UK - ETC's stand at PLASA 2012 this year is better than ever, the company reports, with a range of new and updated products on demonstration.

ETC introduced the new Source Four Dimmer on the stand. The Source Four Dimmer reduces cabling and energy demands on buildings while increasing Source Four fixture brightness and efficiency.

By regulating output to support 115V HPL lamps, the Source Four Dimmer supercharges a 230V Source Four luminaire - allowing a Source Four ellipsoidal profile on 230V line voltage to use a 115V lamp to outperform a typical 1200W condenser profile.

Seen for the first time in the UK, ETC's Layers of Light theatre on the stand offers a short presentation, on the hour every hour, visibly demonstrating the power of ETC's Selador x7 LED colour system, as well as offering a close-up look at the different Selador Desire LED luminaires and the new Source Fou

UK - Shure UK is featuring the ULX-D Digital Wireless Microphone System with new multi-channel receivers, a High Density mode that enables 63 channels to operate in just 8 MHz of spectrum, and integrated Dante digital audio networking.

The new ULXD4D dual channel digital receiver and ULXD4Q quad channel digital receiver pack two or four channels of wireless into one rack space, with individual gain controls, LED meters, and XLR outputs for each channel. Like the single-channel, half-rack ULXD4 digital receiver, the new dual and quad receivers feature fully digital audio processing and RF transmission as well as AES 256-bit encryption".

"ULX-D has already set a new bar for audio quality, spectral efficiency, and features with its intelligent rechargeable batteries and AES256 encryption," said Erik Vaveris, category director for wireless products at Shure. "T

UK - LED Engin, Inc., a leader in high lumen density LED products, has demonstrated emitters and LED modules that enable the size of entertainment lighting products to be reduced significantly, on stand 2-S11 at the PLASA 2012 exhibition.

The company's LuxiGen platform of white and multi-colour compact emitters generate the high luminous flux density demanded in entertainment lighting, particularly for spot beams, distance lighting effects and in dynamic lighting scenarios. Patented thermal management technology allows the LED die to be driven to higher current levels and in a denser configuration than industry standards, without adversely affecting operating life. LED emitters are up to 80% more efficient than traditional tungsten lighting and this combination of features in LED Engin products enables lighting fixture designers to at least halve the size of their products, and

UK - Declaring after taking over lighting company SGM last February that his days of producing moving lights were finished forever, word leaked out during PLASA in London this week that SGM's Peter Johansen's R&D team had in fact been feverishly developing radically different LED Spot, Wash and Beam fixtures from their skunk works in Ã…rhus, Denmark.

"We had wanted to keep this under wraps," stated Johansen, "but then someone got hold of our product pipeline and leaked it. When one of our key distributors heard about it, they placed an order for more than 2,000 fixtures ... even though we will not be launching the range until the Prolight+Sound Show in Frankfurt next April."

Up to that point SGM had been denying rumours that they were about to re-enter the moving head arena. And although full details will continue to remain secret, the product's big USP is

UK - Several years ago, Rosco innovated the concept of "a colour that keeps on giving" and Rick Fisher created Supergel 313, Light Relief Yellow. Rosco committed to make a donation to Light Relief from the income generated by the sales of the colour. This year's cheque presented by Mark Engel, Rosco's CEO brought Rosco's contribution to Light Relief to $28,076.

In presenting the cheque to Matthew Griffiths, Engel said: "Every year, I have the opportunity to stand here with you and present Light Relief with a cheque for the proceeds from global sales of Rosco Supergel 313 Light Relief Yellow. It is one of the most fulfilling moments of the show for me and for Rosco. As you know we work hard to offer real solutions and tools for designers through our products, and working with you to develop this colour that continues year after year to provide much-needed, tangible

UK - Robe lighting enjoyed "a fabulous and highly eventful PLASA 2012 exhibition at Earl's Court".

In addition to a super-busy four-day expo, the Czech moving light manufacturer launched seven new products; won a 2012 PLASA Innovation Award; raised £6,200 for industry charity Light Relief with the auction of a genuine Olympic Torch and hosted a popular party on the Sunday night.

Robe's 'Working With Winners' campaign launched earlier this summer embraced new levels of excitement, with Robe CEO Josef Valchar commenting, "It was an incredible PLASA all round for us - carrying on what's been an amazing year". Robe also celebrated its tenth PLASA.

Back in 2002 the company burst on the scene with its first PLASA as an 'own brand' entity, up to that point having been a quality OEM manufacturer of some experience.

