Leading the programme will be the 2009 Gottelier Masterclass presented by last year's Gottelier Award Winner, John Stadius of Soundtracs/DiGiCo. Stadius is a highly respected name in audio circles, and will describe his early days in the industry, the formative years of analogue console design, the move to digital, the influence of the SHARC processor and how the latest generation of chip technology has removed historical restrictions on console design leading to new possibilities for the future. This Masterclass will take place at the show on Monday 14 September at 3.00pm, just in advance of the PLASA Innovation Awards Ceremony that evening.
2009 will also see the return of former Gottelier Masterclass presenter Tony Andrews, of loudspeaker designers Funktion One. Tony was the first recipient of the Gottelier Award in 2007, and he will present a debate on technologies for DJs - "The Importance of Sound Quality", a presentation about the detrimental effect of convenience technology on music sound quality, how to reverse this trend and why high fidelity is important. This will be presented at 5.00pm on Sunday 13 September.
These presentations trail-blaze a full seminar and workshop programme which will feature both product-led sessions and discussions on industry issues. "There is a hunger for seminars that really help people expand their knowledge and horizons," said PLASA Events' Sophie Atkinson, "and we will have a mixture of very broad-brush issues, such as the convergence of lighting and video, along with tightly focused applications seminars, such as the 'Loudspeakers, Rooms and Listeners' presentation by Peter Mapp."
Other seminars cover such topics as speech intelligibility, ArtNet in large scale applications, line array optimisation, sustainability and BS8901, together with a strand of InfoComm sessions on planning and lighting live meetings and the highly successful range of Technologies for Worship seminars running throughout the four day show. Other organisations contributing to the seminar programme will include ABTT, The Theatres Trust and key industry publication Installation Europe.
Entrance to most sessions is free to registered show visitors, however, many seminars were over-subscribed in 2008 so visitors are encouraged to book seats now via the show's website. Pre-registration for the show is open offering a 50% admission price discount for online booking.
The PLASA Education & Learning Programme will accompany hundreds of new product launches during the four days of PLASA09 - the primary reason that two thirds of visitors cite as their motivation to visit the show. Despite the uncertain economic climate, there is every indication that there will be a host of new products on show at PLASA09 in every major product category and market sector as companies continue their commitment to drive R&D and emerging technologies in the industry.
Once again the show will provide industry-leading facilities for networking, talking business and socialising. These include the PLASA Bar, Member's Lounge, dedicated meeting areas in Earls Court 2 with a wi-fi zone, media lounge and more. As in previous years the PLASA Bar will remain open until 8pm on the first three nights, with the PLASA Awards for Innovation presentation taking place on the Monday evening.
Despite the toughest trading conditions for a generation, organisers PLASA Events say that visitor pre-registrations are equal to last year's (when the show saw a marked increase in actual visitors attending) and with over 80 per cent of stand space booked, the signs bode well for a strong business event again this year.
PLASA Show director Nicky Rowland commented: "We're very aware that the industry needs effective events to
