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 industry and a strengthening seminar and conference programme.
But it is new technology that remains the keystone of the Show and PLASA 2005 was no exception: from across the 300-plus exhibitors came over 1,000 new products - some delivering unique creative solutions, others improving the working practices adopted by the industry. The best new developments were nominated for the PLASA Awards for Innovation, all of which could be seen by visitors to the Innovation Gallery, an impressive display area at the entrance to the exhibition. The nine winners were announced during a lively awards ceremony on the Monday evening of the show.
Providing a focus for professional development is another important element of PLASA and this year the show's seminar programme was designed to deliver practical skills - not just on the emerging technologies, but also on the creative ways in which they can be applied. The well-received DJ Turntablism session kicked off events on the first day attracting well over 50 attendees. This was just the first in a much wider programme of seminars and discussion sessions that covered everything from audio networking to the legislative impact of WEEE, attracting the largest ever seminar attendance in the show's history. There was also a keynote talk by industry veteran Sonny Sonnenfeld who provided a unique insight into the early days of the industry - both in the UK and America.
DJ Sunday, the show's opening shot for up and coming DJs, was also acclaimed a success as participants reported a high level of interest in new products. This key area of the show is aimed at bringing in a new generation of DJs to the world of PLASA, with more special features designed for this year's event than ever before. Now in its 11th year, the Gemini 'Extreme V' DJ Competition once again gave DJs the chance to show off their talents and, for the first time in the competition's history, there was a second-time winner, French DJ Kouadjo, who flew in from France to repeat his success of the previous year.
With so much going on, the mood on the show floor was upbeat and optimistic. Nicola Rowland, PLASA show director, commented: "The feedback has been extremely positive, with business clearly high on everyone's agenda judging by the number of orders taken during the show. Many companies were overwhelmed by the interest shown in their products and the orders being written at the show. We plan to build on that in 2006 and will look to further consolidate the PLASA Show's role as a catalyst for making things happen."
Next year's PLASA Show takes place from 10-13 September 2006, and re-booking is already strong, with both current and new exhibitors having signed for space.
