USA - Symetrix has launched its newly designed, mobile-friendly website complete with a new community forum.
Visitors to the website will find a visually enhanced, user-friendly format with improved navigation, functionality, and responsiveness on all screens and device types. The site features redesigned vertical focus pages, images and testimonials from real Symetrix projects, along with an online warranty claim form, and more robust support pages.
“It’s important to us that the Symetrix universe of users can easily find what they need from our website, whether it’s technical information, product documentation, or project inspiration, and be able to do it all from a phone or iPad if they’re not in front of a computer,” explains Symetrix owner and CEO, Mark Graham. “The new website provides that functionality, along with a cool new forum to give us a place to connect.”
The new Symetrix Symposium forum is a user-generated platform where visitors can ask questions, provide answers, and build community in the AV industry. Moderated by the Symetrix Technical Support Team, the forum is broken up into three main categories (audio processors & software, control solutions, and Intelligent Modules & Lua scripting) to provide vital information to AV users of all levels of expertise.
The forum interface is available in eight languages and provides 24/7 access to user-based technical information.

UK - Technical entertainment charity Backup has set up a new fund to help industry workers who have received no or limited government support during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
The Hardship Fund will provide financial assistance to crew/production personnel, and people working in the technical supply chain across the UK entertainment sector, including those from live events, theatre and TV and film.
The fund has been allocated an initial £200,000, with further fundraising in progress. £100,000 was raised by Backup and its supporters, including #WeMakeEvents, whilst charity Light Relief matched this with a further £100,000.
Backup chairman John Simpson comments: “The technicians and their families in our industry, particularly freelancers, are experiencing incredible hardship at the moment and, with the lack of ongoing financial support from the government, there are many people who are in desperate need of help. As an industry, we are trying to help ourselves, and Backup is now in a position to be able to offer a small measure of assistance. We still need more donations to help many more of our colleagues in distress.”
The first application period is running from 8am on 19 October to 8pm on 30 October and Backup is targeting resources to people who have received no government grants (e.g. from the furlough scheme and self-employment income support scheme) and no grants from other charitable funds (e.g. Theatre Artists Fund, Arts Council, etc.). All successful applicants will receive funds two weeks after the closing date, says the cha

UK - Stagehand, the PSA live event production industry’s welfare and benevolent fund, has received £100,000 from PPL to boost the charity's new COVID-19 Crew Relief Fund.
Launched by Stagehand trustees in September, the fund was deemed a necessary move by the charity as a means to support crew, technicians and live events industry workers that have fallen through the cracks in state aid. Open from mid-October, the fund will help those struggling to meet the cost of basic living - a roof over their head or food on the table.
Mike Lowe, chair of trustees, comments: “We are extremely thankful to PPL for coming on board so generously at the beginning of our campaign. As a sector-specific charity, we’ve already seen devastating effects suffered by some of our workforce caused by the lack of work and financial support. The relief of having rent paid and mouths fed will no doubt ease the undoubted mental anguish caused by the pandemic.”
Peter Leathem, PPL chief executive officer, adds: “The live events sector has been one of the communities hardest hit by the pandemic and so we welcome the opportunity to be able to provide this support. This funding adds to the contributions we have made to hardship funds for musicians, freelancers and venues - all of which are part of the music ecosystem.
“We need to safeguard the jobs and livelihoods of crew so that they are there when our members get back out on the road post-COVID to do what they love most - performing. This is a much-needed initiative from Stagehand and we are pleased to be able t

USA - The BTS Boutique is offering a range of festive decorations. Add some unique holiday decorations to your home this year and support your colleagues who are seriously ill or injured as well as Behind the Scenes’ new Mental Health and Suicide Prevention initiative. These ornaments have been generously made and donated to Behind the Scenes by Mike and Sue Wood, so every penny goes directly to helping your colleagues in need.
Have cut-outs of your favourite tools hanging on your tree this Christmas by choosing from a crescent wrench, shackle, paintbrush or scissors as well as holiday designs. Available in 3” round acrylic disks in red (in keeping with the #WeMakeEvents theme) or clear.
There’s a BTS ghostlight etched on clear acrylic. Ghostlight Tree, a garlanded Christmas tree features a ghostlight star that’s available in three styles: etched on clear acrylic, as an LED night light in multi colour or solid blue, and as a portable mini LED with remote control that will brighten any room or window with the holiday spirit.
For those celebrating Hanukkah there is a portable mini LED with an etched menorah topped with a ghostlight shamas candle and a Star of David night light in multi-colour or solid blue.
For more information about Behind the Scenes, to donate, or to apply for a grant, visit www.behindthescenescharity.org.

