The exhibition space itself sold out long ago, as last year's returning exhibitors were joined by 33 new names, filling both The Royal Armouries & Saviles Halls. Dozens of new product launches have been announced, many making their first UK appearance following international launches at Prolight&Sound in Frankfurt.
Another major draw has been the two-day Education & Learning Programme, a popular feature last year, which has again attracted top industry names in a feature-packed seminar agenda. "There are lots of reasons to visit," said Kelvin Brown of Brooklyn Sound Systems in Middlesborough. "PLASA events are always well organised and well attended. It gives me the chance to meet people from the industry that I often only get to see at such events, and it lets me catch up with what is new, in a quick, one-stop-shop way. I am looking forward to this year."
Brian Dunn, technical manager at Durham Gala Theatre & Cinema, commented: "Meeting up with colleagues of old and making new introductions has proved extremely useful to us this past 12 months. This year I'm hoping to give the entire technical team from the Gala Theatre a day out in Leeds!"
Ron Annible, partner at South Yorks Theatre Services, said: "My returning this year is due to the location of PLASA Focus in the North - it does attract a lot more interest locally. My intention is to visit both days."
"My main reason for visiting PLASA Focus in 2009," said Stephen Duffy, events technical operations manager at Vision Events, Rossendale, Lancashire, "was to bring along several young people who aspire to a career in the lighting and sound industry. We all particularly benefited from the seminar sessions, which were informative and gave direct access to key people in the media industry. [The show] presents a unique opportunity to connect with a wide variety of suppliers and technical experts from across the industry and is well worth a visit."
"PLASA Focus provided us with a great opportunity to catch up with our current suppliers and build relationships with new ones," says Stephen Capel, managing director of Point Source Productions Ltd in Sutton, while performing arts technician Tony Dawson commented: "Fantastic networking opportunity, it's great to meet other industry professionals and put faces to the people you talk to over the phone and also to see all the latest products."
Full details of seminars, an exhibitor list and a floor plan are available at the website address below. Like the show, admission to all seminars is free: however, visitors must register to reserve a place as space is limited.
(Lee Baldock)
