UK - Following the successful formula first introduced at the recent ISE 2023 show in Barcelona - whereby non-attendees could share, remotely, the same product launch experience as those who made the trip to Barcelona, Martin Audio has laid out its stall for a similar online experience in advance of its biannual open days. These will take place at their High Wycombe HQ, the difference this time being that the visitor experience will take place within the company’s newly refurbished facility.
“The international launch of our new Torus 8 in Barcelona was very much an experiment in the way we presented new products to both the market and the media,” said director of marketing, James King. “Fortunately both the real-world attendance at our booth and our demo room, alongside the number of logins and catch-up replays to the two streamed events fully vindicated our decision

UK - Crew network and entertainment industry research and insights company Entourage Pro has published a report based on members’ feelings and predictions for the year ahead.
In conjunction with technical industry measurement, and with input from the global freelance crew community, manufacturers, rental houses and key industry stakeholders from the live entertainment sector, The Industry Report 2023 has sought to provide some context around members hopes, fears and considerations on topics such as the cost-of-living crisis, mental health, diversity, prediction, industry sentiment and pay.
Over 1000 respondents took part in the survey, providing a comprehensive and detailed sample range for the purpose of the report.
“We’ve spent a lot of time speaking to industry bodies, crew members, suppl

USA - The Long Reach Long Riders and Behind the Scenes will host their annual fundraising raffle at the USITT Conference 16-18 March in St. Louis, MO. This year’s raffle will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Long Reach Long Riders annual charity motorcycle ride. The Riders, who have raised over $1,000,000 for charity in their years of touring, will be riding 3-9 June in sunny Southern California.
The Behind the Scenes Boutique will also be open for business during the show featuring an assortment of industry-themed holiday decorations and the famous Long Reach Long Rider T-shirts and kazoos.
The booth will feature the Behind the Scenes Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative which provides tools and resources to support entertainment industry workers and promote mental health and psychological safety. Posters with information on suicide prevention, bully

UK - PLASA is set to host a Member Business Forum at the Victory Services Club in London on Wednesday 29 March. The forum will feature guest speakers to discuss ways of building culture, continuity and resilience.
PLASA members can attend the forum free-of-charge, with up to two members of your team able to attend. Non-members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets from Monday 13 March for £55+VAT.
The Member Business Forum will offer an afternoon of keynote talks from respected business leaders, followed by an evening of networking and drinks. Attendees will gain actionable advice on how to improve their business practices. Plus, they will meet like-minded industry professionals.
William Rogers MBE has been confirmed as the keynote speaker to deliver a talk on Leading Culture Change. He appeared in the Sunday Times Top 100 Best Leader of a mid-siz

Switzerland – The LIT Lighting Design Awards is now accepting submissions for its annual event, recognising and celebrating the best in lighting design from around the world.
For the 7th edition, the LIT Lighting Design Awards is now featuring a new section dedicated to entertainment lighting design. This award is a billed as a cross-disciplinary platform from which to promote your designs to a truly international market’.
With 31 categories in architectural lighting design, 15 categories in entertainment lighting design and 44 categories in lighting product design represented, the programme aims to ‘unite creativity, and innovation’.
In 2022, the programme received over 650 submissions from 51 countries. L'Observatoire International was awarded the Lighting Design of the Year title for the Hermès’ collections at Milan Design Week 2022 and Expolight w

UK - Now in its 15th year, PLASA Focus Leeds is set to return to the Royal Armouries for another year from 9-10 May. Free to attend, the popular regional event connects thousands of professionals with many of the biggest names in live entertainment technology.
With a sold-out show floor, PLASA Focus Leeds is set to be a powerful platform for networking and discovery. 150+ brands representing pro audio, AV, lighting, rigging and staging will span two halls, offering visitors to opportunity to see new products up close while speaking face to face with potential new suppliers.
Headline sponsor Ambersphere will showcase the latest from Astera, Ayrton, MA Lighting, Robert Juliat, and Zactrack. Lighting professionals can also look forward to meeting Artistic Licence, Avolites, Chauvet Professional, ETC, GLP UK, Robe, and Vari-Lite.
Top quality pro audio is also on offe

