UK - Spotlight PR has been awarded the public relations contract to promote The Event Show, now in its 16th year, which is staged over two days at Olympia in London on 25 and 26 January 2006. The industry's most comprehensive exhibition encompasses all aspects of organizing outdoor and indoor events, from small functions to international music festivals.

Karen Dodd, marketing manager for The Event Show said: "We appointed Spotlight as they have demonstrated considerable expertise in promoting large scale events and have a successful track record in generating awareness nationally both in print press and through broadcast media."

Spotlight PR's clients include Stowe Music Festival and Southport Flower Show, with both events attracting national publicity generated by the agency. Marina Efstathiou, director of Spotlight PR added: "The Event Show is an extremely pre

Computer DJ was again at PLASA with an array of new products. Of particular interest for bars and clubs as well as light and sound installers was the new Q-Play digital music system, say the company.This touch screen unit will play the required style of music for up to 365 days a year. The system incorporates bio-metric (fingerprint) security, ensuring that only those authorized to do so can change the music (or its volume). The system can be managed by venue staff or programmed remotely via an optional secure internet link.

The other product to attract a stream of visitors was the newly developed Screenfly. This software programme can be used to generate immediate adverts and other live messages on the plasma screen. Within seconds the user can display special offers; introduce new products; show menu details; etc. Screenfly can also be used interactively or to entertain customers and

Belgium - ISE (Integrated Systems Europe) 2006 has nearly doubled in size from the previous show with still over four months to go until the event itself in February 2006. At the Brussels Expo, more than 2000 sqm of extra space has been allocated to meet the increasing demand from new and existing companies. Key exhibitors who signed up over the summer were Eiki and Dataton.

These were astonishing figures for Mike Blackman, ISE 2006 managing director, he says: "We are delighted to see that the level of new business continues to grow each month. Even over the traditionally quiet summer months, we managed to sell over 200sqm of exhibition space. The interest levels and awareness of ISE 2006 is increasing all the time and, now that the website has gone live, we will be channelling our energies towards the visitor and press with a series of exciting roadshows, editorial and adv

UK - There are still a few places left for Hawthorns latest @ Home event featuring pyrotechnics and radio mics being held on Friday 7 October 2005.

There will be pyro demonstration by Le Maitre; plus Sennheiser, Sony and Trantec will be demo'ing their latest radio mics and will be on hand to offer advice throughout the afternoon. To book a place contact Hawthorn direct on: 01664 821101.

(Sarah Rushton-Read)

Germany - CAVIS - the Congress for Audio-Visual Installation Systems, which runs alongside the annual ProLight+Sound exhibition in Frankfurt, has changed its name, the organizers have announced. From 2006 it will be called Prolight+Sound Media Systems Congress. "System integration and media technology are both areas which have been successfully involved in the congress for the last three years and they are firmly established in the fair - so it was time to give this fast-growing trade-fair segment its own proper place in the congress title", says Cordelia von Gymnich, vice-president of Messe Frankfurt GmbH. "We think this is a brand-policy decision whose time has come."

A central theme running through the expert talks in 2006 will be that of "Multiple-purpose halls and arenas." Featuring some 40 sessions, the Prolight+Sound Media Systems Congress is

UK - The PLASA Show has again proved itself one of the most influential events in the industry calendar. Around 13,000 (subject to ABC audit) key industry people visited London in early September to participate in what is now the major international gathering-point for the entertainment, event and installation industries. The emphasis was very much on business, with exhibitors not only generating significant leads, but also reporting an unprecedented number of orders being placed.

As in previous years, the Show had a strong international profile with a third of exhibitors based outside the UK, and an increasing international visitor attendance, which is now nudging the 30% mark.

One of the key reasons for the Show's continued momentum is its focus on new developments and its ongoing investment in interactive feature areas, awards that recognize the best design work in the indu

UK - The Solent was the location for AIR 2005, the newly-launched Audio Industry Regatta, held this year on 24-25 September. Formerly known as the DAMMSTY weekend, this annual event has been organized since 1989 by Ken Walker and Brenda White. The DAMMSTY sailing trophy, introduced in 1993, is awarded in memory of Dave Martin of Martin Audio.

