UK - Le Mark's Harmony Gloss portable stage floor glistened and shimmered on Sunday night with the BBC's broadcast of the BAFTA Awards 2013.

Watched by an estimated 5.5m viewers and hosted by Stephen Fry, the ceremony production was visually stunning from start to finish.

Offering a high-gloss floor with a water-like effect, Le Mark's Harmony event floor flowed across the set, complimenting the stars as they walked onto the stage to collect their awards.

Having also been used in some of the largest productions in the world, including a custom printed version for the opening ceremony at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Harmony has become widely known for its speed and ease of installation, along with the ability to offer amazing visual effects when combined with professional lighting.

Le Mark's Leanne Baker commented, "To have any sort of involvement in what is arguably

UK - The Executive Hire Show proved to be a success yet again for inspHire shown through a busy stand over the course of the entire show. Three independent hirers took the opportunity to have a demonstration of inspHire hire software and then decided to purchase on the spot. Kelly Plant and Tool Hire Depot both utilised inspHire's 'Show only Deal' and purchased inspHire Express at the show's discounted rate and TJ Hire purchased inspHire Office Edition.

inspHire on Android, selected to be included on the Innovation Trail, was launched at the Executive Hire Show. Interest was high on this new, innovative product, as both inspHire customers and prospects were requesting a demonstration. Since launching inspHire on Android, inspHire has set up customers on this new application.

inspHire held one-to one free workshops throughout the show, providing customers with the chance to fur

UK - Dave Bellamy, Showforce's client relations manager, was awarded the accolade of 'Best Employee' at the Event Production Awards 2013.

With 20 awards presented in total, by comedian Tom Stade, Dave Bellamy and Kim Gavin, artistic director of the Olympic and Paralympic closing ceremonies were the only individuals to receive awards on the night.

Bellamy was nominated for the award by Showforce's chairman Ian Spendlove who said, "I really wanted to formally acknowledge the hard work, commitment and high standards demonstrated by Dave throughout, what was undoubtedly, the busiest time in our 20 year history. Dave oversaw projects that included Olympic overlay, the opening and closing ceremonies for the Olympics and Paralympics, the Diamond Jubilee Concert and Sports Personality of the Year."

The judging panel for the awards included; Chris Salmon, event operations d

USA - When the three-day grand opening celebration began on 11 January at the new Bing Concert Hall at Stanford University, the 842-seat hall resonated with performances by the San Francisco Symphony, mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, the St. Lawrence String Quartet, Stanford Chamber Chorale, and members of the Stanford Symphony Orchestra and Stanford Philharmonia.

This diverse selection of performers and ensembles demonstrated the versatile acoustical capabilities of the new hall, showcasing solo performances and small ensembles as well as the full orchestra. World-renowned acoustic designer Yasuhisa Toyota of Nagata Acoustics determined the optimal sound design for this hall - and to execute this design, Stanford called upon the rigging experts at J. R. Clancy, Inc.

The complex job required Clancy and an installation team from Western Theatrical to work around a massive net

UK - Arena Group's Arena Scaffolding division provided a special installation at Spring Fair International, an exhibition which showcased the latest products and trends at the NEC Birmingham, 3 - 7 February 2013.

Most Arena Scaffolding projects involve supplying materials as supporting sub structures which tend to be concealed. However, at Spring Fair International Arena's temporary scaffold display became a central feature point at the Trend Bar in Hall 6, visited by over 3,000 delegates.

Working closely with the convention's head of design, Justin Southgate of Southgate Designs and fabric suppliers Stitch, Arena ensured the highest quality equipment was available to mirror Justin's design concepts and create a visually striking display.

Each scaffold pipe was individually positioned at different height levels and formed a large torch shape fitted with pastel coloured fabri

Germany - Le Maitre are launching two stunning new machines at this year's Prolight & Sound, Frankfurt.

Le Maitre's HazeMaster is their most advanced and powerful hazer yet. Le Maitre have taken all their experience from HazeMaster's predecessors, the renowned Stadium Hazer and the MVS Hazer, and designed a completely new machine with a host of new features and benefits. Le Maitre's acquired knowledge and original investments have enabled them to produce a much more competitively priced unit, despite using higher quality, longer lasting parts.