In this short time, Robe has rocketed fr

UK - 5 Star Cases reports yet another successful PLASA exhibition in London.

5 Star highlighted samples of its most popular product ranges for the entertainment industry, concert touring, television and theatre markets. Over the four days of the show these all attracted plenty of interest, with some deals also completed on the stand. 5 Star's MD Keith Sykes comments that visitor quality was "Generally very good".

5 Star's latest Drawered Racks attracted plenty of interest and were a prominent element of the stand display.

Three types of Drawered Racks are offered as 'standard' - two hinged versions and one with removable doors.

There's a choice of two dynamic styles for the hinged option - one with a fixed top and one with a hinged top, complete with very cool gas strut supports to prevent accidental closure.

The hinged top version also features a workstation a

UK - ETC's new Source Four LED luminaire has won the prestigious PLASA Award for Sustainability at this year's PLASA 2012 show in London, against some strong competition.

Performing at 30 to over 40 lumens per watt, the Source Four LED spotlight excels in efficacy. This powerful yet energy-saving light creates beauty and artistry in stage, studio and architectural applications. It combines the popular features of ETC's conventional Source Four profile spotlight with the intelligence and seven colours of ETC's Selador Desire LED luminaires. And it comes in three different models - the Lustr+, Tungsten, and Daylight - each using just a fraction of the electricity of its incandescent counterpart. As the PLASA judges also commented: "[The Source Four LED] has a highly efficient optical system, and you can reuse existing lens stock."

ETC's CEO Fred Foster responded to the

UK - Midas Consoles has presented live audio specialists Britannia Row with a special 'Pushing the Boundaries' award for its work on the Queen's Jubilee Concert earlier in the year.

Midas announced the gong during a pre-PLASA distributor's dinner and then later in the week on the Midas PLASA Stand during the European press launch of the PRO1 and VeniceU.

"The award was made in recognition of Britannia Row's design and application of the largest, most complex network of Midas consoles to date," explains brand manager Richard Ferriday. "The system was used on the hugely demanding Queen's Jubilee Concert where more than 250,000 people packed into The Mall, St. James's Park and at the Queen Victoria Memorial, to watch the stellar line up of bands, who performed in quick succession, as millions more watched around the world on TV."

"We are delighted to be

UK - At PLASA 2012, Spotlight promoted a comprehensive LED range. The company wanted to present in London the latest products of the new Green Line family specifically projected for performing arts and TV studios.

With the three new FresneLED 250 White Tunable, ProfiLED 200 and ProfiLED 250 RGBW - Spotlight LED range attracted an audience as probably the most complete LED products line of the highest quality and efficiency today available on the market.

The luminaires of this wide range are characterised by excellent performances, energy saving, clean light without heat and UV/IR emission.

ProfiLED 250W RGBW, optical discharge profile spot, was the real highlight of the event, showing a light power equal to the one of a traditional halogen 2000W and with an extreme precision of the projection.

ProfiLED 250W RGBW impressed because it is innovative, versatile and interesting

UK - Flightcase and speaker cabinet solutions specialist Penn Elcom showed its latest ideas and technologies at PLASA 2012 for the first time with all key brands in the group based on a single booth.

In addition to the latest ideas from Penn Elcom, the newest products from Pro Audio Stash, Rackz and CLD Distribution all attracted interest over the four day show.

Penn Elcom chairman Roger Willems states, "It was a good opportunity to meet many of our existing customers from the UK as well as make some new contacts."

The integrated stand also highlighted Penn's quality metalworking and manufacturing capabilities in the UK, and how this and other synergies help fuel the development of innovative and cost-efficient product lines across the sister companies.

"Overall this enables us to offer a very 'joined-up' range of complimentary products," confirms Wille

UK - Besides being one of the main PLASA sponsors, Clay Paky organised several activities at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre, which played host to the historic London show for the last time.

Clay Paky set up its main stand, overlooking the busy PLASA central bar and Innovation Gallery in the heart of the exhibition centre, in partnership with Ambersphere Solutions, the sole distributor of Clay Paky and MA Lighting products in the UK. The stand provided an overview of all Clay Paky's new products: the A.Ledas, the Series 800 Profile and QWO lights, and the GlowUp Strip 100 LED bars.