This weekend raises money and awareness for the Elizabeth Foundation for Deaf Children. Based in the Portsmouth area, the Elizabeth Foundation offers support nationwide to deaf children, from birth to five years old, and their parents.

This year's splash and dash event was held over two days, with 13 sponsored boats from the pro audio world competing over five races. Saturday evening's fundraiser event at Gunwharf Quays included dinner, auction, raffle and the obligatory pop quiz, all washed down with more than the odd tot of rum.<

UK - Showsec looked after 2,000 soul fans at the Jazz FM Northern Soul Night held in Blackburn's King George's Hall last month, as part of the company's long term relationship with the venue. This was the first of six such events to run this winter and all genres of soul music were included on the playlist across the venue's three rooms.

Blackburn Borough Council, which owns and manages King George's Hall, brought in Showsec five years ago, to manage the safety and security for all events held in the venue. For the Northern Soul night, Showsec brought in eight SIA licensed stewards and five additional stewards to cover the entrance, ticket stalls and monitor throughout the inside of the venue.

Area Manager Alan Wallace oversaw the operations, with Showsec's specialist staff working alongside the venue's in-house team. He commented: "Working in local venues is a vit

Czech Republic - The Prague Quadrennial 2007 ( PQ 07) takes place in the Czech capital city from 14-24 June, 2007. The organizers report that they have confirmed a record-breaking number of 52 countries who will exhibit there. First-time participants will include artists from Georgia, Ireland, Singapore and Malaysia. In addition, Portugal and the Philippines will return.

Fifty countries will feature in the Section of National Exhibitions, 26 countries in the Section of Architecture and Technology and 38 in the Student Section - Scenofest.

Further information about the Heart of the PQ exhibition now touring the globe, as well as the PQ installation displayed in the framework of the Salon of Czech Scenography exhibition in Prague can be found on the official website below.

(Jim Evans)

UK - The third 2005 Scottish Lighting Show was another major success, according to organisers and hosts black light. The well-attended event was held on 23rd and 24th September at the Granton Lighthouse, Edinburgh.

"We had more exhibitors and a wider range of products than ever," says black light managing director Gavin Stewart. "This year's move to the Lighthouse was a major step up as it provided much more space, it was very visually pleasing and created a really good personal atmosphere."

Having previously been held at black light's own premises, the move to the nearby lighthouse meant that the company's day to day business could also carry on unhindered. "We had to run a broadband line from our building and miles of power cabling, but that sort of thing is what we do every day," continues Gavin. "The staff at the lighthouse were keen to h

France - The 24th SIEL, France's leading exhibition for the live entertainment and events markets, will be held from 12-15 February 2006 in Expo-Porte de Versailles in Paris. SIEL has for two years now been offering shows on two separate floors: SIEL Live Entertainment and SIEL Nightlife.

"As a major gathering of the pro audio industry, architects and designers attending SIEL Live Entertainment will have access to all of the market solutions and be able to choose the right equipment for using lights or video to the greatest effect," says a spokesman.

SIEL Spectacle is also organizing a series of conferences dedicated especially to applying live entertainment techniques to other fields.

(Jim Evans)

UK - LD Andy Hurst specified 48 James Thomas PixelLine 1044s and 10 PixelLine 110s for M People's Another Night in Heaven! tour. The 1044s were arranged in four specially made frames each holding 12 fixtures and the 110s were used to upright a large silver upstage drape.

The frames were hidden behind the backline and then lifted into view half way through the performance of Open Up Your Heart for maximum impact. Hurst created a series of pulsing hearts across the PixelLine wall by first making the heart shapes in PixelDrive and then applying a zoom chase to animate them. The fixtures were then used as a high-impact effects surface, with Hurst crafting very specific PixelLine looks and patterns for each relevant song via his PixelDrive software.

All lighting equipment was supplied by PRG Birmingham and the crew were Nigel "Skippy" Monk (chief), Pat Fitzs

USA - Stage Lighting Super Saturday, a full-day of seminars, workshops, and "inspiration" for stage lighting designers and technicians will take place in New York City on January 7, 2006 at Pace University's downtown New York campus, now the home of the Bravo Network's Inside the Actor's Studio.

