PLASA Show's first year at Olympia sees the show showcasing the latest technology in Olympia's National Hall and the Gallery floor above, with the two seminar theatres, product demos and interactive showcases also situated on the Gallery floor.
As always, every session at the PLASA 2016 Seminar Programme is free-to-attend, with subjects including audio, lighting, AV, staging and business skills being covered. The first 15 have been confirmed and include the return of LSI journalist Phil Ward's popular panel sessions. As always they include a variety of interesting new topics, including immersive sound technologies, managing perimeter sound and mixing on tablet computers.
"I've chosen this year's panel discussions based on a handful of topics that have really caught my eye as LSi magazine reports, month-in month-out, on the industry's activities," says Phil. "Some keep coming round every time, but there are always new voices to join the conversation. I'm sure that the panels will once again represent the most authoritative of these voices."
Zoe Milton from the Association of Sound Designers (ASD) is another returning presenter, with a session titled Pin The Mic On The Actor. This has featured in the PLASA Show Seminar Programme before and received such a good response that the organisation has asked her to run it again. The ASD will also be hosting further seminars on sound design, while another audio-themed session guaranteed to inspire healthy debate will be Soulsound's Jon Burton asking Is It Time To Say Goodbye To Analogue?
A further session hosted by Soulsound will be looking at fundamental issues of a different kind, as Justin Grealy presents his thoughts on Roadie Etiquette, while actress and arts marketing specialist Samantha Baines will be running a masterclass on the most effective use of social media for freelancers.
Of course, the PLASA 2016 Seminar Programme will have plenty for visual specialists. A highlight is guaranteed to be renowned lighting designer Durham Marenghi describing the journey taken to create the lighting production for the opening and closing ceremonies of July's Rio Olympics, while James Simpson from the Royal Opera House will be discussing visualisation technologies.
"I'm delighted to be involved in the PLASA 2016 Seminar Programme and have the opportunity to share some major new developments in visualisation technologies with the PLASA community," says James.
The full PLASA 2016 Seminar Programme will be announced in mid-July. For more information and to register interest in attending any of the sessions, please visit the PLASA Show Website.
(Jim Evans)