More than 40 new product demos took place on the various exhibition days, accompanied by an impressive light show. They were held in Clay Paky's magnificent demo room, where a spectacular rig was set up, comparable to those used at the best live concerts. The numerous visitors from the UK and seve

UK - Just over two weeks since it all ended and the highs from PLASA are still running through the office at Green Hippo, says the company.

With distributors, lighting designers and DJ's to students, technical managers and programmers the stand was buzzing and everyone was able to get a sneak preview into how easy just got easier.

Head of sales Samantha Bailey stated, "The response from customers to the new release was fantastic, they are thrilled with the new markets and customers it opens them up to and are heading back to their respective countries with new jobs on the horizon as a result.

"Not only has the development been with our products but with our staff and office. Many of you will have seen familiar faces on the stand and with a closer look discovered that we're not quite human. Looking at the people behind the product we make up the team of dedicated st

France - SIEL 2013 is scheduled for Monday 4 to Wednesday 6 February 2013 at the Grande Halle de la Villette - Paris.

SIEL is a showcase for 'products' but it is also the coming together of an entire profession in all its business sectors - audio, lighting, video, special effects and stage equipment.

The event features 11 demonstration workshops, four classrooms for training sessions and nine Lighting Showrooms for checking out lighting effects. Confirmed exhibitors include Chromlech, Soundcraft, JBL, Sennheiser, Yamaha, Robert Juliat, Clay Paky and more.

For the second consecutive year, innovations will be rewarded with an 'Etoile du Siel' prize by a jury of experts.

A friendly, convivial gathering is promised, and the opportunity to meet and talk in a setting that is unanimously popular.

(Jim Evans)

UK - The festival season drew to a close recently after a disastrous summer when many of the major festivals were cancelled due to the terrible weather. Luckily the rain stayed away for the final two major events in London's Hyde Park- the Proms in the Park and Radio Two's Festival in a Day.

Blinding Light Ltd, based in Reading, was chosen to supply lighting for both events. Part of the requirement was to light the huge windows in the Proms set. For this, they used 32 of MilTec's LEDHead Batten2 units (two mounted in the base of each window). Fitted with 18x 8W quadcolour LEDs and Powercon mains connectors and weighing only 6kg each, they proved a very effective yet lightweight and low powered solution.

Tony Hall, Blinding Lights' lighting designer commented, "The MilTec battens have proved to be extremely reliable, and pack a great punch for their size. I was extremely p

UAE - After initial enquiries and a visit to the PLASA trade show in London in September, Dubai-based event production supplier Eclipse has made an investment in the new Martin Professional MAC Viper Profile, winner of a PLASA Innovation Award.

Eclipse is the first in the Middle East to purchase the Vipers and are confident they will become a sought after item by event organisers and promoters.

The purchase of the Vipers increases the already large range of Martin lighting stocked by Eclipse which includes the MAC Aura, MAC 2000 Profile and Wash, MAC 301 Wash, MAC 401, MAC 700 Profile and Wash, Atomic 3000 strobes, Atomic Colors scrollers and popular Martin LC Plus LED screens.

Nour Assafiri, CEO of Martin Professional Middle East, says: "Martin Professional UAE LLC started collaborating with Eclipse since it was first launched in the UAE. The Eclipse team is known for

USA - Free registration is now open for the PLASA Focus: Stamford 2012 Professional Development Programme, a two-day programme of free educational seminars and workshops, running alongside PLASA Focus: Stamford, on 12-13 November 2012.

The programme will give visitors a unique opportunity to broaden their specialist knowledge and take part in discussions about innovative projects and cutting edge techniques.

Technical editor, Richard Cadena comments, "It's always been a dream to host a show like this in the Tri-state area, and with so much talent on our doorstep we've literally been spoiled for choice when putting this seminar series together."

Media, sales & marketing director, Jackie Tien adds, "Sharing knowledge and expertise is vitally important to the development of technology, techniques and talent. We wanted to produce a program that features current, h

UK - Training centre Backstage Academy reports a successful exhibit at its second annual PLASA Show, where it celebrated a year of growth with several initiatives.

The Academy took many enquiries for its Foundation Degree in Live Events Production, for which there are still places for this November. It also had a lot of interest from overseas companies wanting training delivered in their home country.

Said sales & business development manager Sara Gleadhall, "What was surprising this year was the number of enquiries we had from companies and professionals abroad who are desperate for us to take our training overseas.

"We are currently looking at developing packages of training in essential backstage skills and certificates to deliver in foreign countries."

