"After 21 years at Earls Court & Olympia, the time is now right for the PLASA Show to leave its current home," said PLASA CEO Matthew Griffiths. "We have hugely ambitious plans for the future of the event, and the state-of-the-art facilities at ExCeL support this vision. ExCeL is a cutting-edge, purpose-built exhibition venue with the infrastructure to attract international markets; the world-class facilities are the perfect match for PLASA's planned investment in content and growth, and an exciting prospect for our technology markets worldwide."
The move represents a major opportunity for the PLASA Show to expand its international audience and offer world-class conferences, speakers, associated events, demonstration areas and features. ExCel is located in a thriving area of East London and offers excellent links to both Europe and the rest of the UK via London City Airport.
"We are moving to an area transformed by significant investment in preparation for the London Olympic Games. Located in the heart of London's Royal Docks, the venue is within easy reach of London's West End and is connected to Central London via the Jubilee line and three onsite DLR (Docklands Light Railway) stations. International visitors will appreciate the proximity of London City Airport, which is just five minutes away by taxi, and there are great rail connections to mainland Europe," comments Griffiths.
As to the venue itself, Excel has won the Venue of the Year Award at the AEO (Association of Exhibition Organisers) Excellence Awards for two years running: this year it also won the newly-introduced Excellence Award - for the venue that scored highest across all categories. The site boasts an onsite network of hotels, restaurants and bars, providing a campus-style base for after-hours activities, offering second-to-none hospitality options in which to socialise and entertain.
The move presents other benefits too: the new timeline removes the event from the closing weeks of the busy summer festival and touring season, and also avoids the perennial clash with the IBC exhibition in Amsterdam - a change that will be particularly welcomed by audio exhibitors.
PLASA Show's event director, Sophie Atkinson, comments: "London is the natural meeting point for the creative industries, and a thriving cultural centre for the worlds of film, TV, music, live events and the performing arts. Add to that its position as a leading city in the world's economy, and a centre for international trade and finance, and we feel we have a near perfect recipe for a world-class event that not only informs but entertains."
The PLASA Show is owned by the industry and, as such, it is the only entertainment technology event to reinvest its revenue back into the industry it serves. Organisers PLASA Events invite everyone to join them for the final farewell to Earls Court at PLASA 2012, from 9-12 September.
(Lee Baldock)