Spain - Returning to its normal January/February timeslot in the AV calendar, ISE 2023 had 58,107 attendees from 155 countries, alongside record-breaking occupation in the city’s hotels, bars and entertainment venues, and with exhibitors reporting ‘unparalleled footfall’ on booths across the show floor.
Mike Blackman, managing director of Integrated Systems Events, commented: “It’s been an extraordinary week and it’s hugely gratifying for us to look back and realise we’ve delivered an exceptional show for our industry and the wonderful city of Barcelona.
“We’ve had unprecedented visitor levels to the show, so much inspiring content and features on display, and ground-breaking visits from the King of Spain on Tuesday and the President of Catalonia on Thursday to add both a royal and a political seal of approval to the show. This week at ISE 2023 confir

Spain - LED screen manufacturer Alfalite received the visit of His Majesty King Felipe VI on the first day of ISE. The Spanish manufacturer is exhibiting at the Digital Signage and DooH Zone in Hall 6 (stand 6H310).
Jesús Cabrera, CEO of Alfalite, was among the team welcoming Felipe VI. During his visit, Felipe VI praised Alfalite for their innovations in LED technology.
Jesús Cabrera says, "We feel honoured by the King’s visit to our company stand at ISE. We shared a brief talk about the company, its products and innovations. And we took the opportunity to invite him to visit our plant in Huelva."
The Spanish manufacturer has 20+ years of experience designing and manufacturing LED screens for advertising, shows, television and conference rooms with the most sophisticated technology. Its innovations for the display market include technologies like ORIM or Mo

UK - New professional training which provides the latest guidance on the In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (ISITEE) – including why the term ‘PAT Testing’ should now be considered a thing of the past – has been announced.
Presented by James Eade, expert on electrical power safety for entertainment environments, the popular JET 2377 courses will be available in Bristol on 15-16 February and again on 17-18 May 2023.
The course brings attendees up to date with the important changes introduced by the revised 5th edition of the IET Code of Practice on In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment, written by James himself. Among the major developments that everyone should be aware of is that what was commonly called ‘PAT testing’ – the process of inspection and checks on equipment while in-service – is now out of da

Spain - A new feature for ISE 2023 which opened in Barcelona this morning, the Audio Demo Rooms in Hall 8 will showcase the latest innovations from leading audio brands.
Exhibiting brands including AED Group, Coda Audio, d&b audiotechnik, Holoplot, Martin Audio, Pioneer PRO AUDIO and Void Acoustics will provide rotational live demos throughout each day, including an exclusive guest appearance with Coda Audio from French electro musician and composer, Jean-Michel Jarre.
The launch of the Audio Demo Rooms follows a period when ISE worked closely with a group of leading audio companies to conceptualise and produce this exciting new show floor feature. Each demo room has been specifically tailored to the requirements of each manufacturer, ensuring optimal listening conditions for visitors.
Mike Blackman, ISE managing director, comments, “We are delighted that w

UK - The Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT) has announced the launch of the Make A Difference conference, an annual proactive conference day committed to finding solutions to current industry issues. The conference will be more than simply talking and will ask attendees to commit to taking action and developing strategies to achieve solutions for the issues discussed.
The first conference will be held on Friday 21 April 2023 in the Ambassadors Lounge, Lyceum Theatre, 21 Wellington Street, London WC2E 7RQ with thanks to Ambassador Theatre Group for their support of this event. The theme for this year’s discussion is Solving our industry’s recruitment & retention crisis.
The conference has been developed to continue the joined-up thinking that is happening in the many ABTT seminars which are convened throughout the year and at the ABTT Thea

Spain - BikeFest returned to Spain last week, cycling over 360km towards ISE in Barcelona, and so far has raised an astonishing £40,000 for industry charities Backup Tech, Music Support and Stagehand along the way.
The now annual event has garnered huge support from across the live AV and events industry, in both the UK and Spain. Organised by #WeMakeEvents, PLASA and AFIAL, the 2023 edition of BikeFest Spain was proudly sponsored by Ayrton, AVIXA, d&b Group, EARPRO, Fantek, ISE, SOJC and Total Solutions Group.
Piers Shepperd, Backup Tech Chair, Technical Director of Wonder Works, and BikeFest member, says, “I’ve been amazed by the widespread support for BikeFest and Backup Tech, as well as our fellow industry charities Music Support and Stagehand. It's been a delight - making new friends, and catching up with old ones, but most importantly riding in a way