The Academy launched a student competition to win a week's work experience on the set build of a major

USA - Avolites Media is heading Stateside this month to show off its award-winning Sapphire Media Infinity System.

The media server technology, developed by the R&D team at Avolites Media, will be exhibited for the first time in the USA at the annual LDI show Las Vegas, 19-21 October 2012 at Las Vegas Convention Center.

Avolites Media will be at Creative Stage Lighting's stand, the company's US distributor, on Booth, # 1129.

Since its groundbreaking use on major events in the UK and beyond the Sapphire Media Infinity System has been the talk of the entertainment technology industry and, at the PLASA show, it won the much-coveted PLASA Award for Innovation with PLASA judges commenting: "It's the first integrated video control surface dedicated to video. It's well thought out and well designed."

Steve Warren, managing director for Avolites Media comments, "The

USA - PLASA Focus: Stamford 2012 grows from strength to strength as new exhibitors and new seminar speakers join the party. PLASA Focus: Stamford will be the first regional PLASA event for the Tri-state area and takes place just 30 minutes outside of New York City at the Stamford Marriott, CT., on 12-13 November 2012.

Visitors to the show will be among the first to see many new products being displayed and demonstrated in the region for the first time, including the Hippotizer Version 3.2 Software on TMB's booth; LumenRadio's SuperNova; four additions to the ProPlex Devices range of tour-grade signal management systems; The Solaris Flare Color Strobe; the Schnick Schnack Systems LED Accent Lighting System, as well as a hands-on demonstration of Aereographer by Flying by Foy - the world's most advanced design tool for flying automation, with many more announcements coming soon.

The Netherlands - Adding a further attraction to the growing list of educational and networking events co-located with ISE 2013, Integrated Systems Europe has announced the launch of the MegaPixel Summit. To be held at the Amsterdam RAI over Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 January 2013, the Summit will be produced by market research, publishing and consulting firm Insight Media.

"Over the past couple of years, we have seen a substantial increase in the number of ISE exhibitors offering display solutions that are above full HD resolution," comments Mike Blackman, managing director, Integrated Systems Events. "The potential of these technologies is enormous, but these are complex systems and many industry professionals are enduring a steep learning-curve while implementing them.

"By hosting the MegaPixel Summit at ISE 2013, we hope to create a forum in which the cha

UK - Michael Grandage CBE, will open this year's TheatreCraft event by giving a welcome speech at 9am on Friday 30 November 2012, at the Royal Opera House.

TheatreCraft, which is now in its seventh year, is the essential free event for anyone aged 17 to 25 looking for a non-performance career in theatre. Participants can explore topics including producing, stage management, wig-making, lighting, marketing, theatre journalism, sound, directing, costume design, playwriting and designing.

The event on Friday 30 November at the Royal Opera House will welcome more than 1,000 young people from across the UK and runs from 9am - 3.30pm. Participants will have the chance to take part in a choice of over 60 workshops delivered by skilled theatre professionals from, meet more than 40 exhibitors in the bustling marketplace and visit the 'Ask the Experts' zone which offers one-to-one advic

USA - PLASA Events has announced the line-up for the next three editions of its North American regional trade show series. Following PLASA Focus: Stamford 2012, to be held on 12-13 November, 2012 at the Stamford Marriott in Connecticut, the new-style regional events will roll into Orlando on 15-16 May, 2013; Austin on 10-11 September, 2013; and Nashville on 5-6 February, 2014.

Having made a name for itself in its first year, the PLASA Focus series is committed to providing live production professionals that can't attend national shows with a chance to check out new technologies in their own backyard.

The events are the first chance for many entertainment tech communities to meet at a dedicated event for their area. Each event showcases the very latest pro audio, lighting, AV and stage technologies, much of the gear making its U.S debut, fresh from international launches.

CEO

UK - The new official website for the forthcoming Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Show 2014 is now live, the organisers have announced.

Visitors and exhibitors can now visit the site (www.acrshow.co.uk) to see the latest news and developments on the event, the only national exhibition dedicated to the air conditioning and refrigeration industry, which takes place at the NEC, 11-13 February 2014.

People can register via the website to receive regular updates on the show, including the latest exhibitors confirming stands, planned technology launches, visitor attractions and the hugely popular technical and business seminar programme.

Building on the success of this year's launch event, the show has the backing of major industry organisations, including the Institute of Refrigeration (IOR), the British Refrigeration Association (BRA), the Federation of Environmental Trades A

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