The first thing that strikes you is the sleek modern design and robust steel casing, underneath which lies a true masterpiece of engineering. The combination of an industrial grade air-pump, a 2-stage heating process and a microprocessor controller, produce an output so powerful that the HazeMaster can convert up to 500cc of fluid per ho

UK - PLASA's Technical Resource Office announces that the RDM and sACN Developers Conference and Plugfest returns for 2013 and will take place on the 25-27 April, in the UK, at Gatwick Manor, London Road at Lowfield Heath, just south of Gatwick Airport.

This Developers Conference aims to provide a European forum for manufacturers, designers, consultants and prospective users; and to ensure that the adoption of these new standards achieves desired levels of interoperability and reliability.

The conference includes presentations in understanding, implementing and using the published PLASA control protocols suites. Discussions will also embrace the current protocol developments that form part of the PLASA Technical Standards Programme. The past 12 months has seen considerable advancement in the development of RDMnet - with various drafts of BSR E1.33 being offered for public revi

UK - The TPi Awards, was a night of double celebration for LS-Live, which won two titles.

The stage, set and studio company based in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, picked up awards for Favourite Rehearsal Facility (sponsored by Showcase) and Favourite Staging Company (sponsored by Sunbaba). LS-Live was also nominated for Favourite Set Construction Company (sponsored by J&C Joel Limited).

The annual TPi Awards has celebrated the most talented individuals and service companies working in the live production industry worldwide for over a decade. Presented by Radio DJ Lauren Laverne at the Novotel London West in Hammersmith on Monday 11 February, the 2013 event attracted 1,500 people.

Director Ben Brooks collected the awards and commented after the event, "We are very proud to be judged favourite rehearsal facility and staging company, and I'd like to thank everyone who voted f

UK Unusual Rigging has been voted the UK's favourite rigging company at the TPi Awards 2013, which took place at the Novotel London West on Monday 11 February 2013.

The awards highlight projects undertaken in 2012 and the judges said: "Unusual Rigging was a clear favourite in the voting process this year, showing how well respected and valued they are by their industry peers."

(Jim Evans)

UK - Le Mark's high gloss StudioTak flooring is back with the second series of Sky Living's The Love Machine.

The set maximises the effect of StudioTak's high gloss finish and combines professional studio lighting to produce a visual impact that's not often rivaled by other self-adhesive studio floors.

Le Mark's Leanne Baker said, "The Love Machine is a really lively and stunning set. The camera angles perfectly capture the glossy floor finish, making the nightclub-style set design beautifully shine back on-camera."

(Jim Evans)

UK - Lyon Equipment, UK distributors for Petzl products is promoting the new Avao harness range, and Pixa headtorches.

Petzl's latest Avao harnesses have been designed alongside industry professionals to achieve two objectives: maximum comfort and maximum fall protection.

The X-shaped dorsal construction with wide, semi-rigid waistbelt and leg loops reduces pressure points during prolonged suspension in work situations, while the shoulder straps are widely spaced to avoid neck chafing. The waistbelt and leg loops are lined with perforated foam for comfort and ventilation.

The semi-rigid, pre-shaped construction makes the harness easy to put on. There's plenty of adjustment using self-locking DoubleBack buckles, and once you've achieved your optimum set-up the optional FAST automatic leg loop buckles mean you can gear up quickly.

Avao harnesses feature a dorsal attachment p

UK - London-based automation specialist Kinesys has supplied a complete automation system and Vector control to the multi-purpose Göransson Arena in Sandviken, Sweden, via its Swedish reseller, Anderson & Co AB Sweden.

The 13,000sq.m venue is used for ice sports like Bandy (it's the home arena for the local Sandvikens AIK team), ice racing and football, and is also a 13,000 capacity concert arena, staging shows for high profile artists like 50 Cent, The Scorpions, Skunk Anansie, etc. and used for exhibitions.

In use daily for sporting events and with a busy 'additional' schedule numbering over 50 different events each year, the arena's management team sought a flexible rigging solution that would facilitate faster, easier and more efficient changeovers between the different uses.