Spain - 22 live event and AV professionals are ready to cycle up to 390km from Valencia to ISE in Barcelona this weekend. Together as the BikeFest team, they are raising vital funds for industry charities Backup Tech, Music Support and Stagehand.
Organised by #WeMakeEvents, PLASA and AFIAL, BikeFest Spain is in its second year. Last year’s debut saw a team of 10 head toward the empty Fira de Barcelona exhibition centre, where ISE should have been taking place, poignantly showcasing the impacted live events sector.
However, this year’s BikeFest will head towards a thriving trade event – but not before taking in the stunning Mediterranean coastline. 18 members of the team cycle the entire route over three days, with the remaining four joining for the final 95km on the last day. The team represents the span of the live sector, including companies such as Bishopsou

Spain - Shure will be back for another year as an ISE conference audio partner and platinum sponsor to support the AV gathering and demonstrate its latest solutions for the AV conferencing and professional audio industry.
“With today’s flexible workforce and innovative office environments, high-quality audio is one of the most integral aspects of facilitating effective collaboration - yet it often gets overlooked,” said Chris Schyvinck, president and chief executive officer at Shure. “We recognise that AV integrators and IT managers face unique challenges when it comes to finding the right conferencing systems. At ISE, we’re excited to showcase how we support this modern workforce with our audio solutions.”
Shure will showcase a range of conferencing solutions, and partnerships at the show, including Microflex Ecosystem which offers the complete portfolio o

Spain - In just two weeks’ time, Creative Technology EME’s CEO, Dave Crump, will once again be donning his Lycra, with other fellow industry personnel and setting off on BikeFest.
Covering almost 400km along the Mediterranean coastline, Dave and around 20 industry peers, will take on this impressive ride raising vital funds for industry charities, Backup Tech, Music Support, and Stagehand.
Starting in Valencia on 27 January, the team will cycle 140km on day one to Peñiscola, followed by 130km on day two to Tarragona, and a final 95km on day three to Barcelona, finishing at Barcelona Fira on 29 January to mark the start of ISE 2023.
“As those who know me know, I’m an occasional cyclist, and a huge supporter or Backup and the work done by ‘We Make Events’ during and since the pandemic. This will be a tough but amazing journey,” he says, “but I am s

UK - Production Futures is an initiative created to provide opportunities for young people to learn, train, network, and develop real careers in production across every area of the live event, music, touring, theatre, TV, broadcast and film industries
As part of its continuing programme of On Tour live events, Production Futures will visit Nottingham’s Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies on 23 January, in company with industry experts and brand partners including manufacturers Sennheiser, Avolites, ChamSys, Chauvet Professional, Shure, Nexo, disguise, Brompton Technology, TAIT, Roe Visual, Riedel Communications, and Vectorworks, as well as a number of leading supply and production companies.
Part of Nottingham Trent University (NTU), Confetti has two campuses, one in Nottingham and a new one in East London, scheduled to open this September. Production Futures

Europe - In the next phase of Power Logistics’ ambitious plans for expansion, the temporary power specialist has appointed a European director to lead its newly opened office in Maastricht, Netherlands.
Experienced international sales and marketing professional, Patrick Elissen, will be spearheading the company’s EMEA operation from the centrally located office. Situated in close proximity to both the German and Belgian borders, the new office is just a short hop from many major European cities.
The news follows the company’s announcement in November that it had established a permanent base in Cork, Ireland, and is part of an ongoing programme of growth that will see Power Logistics build on its market-leading reputation for driving innovative, sustainable solutions forward across the globe.
Commenting on his appointment, Power Logistics’ European direct

UK - Chauvet Professional entered the holiday season with a full head of steam, anchoring shows for headliners at major arenas throughout the country. Now with the turning of the calendar page, the UK team is embarking on another tour, not in support of a musical artists, but to give lighting professionals a first-hand look at some of the company’s new IP65-rated products.
Beginning on Tuesday, 24 January at The Place in London, the Chauvet Professional road show will be stopping at eight different cities throughout the UK to spread the news about products like the Ovation Rêve E-3 IP outdoor ready full spectrum white and multi-colour-mixing ellipsoidal, and the new arena-grade line of Maverick Storm fixtures.
The road shows will also feature a first-time UK look at the new fixtures in the Rogue Outcast series of high-powered moving heads including The Rogue Outcast

