UK - In the old days you simply "stuck a strip of white gaffer on the case, wrote on it with your marker pen and loaded the case on the truck"

As often occurs, a chance conversation at a trade show in 1989 between Stuart Gibbons - Le Mark's MD and a Customer led to the invention of the now well travelled, reusable Flight Case or Road Case Label. "Correctly termed a PAL (Plastic Adhesive Laminate) Label, these ultra heavy duty customized 'stick and forget' items have become the label equivalent of a 'sticky work horse" quotes Stuart."Simple yes, underrated perhaps, however they are highly effective at getting specific Entertainment Industry items preped', packed, shipped and arriving on the right (or left) part of a stage," says the company.

"There are now very few Country's that we have not at some time built and shipped our case labels too.

Michael Jackson - Concert promoter Randy Phillips says Michael Jackson's death will not spell the end of his company, AEG Live. "People have speculated that this is going to bankrupt our company," the businessman told Billboard magazine. "The truth is, it isn't." Phillips said insurance was in place to cover Jackson's advance, although insurers may not pay out if the star's death turns out to be drug-related. He added that money could be recouped from footage of the tour rehearsals.

AEG will have to refund up to $85m (£52m) to fans who purchased tickets for Jackson's 50-date residency at London's O2 arena. It is also believed to have spent $23-25m (£14-15m) on production costs. Phillips said those "hard costs" were covered by insurance, although profits were not. Phillips admitted the biggest problem facing AEG at the moment was w

UK - The 2010 Queen's Awards for Enterprise will officially open for entries on 20 July 2009, organisers announced yesterday. Outstanding UK businesses of all sizes and from any industry sector are being urged to apply for The Queen's Awards.

Businesses that win a Queen's Award receive extensive benefits. A survey of last year's winners found that, in the first year alone three quarters experienced extra press coverage; 82% saw an increase in employee engagement; and nearly two thirds of winners in the International Trade category either increased their recognition abroad or generated new business, say the organisers.

It costs nothing to enter The Queen's Awards, and companies have until 2pm on 30 October 2009 to submit their application. Entry forms can be downloaded from The Queen's Awards website (www.queensawards.org.uk). Winners will be announced on The Queen's Birthday,

UK - Showsec played a key role in maintaining a relaxed summer festival vibe in Hyde Park this summer in sweltering weather over ten show-days.

Three days of Hard Rock Calling were headlined by Neil Young, The Killers and Bruce Springsteen, with some smaller shows on stage two preceding the Blur homecoming shows and Wireless Festival featuring Basement Jaxx and Kanye West.

At the most practical level keeping crowds cool was achieved by Showsec staff constantly distributing gallons of water to fans. Beyond that there were numerous strategies and approaches implemented to maintain calm and secure all areas of the Royal Park venue, from perimeter fence, to pit, to artists and VIP areas.

The companies head of security for the events, Simon Battersby explained: "This is the best team and security operation I have worked with in Hyde Park. We have really seen th

USA/Canada - ETCP reports that there are 10 new testing centres in Canada. All three exams are now available for computer-based testing in Ontario at Sylvan Learning Centres in the cities of Courtice, Etobicoke, Oakville, Pickering, Scarborough, Vaughn and at three locations in Mississauga.Testing is also available at Robertson College in Winnipeg, MB.

Individuals must meet eligibility requirements to take the exams and applications must be turned in to the ETCP office for approval. Once a candidate is approved, he or she will receive a letter with information on scheduling the exam. The eligibility requirements, candidate handbook and application materials can be found at http://etcp.esta.org.

(Jim Evans)

Cuban News - The UK's Royal Ballet has arrived in Havana for its first visit to Cuba. It is putting on five days of shows, featuring the company's Cuban star Carlos Acosta and a tribute to Cuban ballet legend Alicia Alonso. All the tickets were sold out within hours, as Cubans looked forward to seeing the first major ballet company since the Bolshoi almost 30 years ago. To cater for the huge demand, the performances will be shown on giant screens outside the theatre. The director of the Royal Ballet, Dame Monica Mason, said the national passion for ballet was one of the attractions of taking the company to Cuba. "Dance is central to the culture in Cuba. It's at the very heart of the Cuban people," she said. The company will perform at the Gran Teatro in central Havana the first three days, where the screens will be based. The Karl Marx Teatro will host the final two.