The intention was to increase their capacity to stage more - and a greater diversity - of shows

UK - Stage Technologies has once again been contracted by pop star P!nk's production manager, Richard Young, to supply the overhead automation for the singer's The Truth About Love USA and European tours. This will be the third P!nk tour in a row that Stage Technologies has been brought on board to fly the star and other performers in her show.

The Stage Technologies system, which features positioning chain hoists and wire winches working together from the same console, also includes BigTow winches, custom truss, AU:tour cabinets, and PC Wing control desks.

Stage Technologies director of rentals services, Ted Moore, said, "We're very happy to once again provide the overhead automation for P!nk's show. Our kit is very 'tour-able' in that it's quick to assemble for extended, multi-date gigs like The Truth About Love. This is our third tour with P!nk and we look forwa

UK - A.C. Entertainment Technologies (AC-ET) Ltd's Rigging division has supplied 50 x 1 tonne Columbus McKinnon (CM) Entertainment Lodestar D8 Series (Model L) electric chain hoists, complete with work-ready infrastructure - including flightcases, Out Board DV8 direct control motor controllers and cabling - to the NEC Group in Birmingham.

The NEC Group operates 19 constantly busy halls at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre, as well as the National Indoor Arena (NIA) multi-purpose sports and entertainment venue in the city centre.

The purchase was co-ordinated for the NEC Group by resource manager for rigging, Rob O'Donnell, who worked closely with AC-ET's rigging sales specialist, Matthew Millward.

Adding to their existing stock of over 100 x 1-tonne CM Lodestar hoists, O'Donnell explains his confidence in the CM Entertainment brand - for which AC-ET are the exclusive r

UK - James Thomas Engineering has announced the appointment of White Light as exclusive distributor of their new JT30 & JT40 truss products. The two truss products mark a new direction for James Thomas.

Paul Young explains, "We have gone to great lengths to take all the good features of existing truss products of this size, eliminate the flaws, and add our own innovative edge to create a new range of products that are competitive in value, stronger than many of those currently available, and with a far greater ease of use."

He continues, "White Light is a fantastic company which matches our ambition for these products so we feel the chemistry and the timing are perfect for this alliance."

White Light sales director Peter Threadgold is equally excited about the partnership saying, "The JT30 & JT40 are both excellent products. This addition complements

UK - Nestled at the foot of the Cairngorms national park, Pitlochry Festival Theatre is a delightfully spacious, airy venue that is responsible for a veritable list of productions as well as a range of workshops, tours, concerts and even a wine club.

Each winter it opens its doors for the Federation of Scottish Theatre's (FST) winter school, a sizeable programme of technical training and professional development courses aimed at those working in dance, music and theatre north of the border. The FST has over 120 members and strives to secure the creative future of Scottish Theatre at a national level while also helping its members share resources and expertise; one of the key aims of the winter school program. As in previous years, the Winter School has been heavily supported by Edinburgh based Black Light.

Courses included working and rigging at height, ETC product training, m

UK - Watched by millions, the 2013 Brit Awards offered an A-list performance-packed show, held in London's prestigious 02 Arena.

Once again Le Mark's high gloss StudioTak studio vinyl was selected for both the beautifully curvaceous cat walk running out into the audience and also used in the after show broadcasts.

With some of the biggest names in the music industry attending and collecting their awards, the set design and production was as seamless and stunning as ever before. StudioTak high gloss floor provided a water-like shimmering reflection, enhancing the set and stage on which it's laid.

Le Mark's Sharon Marshall commented, "So far this year, Le Mark floors have been used on some of the most prestigious award events in the world: the BAFTA's, the NTA's and now the Brit Awards - an incredible achievement for all the team here.

"StudioTak itself is such a f

USA - Philip Lunas has joined the staff of J. R. Clancy, Inc., as the company's financial manager.

Lumas will serve on the Clancy leadership team and will report directly to president Michael Murphy. He brings 15 years of progressive finance experience to his new position, stemming from his years as senior financial analyst at Pall Corporation in Cortland, NY.

In addition to his finance responsibilities, Lumas will also manage all human resources functions and serve as the company's information technology point of contact. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Syracuse University, and lives in Cortland with his wife and son.

(Jim Evans)

USA - "These things are awesome" said 44 Designs Clayton Thornton following their delivery of Le Mark's custom printed cable labels.

