The majority of LDI exhibitors that PLASA Media spoke to at the show expressed their satisfaction with both the quality of visitors and the level of business being done. Exhibitor Michael Bridgman of British Optical, a manufacturer of high quality optical components for the entertainment industry, commented: "It's been very good for us this year - I would say back to the level of business of three years ago."
The 2003 ETS-LDI showcased a number of innovative new products. This year the show's awards were split into two categories - Product of the Year and Debuting Product/Promising Prototype. The Product of the Year award for Entertainment Lighting went to Martin Professional's Maxxyz Console and the Architectural Lighting prize went to iLight Technologies' Plexineon new Linear LED lighting system. The best Lighting Accessory was Tent Tec's ML Bracket, designed for mounting lighting fixtures to ten poles or any ground supported column. The Lighting Tools and Software Award went to John McKernon and City Theatrical's Lightwright 4 with the award for Projection going to Barco MiPIX Modular Intelligent Pixelblock. The best Sound product was the Yamaha DM1000 Digital Production Console. The Scenic, Staging & Effects Product of the Year was Martin Professional's Jem ZR 24/7 Hazer, while the Rigging & Hardware prize was awarded to Hoffend Vortek Rigging System and the best Widget was Lex Products' E-String, a flexible cable with six outlets distributed along its length, each featuring an LED power indicator.
The awards for Debuting Product and Promising Prototype of the Year in the Entertainment Lighting category went to both Electronic Theatre Controls' Revolution and the Arri Sky Panel. Architectural Lighting awards went to Color Kinetics' Chromasic Technology and OptiLED Chip LED Lamp Line. The Lighting Tools and Software award winner was High End System's Catalyst Version 3 Software and the Debuting Product/Promising Prototype of the Year went to Element Labs' VersaTile, although an honourable mention was given to G-LEC's LED Curtain. The prize for Scenic Effects was awarded to Rosco Laboratories X-Effects Visual Projector, along with an Honorable Mention for Lightspace's Corporation Club Scene Dance Floor.
PLASA Media's full report on LDI will appear in the December issue of Lighting&Sound International magazine.
(Lee Baldock)