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UK - A.C. Entertainment Technologies has confirmed its continued status as an Official Car Sponsor of the Telmex Arden International racing team for the 2009 GP2 motor racing series. The deal, which includes both the GP2 Main Series and Asia Series, was concluded during the British race weekend at Silverstone.

The GP2 Championship is designed to equip every member of each team with the experience, knowledge and determination to succeed in Formula One and features cars running at speeds only a few seconds shy of F1 pace. For this season, Telmex Arden International opted for exciting rookie drivers Sergio Perez, Edoardo Mortara and Luiz Razia.

The deal includes logo branding on both team cars, which is in the colours of A.C.'s dedicated lighting sales division. In addition, the sponsorship provides a dynamic environment for A.C. to network with other companies at a local and int

UK - In a new initiative announced by PLASA Events Ltd, this year's PLASA Show (13-16 September, Earls Court, London) will include a new focus on developing business opportunities for the industry's service providers and consultants.

PLASA Connect, an idea developed in conjunction with RH Consulting and sponsored by L&SI magazine, will provide service-based operators - including consultants, installers and rental companies - with an opportunity to find new potential clients from a wide range of vertical markets.

People involved in large projects in many different walks of life often have very little idea of who to go to for the supply of sound and lighting equipment. The idea behind PLASA Connect is to help those people gain information and make an informed choice. The result will be a targeted business development opportunity which will bring genuine business benefits to all

France - A British stage technician has become the second fatality resulting from the collapse of a stage being constructed for a Madonna concert at the Velodrome stadium in Marseilles, France. The partially-built roof fell in yesterday evening when one of four cranes lifting the roof toppled onto the structure below it.

Although eyewitnesses said the collapse happened slowly enough for some of those below to get out of the way, a 53-year-old French worker was killed outright. A number of other people were injured in the accident, some of them seriously, including a 32-year old British man who later died after undergoing emergency surgery for severe head wounds. A US citizen was also seriously injured, while around 30 people in total were treated for minor injuries and shock. French Police have begun a criminal investigation.

Madonna's Sticky and Sweet tour was in Udine

UK - With very important issues due to be resolved in the coming months, and some impending questions needing to be answered, especially with regards to potential funding for the industry vacating channel 69 and the remainder of the 800MHz band, the BEIRG Steering Group have launched an information Group on the popular business network site Linkedin.

To access the BEIRG Group on Linkedin all you have to do is go to www.linkedin.com and sign up for free. After you have completed a very quick and easy sign-up, just search under groups for BEIRG and apply to join.

Commenting on the new Linkedin initiative, BEIRG Steering Group member Alan March said: "With the increasing amount of decisions that are starting to be made it's very important that as many people as possible come forward and give us their input. In the coming weeks

UK - MTFX recently opened their new office, based at The Television Centre at Culverhouse Cross in Cardiff, in order to be in a better position to look after their Welsh clients.

With an increasing customer base in Wales, managing director Mark Turner realised that this was a great opportunity to ensure that these customers had easier access to the MTFX group, with its wide range of equipment and services.

The contact details for the office are: MTFX Ltd (Cardiff), The Television centre, Culverhouse Cross, Cardiff, CF5 6XJ

Or you can still reach MTFX through their head office in Gloucester.

(Claire Beeson)

Stage Tragedy - Prosecutors have apparently opened a manslaughter investigation after a stage being built for a Madonna concert collapsed killing two people, a French official has said. Eight other people were seriously injured in last Thursday's accident at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille. Assistant prosecutor Marc Cimamonti said an investigation for manslaughter and involuntary injuries in a work-related accident has been opened. Madonna has said she is "devastated" by the news of the deaths.

Charles Criscenzo, a 53-year-old French worker, was killed outright in the accident and Charles Prow, a 23-year-old from Headingley in Leeds, died in hospital. Technicians had been setting up the stage at the city's Velodrome stadium when the partially-built roof fell in on Thursday, bringing down a crane.