UK - As part of the Let Music Live initiative, 400 freelance professional musicians from all parts of the industry will perform in Parliament Square and Centenary Square, Birmingham today, shining a light on the need for targeted support for freelance musicians and all those who work in the arts and entertainment sector.
They are also joined in solidarity by the Musicians’ Union, The Incorporated Society of Musicians, The Musicians’ Answering Service, Emily Eavis, Jools Holland, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Dan Smith of Bastille and more.
Conducted by renowned director David Hill in Parliament Square, the freelance musicians will perform a short section of Mars from Holst’s The Planets before standing in silence for two minutes. The 20% of the piece that they will perform represents the maximum 20% support that freelancers receive from the government through the SEISS grant. The two-minute silence represents the 33% of musicians currently not covered by the SEISS grant (MU). The event will be Covid-safe, adhering strictly to social distancing regulations, facilitated by support from #WeMakeEvents.
Covid restrictions have disproportionately impacted the music and events industries, resulting in an almost total loss of opportunity to work. Investment is essential so that freelance musicians can continue to support the intricate network of businesses that rely on arts and events for their footfall.
Jools Holland commented, “I fully support these wonderful musicians in their actions. They are part of an industry devastated by this c

UK - Prominent live events industry campaigns and trade bodies have formed a taskforce to better communicate the demands of the UK events industry to the government.
Three campaigns have aligned to form the new body: the PLASA-initiated We Make Events along with Let the Music Play and We Create Experiences. They are joined by three trade organisations - the Business Visits and Events Partnerships (BVEP) which represents the conference, exhibition and outdoor events sector and is hoped to liaise directly with government; the UK Live Music Group which represents the UK’s live music industry, and PLASA.
Simon Hughes, chair of the BVEP comments: “Many different industry sectors will be looking to government for additional help and assistance in the next few weeks, alongside the more public/corporate targeting with the narrative of confidence and expertise. So it will be critical to ensure that messaging with the various target audiences are aligned across the extended ecosystem that comprises the whole of the event industry in the UK and the extensive supply chain that supports many thousands of livelihoods and enriches the lives of millions of people from all parts of society.”
Greg Parmley, chair of UK Live Music Group, adds: “With a long dark winter ahead for many in the arts, culture and events spaces, it’s imperative that we work closely together. Bringing the campaigns under one collective cross group addresses the need to communicate both short and medium-term tactics as well as the longer term plans required to support the industry.”

World - In a collective show of solidarity, live events professionals from all corners of the world held peaceful demonstrations to once again raise awareness of the dire effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sector and its workforce.
The #WeMakeEvents #StandAsOne Global Day of Action held yesterday, 30 September, was the single largest coordinated global event to take place since the campaign launched in the summer.
Just as with the regional events that preceded it, the demo saw thousands of cultural buildings being lit up in red, whilst the #WeMakeEvents and #LightItInRed hashtags trended on social media.
Campaigners have continued to push for state support for an industry that’s been unable to resume sustainably due to COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings. After more than six months of uncertainty, the future of a once-thriving sector and its workforce has been further threatened as a second spike in cases has seen restrictive measures being re-introduced by governments.
A raft of celebrities and artists endorsed the campaign, including Coldplay, Radiohead, Elbow, Mumford & Sons, Melanie C, Noel Gallagher and His High Flying Birds, James Bay, Frank Turner, Keane, The Libertines, Faithless, Massive Attack, The Happy Mondays, Biffy Clyro, Madness, Fatboy Slim, Skunk Anansie, and many more.
Glastonbury Festival’s Emily Eavis also shared a message of support: "Right now, tens of thousands of people who carry the UK's hugely successful live music and events industry are out of work, through absolutely no fault of their own. The m

