equipment suppliers and examine new products, but it is also a 'must attend' event for networking and making or renewing contacts.&q

The Netherlands - Artistic Licence founder, Wayne Howell, is to chair a Lighting Panel discussion at the Dynamic Events Conference being held at 4.00 - 5.30pm on Monday 30 January, RAI, Amsterdam.

Dynamic Events is a new conference aimed at the use of lighting, sound, video technology and staging in large scale entertainment and sporting environments.

The Lighting Session participants include distinguished lighting designers Durham Marenghi, Paul Collison, Koert Vermeulen and David Eversfield. The panel will be discussing the challenges faced in the production of unique large scale events with a global televised audience - from technical to cultural to financial.

After each panellist and the moderator have introduced themselves to the audience, the panellists will take turns to lead on a variety of topics guaranteed to produce a lively and productive session. The discussions

UK - At ISE 2012, Crestron will be running a full schedule of free training programmes to Crestron dealers, including its flagship course, the DigitalMedia Certified Designer.

In addition to this, there will also be a New Technology Showcaseand The Next Generation in Crestron Control Systems and Touch Panels sessions. Alongside the classes - at their stand (#1F6) - the company will be introducing a range of "breakthrough technologies that lay the foundation of AV technology for the future".

The day-long DMC-D course will provide dealers with the best practices of designing, installing and commissioning a DigitalMedia system. DigitalMedia is a complete solution that manages and distributes protected digital content over a single copper wire or fibre.

Also at ISE 2012, Crestron technical and sales specialists, product line managers and engineers will be

USA - Randal (Randy) A. Lemke, the executive director and CEO of InfoComm International since 2000, has announced his planned retirement at the end of 2012, capping off 16 years of service to the commercial audiovisual association.

"It has been an honour to serve the needs of such an exciting and innovative industry these past years," Dr. Lemke stated, "and it's with mixed feelings that I leave the wonderful team of professionals and close friends I have made here at InfoComm."

The InfoComm International Board of Directors has announced that an extensive search for Dr. Lemke's successor will be undertaken, with the selection anticipated by the fourth quarter of this year.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, past president of the board, Jim Ford, said, "We are proud of Randy's extraordinary service to InfoComm International. During an economy when ma

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