April 2010 will be the second time that venue owners, consultants, show designers, producers and technicians working on the North's leading events, installations and venues have a dedicated event where they can meet and find the new technologies to use in future facilities and productions.
Over 100 manufacturers from all over the world will be on show and the free Education and Learning Programme that runs alongside the exhibition brings world class professional knowledge to the North of England's doorstep. A big hit with visitors this year, the programme is being expanded for 2010. You can find technical advice, hear from the teams behind high profile productions and listen to visionaries in their fields talk about the future of pro-audio, lighting, AV and stage technologies.
"PLASA Focus: Leeds has become the annual creative hub of a thriving industry community in the North," says event manager Sophie Atkinson. "Visitors and exhibitors love the fact that they have a top quality event, which brings the global reach of the PLASA organisation to the heart of the North of England.
"As last year shows, this is a very friendly and social occasion which presents a great opportunity for people to get together and see new technology in the North, there's something for everyone from chairman to technicians. Everyone who wants to share in the unique spirit it's creating should be there - so now's the time so get online and sign up!"
She adds, "71 per cent of our visitors this year came from the North of England, with others travelling from even further, and exhibitors were delighted to field questions from a lot of committed arts and entertainment students who represent the future of the industry. Their enthusiasm will be every bit as welcome next spring. We were also pleased to see the list of major theatres, venues, leisure attractions and broadcasters that joined us and we'll be inviting everybody back again this year."
Endorsing the 2009 PLASA Focus show, Ashley Lewis of Clay Paky said, "We knew this show was going to be good - quite a number of us had spoken about it and we were all correct. As soon as the doors were open it was busy; it's been busy all day and it's been serious people and we've had time to talk to them all."
Tim Chapman of Lab.gruppen commented, "The first three people I met at the show this morning were customers of ours who I'd never had the opportunity of meeting before. A regional show like this means you can have great conversations with more of your regional end users. So we're very pleased."
Visitors can register for free now on the dedicated www.plasafocus.com/leeds website, and check out the packed exhibitor list and floor plan. Tickets are valid on both days.
(Jim Evans)
