Germany - The three-day International Stage Technology Conference takes place in Berlin from 9 to 11 June 2015. The international conference organised by Deutsche Theatertechnische Gesellschaft (DTHG) comprises 130 events. Topics will include theatre planning, scenography/design, make-up, international projects, exhibition design and museum technology, media technology and sustainability, safety, stage technology, sound systems and lighting. Simultaneous interpreting into English and German will be available at the events.

On 9 June, Brigitte Zypries, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy, will open the symposium under the heading of Theatres and cultural spaces - urban centres and their continuous metamorphosis and cultural adaptation in the 21st century by delivering a keynote speech.

At the symposium a variety of concepts will

UK - Vauxhall Holiday Park in Great Yarmouth has invested over £300,000 in East Anglia's new premier music locale; the new V-Arena entertainment venue.

The new venue has the capacity to hold just over 2,000 people with a host of artists planned to perform in 2015.

The main PA system used for all the weekender events and the major events in the five star park's own calendar is a d&b audiotechnik system from Reboss Services comprising of 24 C7s and 8 B2 Subs. Dedicated solely to Vauxhall Holiday Park, the system uses exclusively Van Damme cabling from UK cable specialist VDC Trading.

Also installed by Reboss Services in the V Arena at Vauxhall Holiday Park are two independent Van Damme multicore systems. The first comprises a 48 way analogue multicore with a separate 8-way return, all on VDM multi-pin connectors at both ends with a comprehensive VDC splitter system total

Germany - MDG, the manufacturer of premiere fog, haze and low fog generators, celebrated its 35th anniversary at Prolight+Sound, Frankfurt with the release of three new fog generators.

The Me Series has been designed as the next stage in MDG's evolution of fog and represents a new family of generators with a higher degree of controllability and a powerful output from a compact chassis.

Me1 is the smallest of the Me family with a single nozzle output that can produce up to 100m3 (3,521 ft3) of fog per minute. It is unique in offering a MAX 3000 configuration setting.

Me2 is the powerful twin of the Me1, housed in the same size chassis but with twice the power and a dual output of 200m3 (7,063 ft3) per minute.

Me4's powerful quadruple output produces up to 400m3 (14,126 ft3) of fog per minute and is the ideal generator for applications requiring seriously high quantities of

UK - The Technical Department Ltd, a specialist electrical contractor providing generators, switchgear, transformers, cabling and lighting for events worldwide, are a proud Bronze Corporate Benefactor of the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion in Kensington Gardens, London.

"The Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2015 has been designed by SelgasCano, our team look forward to supporting them later this year," the company says.

UK / Belgium - As AED Master Distribution, with its HQ in Belgium, continues to expand to new territories with brands such as High End Systems and QSC Pro Audio, the company has recently added a couple of new profiles to its team.

The first new team member is Paul Young, who has been appointed as Brand Manager Rigging. Paul brings over 20 years' of the Live Entertainment sector and a wealth of experience gained in rigging and stage lighting to the position.

AED Distribution currently distributes some of the industry's leading rigging brands including the Prolyte trussing & staging range and Columbus McKinnon hoists, and wishes to add Young's experience to this rapidly growing area of their business. His role will primarily be to manage the brands and the link between manufacturer and the expanding AED sales team to ensure end users benefit from a truly focussed relationship wi

UK - Acorn Event Structures has been awarded the prestigious contract to provide the complete staging package for the UK's No.1 electronic music festival - Creamfields. Held on the August back holiday, Creamfields is now considered the premier electronic music festival in the UK and attracts an audience of 70,000 to its Daresbury Estate venue.

Acorn will supply two 60m wide outdoor stage roofs using their Space Roof product combined with steel truss video wings to support 730sq.m of LED screen. Each main stage will be supplied complete with a newly designed cowshed arrangement, front-of-house structures and delay towers. In addition to the main stages, Acorn will also provide over 900sq.m of standalone stage platforms and wheelchair user platforms across 8 indoor arenas at the festival using its modular Layher decking system.

Ian Greenway, director of production company LarMac

UK - Rope Assemblies has announced that Linda Martin has been promoted to operations director.

Linda started with Rope Assemblies in October 2006 and during her time as operations manager has taken the company through ISO9001:2008 and recently also achieved the EN795 standard for anchor strops.

