The event was hosted by the broadcaster, author and 'Professor of Pop', Paul Gambaccini. As well as a number of cameo presentations by a wide range of industry personalities, including DiGiCo's Bob Doyle, PR guru Jerry Gilbert, Martin Professional's David Caulfield, plus Adrian Forbes-Black and Andy Lenthall of the PSA, the event was crowned by special guest appearances by Pink Floyd legend David Gilmour, ex-Undertone Feargal Sharkey (now Chairman of the government's Live Music Forum) and former BRIT Awards producer Lisa Anderson.
Of the winners, catering firm Eat To The Beat celebrated its third consecutive award and XL Video and the Star Events Group both won their third award to date, while monitor engineer John Roden, tour manager Henry McGroggan, rigger Phil Broad and production assistant Helen 'Hels Bells' Smith each bagged their second award. Although some of the winners could not be present, owing to touring commitments, there were several surprises in store when some of the industry's Goliaths were toppled by lesser-known, but highly respected, victors.
Rob Day and his team at Creative Technology assembled a stylish presentation for the night, harnessing the combined talents and technologies of suppliers Villa Audio, Out Board, KV2, Edwin Shirley Trucking, Stage Electrics, Blackout, Pulsar, Scene Change, Rock Constructions, Kroos and Hangman.
During the day the PSA held its AGM and Open Forum, visitors also took the opportunity to check out the latest technology being presented by Digidesign, Marquee Audio, Martin Professional, Zero 88 and Martin Audio at the Daytime TP sessions. Supported by the Showcase music industry directory, the PSA's AGM was the first to be held since the management of the Association was handed over to TPi's parent company Mondiale Publishing in April 2004.
The highlight of the day was the PSA Open Forum with a panel that included Feargal Sharkey, representing the government's Live Music Forum. The licensing act and fee levels for large event licenses were the hot topics on the day.
PSA Chairman Adrian Forbes-Black summed up the day: "2004 was an important year for the PSA. This year's conference has shown that we have come a long way since our management changed last April. We have had instant, positive feedback from members, which shows that the PSA is an association that people are proud to be part of. We thank those who attended and especially thank the sponsors for making the event possible."
The Winners for 2005 were as follows: Production Manager of the Year sponsored by Rock-It Cargo - Andy Cotton; Tour Manager of the Year sponsored by EFM & Chapman Freeborn - Henry McGroggan; Tour/Production Assistant of the Year sponsored by Creative Technology - Helen 'Hels Bells' Smith; FOH Engineer of the Year sponsored by Midas - Max Bisgrove; Monitor Engineer of the Year sponsored by Shure - John Roden; Lighting Designer of the year sponsored by Martin Professional - Dan Hardiman; Set Designer of the year sponsored by Star Events Group - Mark Fisher; Video Director of the year sponsored by The Picture Works - Nick Wickham; Rigger of the Year sponsored by Columbus McKinnon, PCM & Tomcat - Phil Broad; Favourite Sound Rental Company sponsored by Klark Teknik Group - Britannia Row Productions; Favourite Lighting Rental Company sponsored by Robe - Fineline; Favourite Set Construction Company sponsored by Pulsar - LiteStructures; Favourite Staging Company sponsored by Eurolites - Star Events Group; Favourite Video Services Company sponsored by Barco - XL Video; Favourite Trucking Company - Edwin Shirley Trucking; Favourite Tour Bus Company - Phoenix Bussing; Favourite Freight Company - Sound Moves; Favourite Travel Agency sponsored by Novotel - Music By Appointment; Favourite Security/C
