The announcement comes on the back of lengthy consultations with both sets of memberships which concluded recently in a formal vote of Members - PLASA via its annual AGM, which took place on Wednesday 2 June in London, and ESTA via a month-long electronic ballot which ran throughout May.
Well over 90% of Members from each Association voted in support of the move, which will see ESTA and PLASA integrated to create a single international trade association operating under the PLASA name.
"The merger is a significant development for the industry as it will effectively create the first truly international industry-wide membership body of over 1200 manufacturers, installers, dealers, service providers and consultants working across the entertainment and installation industries. This will also include members of PERA - the former Production Equipment Rental Association - which recently merged with ESTA," say PLASA.
Both bodies consider the merger to be a continuation of an already established relationship between the two organisations who have worked together on a range of initiatives for many years and who share the same values and aims. Uniting under the PLASA name will lead to a stronger voice for the organisation and allow it to actively develop its range of business services and industry initiatives.
Both teams will now spend the next six months putting in place the infrastructure behind the merger, the first formal stage of which will be completed by December 2010, allowing the new organisation to go live on 1 January 2011.
As part of this, an overarching Governing Body will be established to look after the interests of the membership worldwide and to work closely with Regional Boards for North America and Europe.
The Boards of both ESTA and PLASA, who actively recommended the merger to their respective memberships, are delighted with the positive vote as they believe combining PLASA with ESTA will create a highly effective and responsive trade body.
In a joint statement, PLASA CEO Matthew Griffiths and ESTA Executive Director Lori Rubinstein said: "We believe the logic driving the merger is totally sound: the strengths of both organisations are evident and we have an unequalled opportunity to increase the value we provide to Members through services, networking and improved business opportunities. A united approach to the issues and challenges of our industry will provide major long-term benefits and greatly broaden the role of the PLASA."
(Lee Baldock)