World - The #WeMakeEvents campaign has been ramping up activity in order to highlight how the global live events industry urgently needs to get back to work. Over 30 million people in 25 countries would usually work in the events industry, but with social distancing measures in place, there is no possibility of a financially viable return for the foreseeable future.
Over the past weeks, events have happened around the world - including in the US, Canada, Sweden, France, Germany, Spain and the UK - to raise awareness of those impacted in the event supply chain, from manufacturers, production companies, catering, transport, security and others, to the huge freelance community that works within the industry.
The majority of the industry has had no income since the beginning of the crisis in March, and with a global second wave of COVID-19 imminent, a date to return to work has become impossible to predict, leaving many companies and individuals devastated, both financially and personally.
The industry is now joining together as a worldwide force on 30 September for a Global Day of Action. This marks the start of a new phase of the #WeMakeEvents campaign which will continue to alert governments to the disastrous situation the sector faces.
“The situation in Spain is terrible and we’re working very hard to highlight that to our government,” says Juan Jose Villa, from Spanish trade association, AFIAL. “Our event on 17th September got coverage on most of Spain’s regional television and radio stations, and we believe that we have shown ho

South Africa - Known for working together as technical director and supplier on popular art and music festivals across South Africa like Innibos, Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK) and Aarkloop, Pieter Jan-Kapp (Kappie) from PJK Management and Christiaan Ballot of technical supplier Blond Productions took the road less travelled over the COVID-19 lockdown and established their own online platform, Platform ZA which went live last Friday.
Platform ZA, a digital pay-per-view channel, has opened doors and created work for over 200 people, ranging from actors, musicians, cameramen and technical crew. Kappie and Christiaan did not only create Platform ZA, but even the content thereof such as Stroom, a music programme featuring some of South Africa’s finest artists, cooking and lifestyle programmes, a fishing show and spectacularly, produced and filmed sitcoms and comedy shows.
Very soon, like-minded players within the live events industry, facing the same dilemma, jumped at the opportunity to be part of the project. Together they have produced over 2,000 minutes of quality content, and it's very likely that Platform ZA will reach a new audience and continue running even once the world returns to normal. Filming took place at Blond’s warehouse in Midrand as well as shooting at various locations.
“We are absolutely delighted that the content is proudly South African, even though we have received assistance from an Australian financial investor,” comments Christiaan. “It is such a privileged to present our showcase to the world, feat

USA - If you have seen recent Olympics Ceremonies, Super Bowl Half Time shows, The Academy or Brit Awards broadcasts, concerts by artists from Beyonce to the Rolling Stones, or limitless other technically driven live performances and events around the world, you will have witnessed TMB’s ProPlex Ethernet cables in action.
In an industry where stakes are high, failure cannot be tolerated, and technical performance must be flawless, ProPlex is the default standard for portable network cabling. In entertainment staging and live production, where cables are handled every day and are routinely subject to abuses of all kinds, ProPlex Ethernet cables have earned a reputation for durability.
Now, engineers and technicians in a variety of other fields are recognizing the unique capabilities and many benefits of ProPlex Ethernet cables. They provide the assurance of unsurpassed data transmission integrity, even after years of heavy use, indoors and outdoors, says TMB.
“Anywhere high quality, reliable portable network cabling is required; from portable testing and exploration to research, from communications systems to automation control, aerospace, municipal and military applications, proven ProPlex Ethernet cables deliver your critical data without worry. When your reputation and livelihood are on the line, trust the best,” notes Colin Waters, TMB co-founder, CEO, cable pioneer and inventor.
Unlike solid and bonded conductor Ethernet cables, ProPlex’s Kevlar reinforced, stranded conductor design provides flexibility with a very low risk of m

Ireland - With restaurants, hotels, businesses and public amenities beginning to reopen across the EU, temperature testing has become a mandatory requirement to protect against COVID-19. In an effort to support the protection of our customers and reopen safely, Mountain Productions’ global e-commerce platform MTN Shop EMEA has introduced a new temperature screening technology.
The Xenon Fever Defence is a standalone facial temperature screening solution that can screen users in less than one second, helping to avoid congestion at busy entrances. This system can capture early signs of fever and provides an accurate reading to +/- 0.3°C. Upon reading of the temperature, this stop-go system alerts an individual of their result via a red or green light. Should a user have an elevated temperature, an audible message and warning alarm will sound.
With its sleek and unobtrusive build, along with its ability to operate without the use of internet connection, this device can be installed in almost any public setting, says the company.
To date, the Xenon Fever Defence has been installed at companies and organisations across a number of different industries in the Irish, European and US markets in industries including construction, hospitality, office, retail and education. To learn more, visit Shopmtn.eu.