"Linda is an invaluable member of the team and has been instrumental in achieving the Quality Standards for the company and the development of new exciting products. We all wish her all the very best in her new role," says the company.

(Jim Evans)

Germany - UK based motion control specialist Kinesys launched its new Pathfinder system at Prolight+Sound in Frankfurt which was a great success.

The energy levels in Hall 9 of the Messe exhibition centre and specifically on and around the Kinesys booth were definitely up on 2014, and once again, the brand attracted a lot of interest from multiple market sectors and visitors from all over the world.

The launch of Pathfinder reinforced Kinesys' confidence in the exhibition as a major international gateway for the entertainment technology industry. It also built on the last 12 months' drive to get the brand further established within new territories, of which the company's inaugural Prolight exhibition in 2014 was an integral part.

"We were exceptionally pleased with the interest in Pathfinder and in Kinesys generally," underlines MD Dave Weatherhead.

"Followi

UK - From its award-winning venue, to its business only focus and change in opening hours, PLASA 2015 has its sights firmly set on providing a show that delivers on every level.

"This will be our third year at London's ExCeL," says Christopher Toulmin, director of Events Division at PLASA. "Relocating events is never an easy decision to make but the closure of Earls Court made it inevitable. Our move to ExCeL- the only venue in London that can fully support the technical requirements of our industry- has proved the right decision and has enabled us to pursue our exciting plans for development."

With a track record of hosting world-leading events such as PLASA London, ExCeL is the UK's largest exhibition and conference venue and a compelling destination for business professionals. Part of a 100 acre campus, ExCeL boasts easy transport links to central London

UK - As one of Prolyte's distributors for the UK, AED Distribution UK are uniquely placed to provide a raft of solutions to Prolyte users by combining services from the AED Toolbox with the Prolyte trussing & staging offering.

First of those solutions is free product training and support. On 22 and 23 April a Prolyte Campus was held at the Distribution UK facility located in High Wycombe.

Over 20 professionals attended during the two days, taking away a variety of hands-on experience and real-life experiments.

The Campus is a Prolyte Group driven initiative to support its customers with the best and most up-to-date knowledge available. Providing the tools and training to use the Prolyte Group products safely and in compliance with applicable standards and regulations will help them in performing better.

Prolyte Campus offers a complete programme of learning activities to c

UK - Cliff Electronics continues to expand their range of internationally renowned audio jack sockets with a number of new product introductions.

The new S1 industry standard ¼" offset nose space saving narrow body jack socket offers equipment manufacturers higher PCB packing densities. The S1 may be specified with an optional integral chassis grounding contact which connects to the barrel of plug for maximum earth continuity ensuring lowest noise signals and maximum safety. The new offset nose jack socket is available in all nose thread variants. Applications for this new space saving jack socket include musical instruments and amplifiers, effects pedals and all audio equipment where space is at a premium.

Extending their range of 3.5mm jack sockets Cliff have introduced the S9 range of stereo switched jack sockets. The S9 features contacts engineered with advanced cont

Germany - Entertainment motion control systems expert XLNT Advanced Technologies enjoyed a busy and successful Prolight+Sound show in Frankfurt with the launch of CyberHoist II, the second generation of the world's first intelligent, variable speed chain hoist.

The system has been designed for heavy-duty, worldwide touring and large-scale events. Already proven to be an instant hit with safety conscious professionals across the world, it went out on several productions immediately after initial customers took delivery. Amongst those was the Linkin Park tour, where it delivered fast and precise automation of the arena show's moving elements.

"We were delighted to have Ingo Koenzen, show operator for the recent Linkin Park tour, on stand with us at ProLight," says XLNT's Director of Sales and Marketing Marc van der Wel. "He, along with Sebastian Habrechtsmeier, Cy

Denmark / USA - Neets is entering the US market in cooperation with its new distributor Starin Marketing. Starin is committed to creating the foundation to make Neets Control Systems the natural choice for classroom and meeting room control by integrators.

With over 100,000 control systems deployed, Neets has focused on developing reliable, user friendly and effective room control systems for the AV-integrators around the world. Configuration of the control systems is straightforward without code complexity with Neets Project Designer software.