Madonna paid tribute to the technicians at her concert in Italy on T

UK - Academy Music Group (AMG), whose shareholders include Live Nation, SJM Concerts and Metropolis Music has completed the acquisition of the Opera House in Bournemouth , following the successful grant of a new lease with Arnewood Estates Limited.

A Grade II listed building, the Opera House has been an entertainment venue for over 100 years, has a capacity of 1,925 and will host in the region of 150 events per annum.

"The venue is beautiful," says AMG's chief executive officer John Northcote. "It fits perfectly within our estate in both look and feel and capacity. It's in great condition and we're looking forward to making some minor operational improvements, but primarily bringing the same vibrant diary of live acts and club events that people expect from AMG venues, filling a significant gap in the market."

The venue will be renamed O2 Academy Bournemo

UK - Building on the success of last year's presence at the festival, Stage Electrics' dedicated 'Edinburgh Support Team' will be based in Edinburgh from 28 July until 4 September, on hand to provide a rapid response to all technical needs.

There will be a dedicated 24-hour helpline available seven days a week on 0131 522 2251, where Stage Electrics technicians will be available to assist with equipment requests. A dedicated support vehicle will also be available to ensure any spare equipment needed reaches the customer immediately. Stage Electrics will be taking a host of consumables as part of their Edinburgh involvement, including gaffer tape, lamps, colour filters, paint and plugs, available for immediate dispatch.

Stage Electrics is one of the biggest suppliers of technical equipment to the Edinburgh Festival, and for over 20 years has had a strong presence at both the Ed

UK - The prestigious Gottelier Award will be presented for the third time at this year's PLASA Show.

Named in honour of the late designer, developer and commentator Tony Gottelier, this award aims to recognise the product developers who have made a significant contribution to the development of the equipment and tools that enable our entertainment technology practitioners to continually push the boundaries of event production, presentation and installation.

The process of identifying the winner by peer voting will again consist of two distinct phases, but with a few subtle changes.

In the Nomination Phase, industry professionals will again be asked for their choices, but will also be asked to identify the specific product contributions that make that nominee a worthy contender. Based on the nominations received, a panel of industry expert judges will then be asked to decide

UK - Electronics distributor CPC is throwing open the doors at its Fulwood, Preston, headquarters this coming weekend (Sunday 26 July) and hosting a trade show of its own.

Established in 1967, CPC has over 40 years experience of serving a large and diverse customer base. The company stocks more than 100,000 products from over 1,200 manufacturers. A growing percentage of this stock includes sound and light equipment and this has recently led to the addition of musical instruments

Chris Beesley, product manager for AV and installation, explains, "We pretty much cover all markets, but at the moment we're playing a big role in the sound and light markets and that extends into the musical instrument sector.

The open day/trade show is aimed at the sound and light sector in general. "For us it's about being better known in the industry," notes Beesley. "We cross

USA - D-Tools has announced the seventh annual D-Tools Design Awards call for entries. The 2009 D-Tools Design Awards showcase residential and commercial system integration projects created with D-Tools' System Integrator software. Winners will be announced during D-Tools University, D-Tools & Consumer Technology Publishing Group's first ever virtual training and EXPO event. This blend of online training, networking and a virtual trade show environment is scheduled for 1-3 December 2009.

Winning projects designed by some of most distinguished System Integrators will be selected from the following categories for this year's Design Awards: Best Residential System, Best Commercial System, Most Unique System - residential or commercial - and Best Overall System.

Winners will be selected by the D-Tools product team and D-Tools certified partners. The winning entries will be judged

Italy - Proel was among the companies that represented Italy at the G8 summit held at the Guardia di Finanza Military Headquarters in L'Aquila from the 8 - 10 July 2009. This multinational company based in the province of Teramo, in the Abruzzi region, was chosen together with eight other companies as examples of Made in Abruzzo production.

A special section of the exhibition The Art of Italian know how, which will be open until 6 August at L'Aquila's Coppito Military Headquarters, has been dedicated to Abruzzo and to the best handmade and industrial products from this region.

Statesmen, politicians and journalists from all over the world had the chance to be introduced to the most active and successful entrepreneurial endeavours that were born in this area: several screens installed at the summit's venue showed documentaries on their production activities and on

UK - OPTI, the UK manufacturer of Trilite structural systems and gobo + effects projection equipment has launched an adjustable height lectern - the OPTI HiLo.