Strand Lighting has announced that it will underwrite Ken Billington's presentation at the event. Tim Burnham, president of Strand says: "Strand Lighting is pleased to participate in Super Saturday. We are particularly honoured to sponsor Ken Billington's keynote address."

Pace University will host the seminar sessions in its Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts, opposite City Hall. The intensive programme will consist of a full day of training in stage lighting and equipment.

There will also be a manufacturers' showcase with technical personnel on h

UK - Following the popularity and professionalism of last year's show, Stage Electrics once again worked with Dave Roxburgh and his team at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) to present the Stage Electrics Tradeshow in Cardiff on 5 October. This year there was almost a 40% increase in the number of visitors. The RWCMD Bute Theatre was transformed with the help of a team of hardworking students. The students' work is assessed and contributes towards one of four production placement grades for the second year of their studies.

Stage Electrics' major suppliers were on hand to demonstrate their latest products and services. Exhibiting at the show were Martin highlighting their new MAC700, Rosco / DHA whose stand was manned by Ron Knell and Steve Ramos on his inaugural exhibition for Rosco, Zero88, Strand, ETC, Pulsar, Selecon, RCF, Audio-Technica, Sennheiser, Lee Fil

China - The 4th Music China and 3rd Prolight + Sound Shanghai open this Wednesday - 19 October - at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre in Pudong, Shanghai.

Music China will house around 750 manufacturers and suppliers of musical instrument and accessories. Prolight + Sound Shanghai, with around 170 exhibitors, will show a good range of pro-audio and specialist lighting equipment. Together the events are expected to attract well over 35,000 retailers, wholesalers, dealers, distributors and musicians.

Music China 2005 will house "the largest offering of musical instruments and accessories to be found anywhere in Asia". As well as national pavilions from Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Taiwan, Spain and the UK, some of the world's leading names in MI will be at the show.

Prolight + Sound Shanghai will feature exhibitors from eleven countries & regions, includ

UK - Event freight specialist EFM, has appointed David Simmill as its new operations manager. Simmill, who has been involved with logistics operation for twelve years, is being brought in to support all four divisions of the company, working across the music, promotions, sports and exhibition logistics divisions to streamline current operations and develop new logistics channels.

Simmill's background includes overseeing a European network between 10 different offices, with complete responsibility for two UK offices. His experience spans air, ocean and road freight in the high profile automotive and aerospace industries.

"My move to EFM, as a company looking to develop, means an exciting time ahead," says Simmill. The diverse clients we work with, with a variety of challenges they each face put the company in a unique position to have the very best logistical faciliti

USA - For the third year running, Los Angeles-based Visions Lighting helped create the party atmosphere for Spanish-language radio station Super Estrella's annual Reventón concert at The Pond in Anaheim.

Working with Reventón's lighting designer, Chris Reade, Visions Lighting erected an intricate overhead truss structure that dominated the look of the event. The lighting rig itself included 32 Martin Professional MAC 2000 fixtures, 19 Atomic 3000 strobes, 24 High End Studio Color fixtures, 24 Studio Beam fixtures and 20 Molefays.

Visions Lighting, worked around the clock for three days to make Reventón happen. Each of the nine Latin artists playing at this year's event, several of whom had their own lighting designer, played anywhere from a 20 to 50 minute set.

"It's difficult to describe just what Reventón is like for someone who's never experienced it," remar

UK - AnswerBack Interactive, the audience interaction specialists won the Live Event of the Year category in the AV Awards 2005, through its work with Celador International on the Summer 2005 regional theatre tour of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Live.

At the same event, AnswerBack was also awarded the Grand Prix - an award given to a project that delivers the best documented results to the user company, or shows how technical innovation can be best applied.

Guy Freeman, Managing Director of Celador Music & Events, said "We are delighted that AnswerBack won these awards for their work on this key project for us. They delivered to time and budget and provided us with an extremely good quality and cost effective solution that enabled us to launch a unique and exciting new product."

Paul Krisman, MD of AnswerBack Interactive, commented "I am thrilled to h

UK - Electrosonic was awarded four top accolades at the 2005 UK AV Awards held recently in London. For the third year running Electrosonic was judged to be the winner of Systems Company of the Year and Service Company of the Year. The company also collected the awards for Business Installation of the Year and Consumer Installation of the Year.

