"It was another key opportunity to communicate and explain the strong solutions that AED can offer to AV Professionals, going from Rent and Distribution, through Lease, Second Hand, Store and even the AED Studios. As Master Distributor for respected brands, we were able to discuss how we provide training and product support to truly underpin our customers so they can concentrate on their key strengths."
HOG Factor, which was organised and hosted for the first time by AED Distribution, drew a lot of attention to the AED stand on Tuesday 7 October. The Design and Programming Competition with High End Systems Luminaires and a HOG4 Console was open to full-time students currently enrolled on a Live Entertainment Technology course. Entering schools were Rose Bruford College, the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and the University of South Wales.
The five participating teams were given a piece of music chosen in advance by the judges, and a pre-determined rig of High End Systems' fixtures. Their challenge was to release their full creative talent combined with good programming skills and to program a light show.
Colin Wood, freelance lighting designer, programmer and HOG4 Family trainer and product specialist, was onsite for coaching the teams during their preparations.The jury comprised some of the most respected industry lighting professionals.
Joe Lott, Harrison Routledge, Matt Kemp & Josh Palmer from Rose Bruford CollegeTeam Hogwarts were considered to have the HOG Factor and were handed over the prize - a HedgeHog 4 console - by Nick Archdale, the original founder of Flying Pig Systems and inventor of the HOG consoles.
High End Systems kindly donated a second HedgeHog 4 to the runner up, Team 5 LXUSW.
Team Captain Joe Lott comments, "All of us in the team have broad knowledge of different lighting consoles but none of us had every used a hog. The opportunity to use it programming physical lighting fixtures, rather than work in a visualiser was really valuable. Being able to get feedback from the judges is definitely an experience that we won't forget quickly."
Frank Schotman adds, "To be able to stage the first ever HOG Factor at PLASA was a thrill and very fitting as London remains a key city for our industry. Thanks to everybody that participated in this unique experience, which we plan to repeat in the future."
* PLASA London served as the official reveal of the expansion of AED Distribution's partnership with QSC Audio products. Having worked together for 20 years in the BeNeLux, AED Distribution has now also been appointed official distributor of QSC Pro Audio products in Germany and the UK.
QSC's Systems business unit, serving the integrated systems channel, will continue to be represented by Shure Distribution. Management of QSC's Pro business unit, serving the Retail, Rental/Production and Portable PA channels, will be conveyed to AED Distribution as of 1 November 2014.
"AED has been and continues to be among our company's top distributors. They continually demonstrate an extraordinary ability to deliver results that exceed expectations," states Ray van Straten, V.P., QSC Professional. "AED's passion for the QSC brand combined with their unique, compelling range of customer-focused solutions will create myriad new opportunities to share the QSC value proposition across the region."
(Jim Evans)