For standing or seated speakers and presenters, the electrically operated height adjustment enables conference venues, lecture theatres, educational establishments and places of worship to comply with current European Union DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) regulations on access to, and facilities within buildings for the disabled.

Features include a gooseneck light and two 3-pin XLR shock-mounted microphone sockets, wired through to corresponding sockets in the base. The OPTI HiLo is supplied as standard in silver with other colour paint finishes to special order.

The HiLo is suitable for any application or event in which a lectern would be used, including boardrooms, houses of worship, education, hotel conference

UK - Prolific Music Producer Tony Platt was among seven entertainment professionals to be conferred the title of LIPA Companion as the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts celebrated graduation day on Friday 24 July.

Platt, whose career has spanned 35 years and almost as many musical genres, joined musician and actor Will Young, casting director Pippa Ailion, choreographer Natricia Bernard, artistic director John Fox, set and costume designer Richard Hudson, actor Joe McGann, to be honoured at the ceremony.

LIPA Companionships are awarded in recognition of contributions to the world of arts and entertainment. All Companions are also committed to sharing their expertise with LIPA students and most have provided masterclasses at the Institute.

Founding principal and CEO Mark Featherstone-Witty said: "When Paul and I created LIPA, there was no substitute for learning fr

Once in a Lifetime - Acts including U2 and Aretha Franklin are to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at two concerts. The gigs, set to take place in New York in October, will also feature inductees including Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton and Metallica. Both Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel and rock trio Crosby, Stills and Nash are lined up to perform together. The concerts have been billed as "once in a lifetime" events. Jan Wenner, chairman of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, said they are "designed to celebrate the artists and their music".

The proceeds from the concerts will go towards permanent funding for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation and Museum, established in 1984 by Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun who died in 2006.

Dublin Protest - People who live close to the Croke Park stadium in D

UK - Some of crickets biggest names are tucking into food supplied by Eat To The Beat (ETTB) throughout the npower Ashes Series this summer. The likes of Sir Ian Botham, David Gower and Shane Warne are enjoying meals provided by the tour and location caterer who are supplying the Sky Sports cricket production team throughout the series.

A five strong ETTB team were on-site both in Cardiff and Lords, setting up the day prior to the first innings and remaining in situ until the final wicket falls. Tony Laurenson, Managing Director, ETTB, said "We are once again proud to be involved with this great event. We have fed over 140 people on some days, including some familiar faces that have been part of the Sky Sports teams for many years."

The ETTB team and the company's fleet of mobile kitchen trucks are now on the road as the busy Ashes season continues.

(Jim Evans)

USA/UK - TMB has confirmed its appointment as worldwide exclusive distributor for the amBIENT XC control system from amBX of Redhill, UK. Launched at InfoComm 09, the amBIENT XC uses amBX proprietary patented technology to provide a full 'sensory surround' entertainment experience. It boasts "completely new concepts in the control of lighting and effects", allowing "the creation of unique immersive experiences in professional productions and architectural installations of all kinds".

The amBIENT XC can be pre-programmed or will respond in real-time to visual and/or aural stimuli, such as video or audio signals. Sophisticated control of interpretation and output parameters offers dynamic control of mood and atmosphere in spaces of all kinds. The amBIENT XC control system also provides a low-cost yet impressive upgrade solution for venues or productions

Jazz at The Palace - Buckingham Palace has been included on a shortlist of the UK's most important jazz venues. To mark the 50th anniversary of Miles Davis' celebrated Kind of Blue album, Brecon Jazz Festival asked people to nominate unsung British live venues. The winning venue will receive a plaque as part of the scheme. Jazz legends Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet played at Buckingham Palace during royal command performances for George V between 1919 and 1932. The Queen's residence joined the likes of Ronnie Scott's and the infamous Club Eleven on the shortlist for the inaugural (Kind Of) blue plaque scheme.

Security Matters - A number of London's West End theatres are to boost their security to counter worsening audience behaviour, owners have said. It comes after reports of drunkenness and even fights during performances. The owners of several venues, includ

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