Ordered in to brand and identify 44 Designs vast cable inventory, Clayton Thornton continued, "We had a lot of cable in our inventory that came pre-fabricated and the thought of re-soldering an end on each of them was a bit overwhelming. Being able to brand cables we have in stock already was a major selling point."

Based in Nashville, TN, the team at 44 Designs share over 25 years combined experience in lighting, touring, rentals, and production, working together to bring a mix of individual talents to each project. This knowledge and experience carries over when looking for products that help brand and visually represent their companies equipment.

Le Mark's export manager Matt Every added, "The simplicity of our cable

Germany - GUIL, one of the major European companies dedicated to the manufacturing of lifting towers, stages, and stands and structures for the audio and lighting industry, celebrates 30 years as a leader in innovation and technological advancements within the entertainment industry.

Since the beginning, GUIL has focused on developing high quality products, allowing them to help over 5000 companies around the world in the improvement and increased efficiency of their events.

Their continued growth and enthusiasm over these three decades have meant that GUIL is now a reputable brand, with its evolution concentrating on the design and manufacturing of products which meet the ever changing needs of professionals in the industry, both now and for the future.

GUIL will once again be exhibiting their products at the Prolight & Sound trade fair which takes place from the 10-13 Apri

UK - AED Distribution has announced the opening of a new AED Distribution UK facility, based out of their existing AED Rent premises in High Wycombe - to be headed by David March, as sales director.

AED Distribution UK says it will provide distribution for a cohesive range of entertainment technology brands, underpinned with professional logistics and order processing, supported by the AED Group Solutions. The range will initially include CM Entertainment Technology, Prolyte (including the four complementary but independent brands of Litestructures, Prolyte Structures, StageDex and ProLyft), GLP lighting, MDG foggers, High End Systems' Hog 4 control family, Fenix lifting towers, Swisson DMX solutions and sine wave dimming, SRS motor controllers, dimmers and power distribution, plus hardware from Manfrotto and Doughty.

Formerly director of European Sales for Philips Vari-Lite a

Australia - Mojo Barriers' Australian office was appointed to supply stage barriers and crowd safety services across three of the country's biggest summer music festivals in 2013 - Big Day Out, Soundwave and Future Music Festival.

The contracts follow the announcement late last year that Mojo Barriers had opened its first permanent Australian premises, offering improved services to events across the continent.

Future Music Festival, which tours nationally and kicked off in Brisbane on 2 March, boasts acts including The Prodigy and The Stone Roses. Mojo Barriers is supplying 2.5km of aluminium stage barriers across all stages.

The national Soundwave tour kept Mojo's team busy installing over 4.5km of barrier across the festival's five sites (Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth) helping to keep audiences, crew and headliners including Metallica and Linkin Park safe

USA - Few times of the year feature as much gonzo production work as Fashion Week in New York City, when designers from all over the world come together to unveil the new clothing designs for the coming year.

The event takes over venues across the city from Lincoln Center to the 26th Street Armory. To master the gruelling schedule and bring all of the designers' runway visions to life, Sapsis Rigging, Inc. (SRI) is the technical management company of choice for designers including Mark Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger, and Kenneth Cole.

Production manager Michael Sapsis assembled a crew of more than 35 riggers who worked steadily for two weeks, installing 225 chain hoists, 3,000 feet of assorted truss, and one 4,000-pound sodium-vapour lighting effect, contained in a circular truss rig and lifted by a mother grid. The final assembly of this effect took place twelve feet above the floor

Germany - XTA are attending ProLight + Sound 2013 in what is a very significant year for the company - its 21st anniversary.

Says the company, "We 'quietly' celebrated our 20th Anniversary within the company last year with a few celebrations for staff, as you may have seen on Facebook, and serendipitously also reached a milestone in the form of shipping our 50,000th unit, but this year it's going to be a little more about saying thanks to our friends starting with some anniversary events in Frankfurt and seeing if we can make the festivities last all year.

"We are running a facebook competition all through March right up until the first day of the show itself on Wednesday 10 April, giving away two very limited edition flagship units, our DP548. These will have uniquely designed front panels and will only be available to the lucky winners."

Two units will be up

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