Electrosonic's submission for Systems Company of the Year was based on the work achieved by its UK Solutions Business, which is a silver level CAVSP qualified company. Electrosonic Solutions divides its activities into a series of inter-connected teams covering sales consultancy, project engineering and management, systems assembly and test, installation, programming and development.

As Service Company of the Year, the turnover of the Electrosonic UK Service Business showed a 43% year-on-year tur

Germany - Over 65,000 concert-goers attended this year's Popkomm festival in Berlin, where more than 1,500 musicians from 23 different countries provided over 400 hours of live music in 30 different clubs and halls around the city. In the thick of the action was the Berlin production company TSE AG: the team lead by Marcel Fery was responsible for both the lighting and the sound at many of the main events, including one of the real highlights of this year's Popkomm, the MTV Designerama Fashion Show.

The centrepiece of the sound design, for an event that received widespread media coverage within Germany and drew a large TV audience throughout Europe, was an Electro-Voice X-Line, Midas consoles and processors and EQs from Klark Teknik.

Commented Fery: "The extremely wide stage in the Berlin Arena held no terrors for the EV system, with its coverage angle of 120 degre

World - The White Stripes tour has seen the minimalist rock duo delivering performances to sold-out crowds on several continents. Six years and five albums into their careers, the duo of Jack and Meg White show no signs of slowing down.

Detroit-based Thunder Audio has been providing the sound for much of this year's foray, based around an array of 24 Meyer Sound MILO high-power curvilinear array loudspeakers. FOH engineer Matthew Kettle, mixing the band on a Midas Heritage 3000 console, favours a stripped-down approach that calls for little in the way of effects, other than a bit of compression and a slight touch of reverb. Two LD-3 compensating line drivers provide system drive processing, while status of the loudspeakers are monitored from a laptop computer running RMS remote monitoring system software.

"The MILO rigs, in particular, have proved to be quite versatile,&q

UK - The recent opening of Carling Academy Newcastle, extends Showsec's long standing partnership with the Academy Music Group (AMG), with the UK's leading event security supplier being confirmed to develop and manage the venue's crowd management plan.

Showsec has worked closely with AMG in venues across the country for many years, delivering tailored crowd management plans. With Showsec's Northern regional manager Mark Logan continuing the healthy relationship with AMG, Showsec developed the crowd management strategies implemented in the Liverpool and Birmingham Academy venues and have now adapted these to suit Carling Academy Newcastle.

Showsec has employed a team that combines experienced managers and newly recruited local staff who have been trained to work as in-house security stewards, with newly attained SIA licences. Logan commented: "There was clearly a lot of ex

UK - Speakers at The Event Show which takes place at Olympia in London on 25-26 January 2006, will include the producers of Live 8. John Probyn, production director for Clear Channel Entertainment (UK) Music, will chair the presentation and field a question and answer session with the audience. He said: "I am looking forward to sharing with my colleagues the question I have been asking myself since Live 8 . . . just how did we manage to pull that off so successfully?"

The show will host nine seminars over two days, ranging from Reacting to the Elements, chaired by Roger Barrett, to a Spotlight on Local Authorities by the National Outdoor Events Association (NOEA). The Spotlight on Local Authorities seminar will include the implications of the new Licensing Act.

The White Book 2006 will be launched at the Show. With 40,000 listings and 470 categor

Europe - By combining the best elements of one of the largest trade communities in Professional Lighting and Sound with Europe's biggest trade show in Audio Visual Systems Integration, Integrated Systems Europe and PLASA plan to augment their knowledge of AV Systems, Lighting and Sound to turn ISE 2006 into the most stunning visual trade event ever held in Europe, the organizations have announced.

This collaborative effort is the result of a joint co-operation agreement to establish a framework to heighten the awareness and importance of AV systems integration in the rental and staging environment by harnessing the influence and standing of a major trade show with the world-leading Professional Lighting and Sound Association.

To demonstrate this, PLASA, in conjunction with their publications Lighting&Sound International and Lighting&Sound America, will be organizing the Lighti

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