Starin and Neets recognize the essential trifecta in a successful integrator partnership. Reliable product, dedicated support and profitable programs. Versatility to meet the end-users individual needs is also what sets Neets apart. Neets US keypad control systems will fit into standard US back-boxes.

For over a decade, Neets has spec

UK - Hoist UK has been UKAS accredited against the provisions of OSHAS 18001: Occupational Health and Safety Management. The OSHAS 18001 accreditation adds to their ISO9001: Quality Management and ISO14001: Environmental Management accreditation obtained previously.

Hoist UK director, Tony Dickson comments, "Achieving the ISO9001, ISO14001 and OHSAS18001 is a major milestone in our overall business strategy and reflects the responsibility that Hoist UK's management team and employees have always taken to ensure that we look after our customers, employees and our business at all times in providing safe, value for money products with an emphasis on health and safety. Tony Dickson adds "Achieving this accreditation perfectly captures Hoist UK's core values of safety, excellence, respect and commitment and is embedded within every aspect of our business."

Louise Dic

Italy. - Unipol Arena in Casalecchio di Reno near Bologna is one of the most important entertainment venues in northern Italy. Opened in 1993 and seating 11,000, the indoor arena hosts a variety of events from concerts and productions to all types of sporting competitions.

Eilon Engineering's Italian distributor Molpass Stage Engineering & Multimedia Systems, based in Bologna, has installed an Eilon Ron StageMaster (RSM) load monitoring system in the arena to monitor overhead loads and reduce the risk of rigging accidents due to overloads caused by unequal load distribution. Molpass, which has been an Eilon distributor since 2008, has designed and distributed high-tech multimedia systems, stagecraft equipment and safety solutions for all types of installations and events since 1995.

Molpass CEO and engineer Giorgio Molinari has taken upon himself the task of improving safety w

UK - Play Deep Studios - a brand new boutique recording studio in London's Kings Cross - opened its doors on April 17. The studio is the culmination of a two and half year project by owner and engineer, Canadian-British DJ Zachary Spider Brown-Smith (aka Spydabrown). Designed and built by Zach and his tech, he chose Van Damme cabling throughout, using a variety of types including Black Tourgrade, Blue Series, Green Digi Series and VD Video Coax. All supplied by VDC Trading along with assemblies and connectors. Uniquely, the studio features an Otari 54 Series 36 mixing desk, the only one of its kind in the UK.

Spydabrown commented on the cable choice: "I was recommended Van Damme cable, with everyone saying it is the best, and I must say I have not been disappointed. The team at VDC Trading did a great job of keeping me supplied."

Designed to be a cosy and chic record

UK -The Technical Theatre Awards' nominations close on Wednesday 13 May - so now's the time to ensure someone's outstanding achievements working behind the scenes are celebrated.

Anyone working in theatre industry can nominate their colleagues, crew members or favourite hire company. This is your opportunity to highlight why your chosen nominee stands out from the rest and deserves some recognition. It only takes a few minutes to nominate at www.technicaltheatreawards.com

Nominations will officially close during PLASA Focus in Leeds. Following this, organiser Ian Taylor will be inviting a panel of independent industry figures to shortlist the nominations. This is a new initiative for 2015, as suggested by TTA supporters as a way to improve the awards process.

Voting for the UK awards will open during the ABTT Trade Show on Wednesday 24 June 2015 at Alexandra Palace in London

Spain / UAE - After Prolight+Sound 2015 in Frankfurt, Guil confirmed their new distributor in the United Arab Emirates as Echo Beats Electronics - a company with a long history in distribution and installation of pro audio and lighting products.

Guil products will now form part of their high end portfolio, with emphasis on their lifting towers for line arrays and modular platforms for stages.

"Guil is delighted to start working with such a prestigious company and we are sure our products will be well received in their extremely conscientious market where high performance, safety and quality are the key to satisfying their customer's needs," says Eduardo Hinarejos, sales director of Guil.

Echo Beats Electronics will present Guil products at PALME Middle East Dubai from 11-13 May, at booth: ZC10.

(Jim Evans)

Europe - XLNT Advanced Technologies' new CyberHoist II made its touring debut with US nu-metal mega-stars Linkin Park when the band returned to head-banging basics on their sold out European tour, The Hunting Party.