USA - As the industry continues to be largely shut down, entertainment industry workers are dealing with increased levels of depression and anxiety and many are struggling to maintain their mental and emotional wellbeing. Joblessness, isolation, and worry about the future are all contributing to the negative impact on mental health. The reality is that many are not coping well and reports of suicide are on the rise.
National Suicide Prevention Week is an opportunity to learn what can you do to help colleagues or family and friends you are concerned about, as well as find resources that may help you today or in the future. Visit btshelp.org/bethe1to see the warning signs of suicide, because the more familiar you are with the signs the more likely you are to recognise them. Then learn about the 5 Steps you can take to help keep someone safe: Ask, Be There, Keep Them Safe, Help Them Connect, and Follow Up. Practical guidance and situational examples are provided for each of the five steps.
Most people want to help if they see someone at risk for suicide but they don’t know what to say or do, or are afraid they will make things worse or damage their relationship with the person, especially in the workplace. Evidence shows this is not the case and it is critical to reach out. Btshelp.org/bethe1to can give you the tools and resources you need to not be afraid to step up and potentially save a life.
Help spread the word across our industry – we can all help save

UK - Technological Innovations Group (TIG) has appointed Courtney Hercules to the UK team, as regional sales manager.
Reporting to TIG's regional director UK & Ireland, Phil Breitschadel, Courtney will focus primarily on the Crestron range of solutions and will support integrators by advising on the most suitable tailored solution for their clients' specific needs - in any commercial, corporate and collaborative setting.
Phil Breitschadel comments, "Courtney clearly understands TIG's vision, which is to provide a fully compatible suite of premium AV, UC and control solutions that integrate harmoniously with Crestron to create superior smart spaces. He is a talented and knowledgable salesman, having developed his technical expertise in the AV and technology industries. We look forward to having him join the team."
Courtney adds: "Working for TIG and representing Crestron has been a dream of mine for many years! I'm excited to meet all of my colleagues and customers, and contribute to TIG's success story. As we share this opportunity to grow together in these uncertain times, I look forward to bringing drive, expertise and assisting as best I can."

UK - Initially launched by PLASA in response to calls from its membership, the #WeMakeEvents campaign aims to raise awareness around the current plight of the live events sector and how it urgently needs financial support in order to survive the COVID-19 crisis. The initial response resulted in a collective Day of Action on 11 August, with creative expressions across the country, including over 700 buildings lit up in red and other activities that culminated with 4,000 socially distanced event professionals lining bridges and the bankside of the Thames, expressing their need for support with the red alert theme. (Read extensive coverage of the Red Alert day of action in LSi September – out now!)
‎‎In order to represent all those in the communities that #WeMakeEvents represents, PLASA is now announcing that the campaign has moved into total independence, steered by a collective of industry trade bodies, including PLASA, businesses and freelancers who are all working together to ensure it receives as much awareness as possible. The success of the initial activity has led to a global movement, with organisations from around the world coming together in a spirit of mutual support and solidarity.
This next stage in the campaign will be known as ‘Stand as One’ – taken from the newly released song and now campaign anthem, written and performed by Joe Bygraves, who has generously agreed to do

UK - On 11 August, as part of the PLASA-initiated UK-wide #WeMakeEvents day of action, the live events and production community in Manchester organised a silent and socially distanced flight case march across the city which culminated in a dramatic red flare exhibit.
Over 1,000 freelancers and supply companies attended the regional protest which collectively asked the Government to extend its furlough scheme and allow access to grants in order to help save an estimated 114,000 jobs.
The protest implemented the Tour Production Group (TPG) COVID-19 Working Guidance.
Acknowledging that tour-specific guidelines will become the norm in order for live production professionals to work and interact safely, the working guidance outlines how crews can better align through consistency and consultation to assist risk management relating to COVID-19 transmission.
Production manager Nick Gosling, who works with Nile Rodgers & Chic is part of TPG’s committee and helped manage the event from his home in New Jersey.
On the ground in Manchester was production manager Nick Robinson, together with Ben Dawson as crew chief and flight case manager, and Event Trucking Services’ Alex Webster as transport coordinator. The core team were joined on the day by Tom Sheals-Barrett as comms and co-production manager.
Robinson says: “We brought in Go For Show mobile production offices which were used by the production, media and creative management teams as on-site communication and planning hubs. dbnAudile and Tube supplied flight cases with STS Tour