Spain - ISE 2023 show is set to welcome more than 900 exhibitors, including around 120 first-time exhibitors who will take up 3,630sqm of floorspace at the Fira.
Those making their debuts in Barcelona will bring innovative products and solutions from across the pro AV and systems integration landscape, from smart home automation and communication and collaboration tools to transparent displays, e-paper signage and audio innovations.
One new exhibitor is Naostage, an engineering-led start-up that has created an automatic beaconless 3D tracking solution to help create immersive, interactive live experiences.
Paul Cales, CEO and co-founder of Naostage, said: “We are very excited to be exhibiting for the first time at ISE 2023, where we will launch our K System tracking solution, the industry’s first real-time 3D beaconless system of its kind. ISE is a fantastic

USA - The Conservatory of Recording Arts & Sciences (CRAS) recently hosted an in-house event with recording engineer, mixer, and record produce Bob Clearmountain and Apogee founder and CEO Betty Bennett with CRAS’ AES student section at the school’s Gilbert, Ariz. campus.
The Apogee CRAS Takeover included Apogee product demos and interactive mix sessions, alongside more intimate student discussions. Clearmountain and Roger Robindoré hosted Dolby Atmos demos in CRAS Studio D. Apogee Product Specialist George Williams showcased Apogee products and answering student questions.
“It was gratifying to interact with the inspiring, dedicated and professional students I met during our recent visit to CRAS,” said Clearmountain. “I was impressed by the facilities, especially those offered as part of the broadcast audio curriculum. After my visit, I have high hopes

UK - James Eade, a leading expert on temporary electrical power safety, particularly in event environments, is announcing the availability of his popular electrical safety training courses for 2023.
James, who has trained almost 500 professionals in event, touring, theatre, film and television during 2022 alone, is chairman of the British Standard 7909 committee and author of The IET Practitioner’s Guide to Temporary Power Systems and the IET Code of Practice on In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment (ISITEE), 5th edition.
As a leading authority on temporary power systems, James was commissioned to serve as Head of Energy for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. In this role he oversaw all energy-related procurement and management of on-site temporary power systems. The work included some significant innovations in sports events, including the (unheard of)

Germany - Prolight + Sound is cooperating with the Pro Musik association for the upcoming edition (25-28 April 2023). In the course of this, a new event stage will be created in the Portalhaus of Messe Frankfurt, where visitors will have the opportunity to talk to professional musicians, watch live showcases as well as interviews and lectures about music production and careers in the music business.
The event stage is part of the Performance + Production Hub, which offers a central contact point for all those interested in innovative forms of musical expression, creative studio and production tools, and DJing. The partnership with Pro Musik expands the Performance + Production Hub with topics around acoustic music, band performances and the symbiosis of analogue and digital sound worlds.
“Virtually everyone in the event business has a strong connection to music. Mus

USA - HYPERVSN, the Integrated 3D Holographic Display Platform manufacturer will be showing the very latest in interactive holographic solutions at CES 2023 in Las Vegas and the NRF Big Show 2023 in New York. Featuring the new HYPERVSN SmartV Digital Avatar and HYPERVSN Full Body Live-Streaming, these products are designed to ‘revolutionise customer experiences in retail and many other verticals’.
HYPERVSN recently featured Full Body Live-Streaming when they live streamed Michael Blackman managing director of Integrated Systems Europe via 3D Hologram all the way over from Oman, to the centre stage of the Talent Congress in Barcelona. This solution from HYPERVSN enabled Mr Blackman to collect the award in person, even though he was over 4000 miles away. The live streaming was created using the HYPERVSN SmartV products, with specially created image layers and visual effect

Spain - Yamaha will be showcasing a wide range of business solutions at Integrated Systems Europe (31 January-3 February at the Fira de Barcelona), which highlight the company’s expansion into multiple application markets. Delivering efficiency, scalability, speed and control, Yamaha’s comprehensive systems aim to significantly improve the workflow for systems integrators.
In recent years Yamaha has developed a comprehensive range of products for small and medium-sized installations, offering audio quality, flexibility and ease of installation with the company’s renowned reliability. Major new products for 2023 take the company’s solutions to a new level, allowing them to cater for larger, more complex projects.
Yamaha will also be highlighting a new series of AVIXA-RU accredited, pan-European training courses and showcasing its collaboration and conferencing s

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