Show designer Michael Fullman worked with event technology supplier, Black Box Music to transfer the show from the USA to Europe. As the show transitioned from the US specified automation system to XLNT's CyberHoist II for Europe, Fullman says he was keen to reinvigorate elements of the original design.

Black Box Music's Moritz Stockschläder worked closely with the production and says, "It was great to be the first company to supply a full CyberHoist II system in Europe and on such a dynamic and exciting tour. For many reasons CyberHoist II, with its silent, smooth, unrivalled accuracy, proved to be the ideal solution."

Fullman concurs, "We rehear

UK - Debuts are to the fore at this year's PLASA Focus: Leeds, with more and more exhibitors choosing it as the UK launch pad for new product releases, including Cadac's new CDC six and DiGiCo's S21 mixing consoles, Meyer Sound's Leopard loudspeaker system and Zero88's FLX lighting console.

At the entrance to New Dock Hall, Martin Professional is displaying its new VDO Sceptron indoor/outdoor LED strips, which come with a choice of diffusers, the 6mm Fenix panel video and Rush 650 and 850 smoke products. Also on show are the Quantum Wash and Quantum Profile, launched last year, as well as the Aura XB, which has 50 per cent more output than the standard Aura, plus extended colour mode.

"Out of all the shows we exhibit at, this is where you can spend proper time talking to people, so we've brought representative selection of our new and current ranges," says the compan

South Africa - For the first year, Blond Productions supplied the full technical for the Main Stage and second year at Kyknet Stage at ABSA Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (Little Karoo National Arts Festival - KKNK), with extra equipment and crew supplied by MGG Productions. The Prolyte grid, with the inclusion of 12 new Prolyft Aetos 500kg motors, was lit with Robe fixtures.

The festival, some 1,120 kilometres from Johannesburg and 400 kilometres from Cape Town, is now embraced by all the towns people as accommodation is booked up with people flocking in to see theatre on a big scale - some are hosted in the 'veld' - and to enjoy the big names on stage and wonderful Little Karoo hospitality. This year's festival was hosted from 3 -11 April.

Besides the main stage, which included a line up of the top Afrikaans names in music, the entire town of Oudtshoorn was transformed for

UK - The green generators of Film & TV Services are a familiar sight on many events and are responsible for powering the location shoots and OBs of countless TV shows and sports matches across the country and around the world. It was started by Eddie and Julie Fegan back in September 1977, their first job being the fire services annual conference in Bridlington, which they lit for BBC News. The work for the BBC grew and they took on two part time staff and a transit van loaded with a couple of redheads and blondes, which ran around doing reactive news and conference work all over the country.

Around 1995, during their early years of the European Golf Tour, Julie and Eddie had been in talks with Barry Johnson from Carlton TV about building their first broadcast twinset. In conjunction with specialist coachbuilders A Smith of Great Bentley and sales manager John Evans, they built

UK - Reachmaster is a robust, easy to use mobile scaffold tower, that is suitable for a whole range of jobs, from working on low ceilings or decorating internal walls, to maintaining the outside of tall buildings.

Available now, Reachmaster offers "more working heights than virtually any other aluminium scaffold tower in its class", from 2.5m to 8.5m.

Setting up the Reachmaster is made easy, thanks to its folding base frame, which can be wheeled into position even when it's closed. Opening out the base frame and locking the folding gate is quick and easy. Braces snap into place and are colour coded for identification.

Unlike many scaffold towers, Reachmaster includes a folding base frame (measuring 1900mm x 960mm x 360mm when closed), making it compact enough to store and transport easily.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Illuminate Design has announced that from 15 May they have become dealers for the GaffGun range of products.

The GaffGun, launched in October 2014 has seen massive sales throughout the USA. Now with GaffTech the company behind it looking to branch out into overseas markets, Illuminate Design has been chosen to help this development.

The GaffGun (patent pending) is billed as "a great advancement in floor tape since gaffer tape was invented". Saving over 90% of the time to lay tape over cables or rope, The GaffGun simplifies your job while saving time, money, and your back. Cables don't even have to be straight-the GaffGun uses a funnelling system to straighten and centre your cables and then lay tape over them.

GaffTech developed the patent-pending CoreLok tape to work in unison with the GaffGun, ensuring a consistent result with every tape run. GaffGun CoreLok

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