PLASA
2000 Creates a Buzz at Earls Court With Most Successful Show Yet
From
the first day of build up to the last day of the Show, PLASA 2000
was applauded by visitors and exhibitors alike as the most successful
event to date. Despite the crippling fuel crisis, serious trade
buyers were not deterred from attending and the levels and quality of
business done, and contacts made were extremely high.
12,996 (subject
to ABC audit) visitors - of which a record 25% were international -
made their way through the doors over the four day show.
Specifiers,
consultants, venue owners, attraction managers, recording
technicians, disc and light jockeys, corporate presentation planners,
technicians and other professionals from the world of entertainment
technology descended on Earls Court in London where they experienced
the very latest products, innovations and designs showcased by
manufacturers, suppliers and distributors of professional lighting,
sound and AV equipment.
From
state of the art sound systems to safe rigging systems, innovative
lighting and staging concepts to fog machines and trussing, PLASA
2000 had something for everyone. Spectacular light shows, a DJ mixing
competition and a circus magician act were among the Show's live acts
bringing technology to life and entertaining visitors.
Other Show
features included:
-
New Technology Gallery
- PLASA Awards
for Product Excellence
- Masterclass
and training programme
- 'DJ Sunday'
- a dedicated day for DJs
- Exhibitor demonstrations
- Champagne
Taittinger bar for visitors
The
Show's busy networking atmosphere was the perfect environment for
exhibitors to meet both existing and potential customers, and reports
of business being done were widespread.
Chris Rolph,
Sales Director of Coetech Ltd, reported orders of CF7 fixtures and
hard edge luminaires confirmed with hire market company HFM Lighting,
TV specialist lighting company Richard Martin Lighting and leading
rental company HSL Lighting.
G-E-T.com, a
database website for industry professionals made its world debut at
PLASA. Chief Executive Officer Ian Kirby reported that the site's
auction area of used products reached £1 million in the lead up
to PLASA 2000.
Steve Warren,
Sales Director at Avolites Ltd, was delighted to confirm a high end
lighting control contract for a building complex with concert arena
in Lonavla near Delhi in India and the sale of a Sapphire 2000
console and Art 2000 dimmer to leading UK rental company, Lite Alternative.
Bill
Jones, Sales Manager at Lightfactor Sales Ltd, reported sales of LDR
luminaires to Adlite, a Liverpool-based rental company and to AB
Lighting and Special Effects. He also reported excellent levels of
interest in the recently launched Apogee Sound International range.
John Jones,
Managing Director of PCM Ltd, presented the company's fourth cheque
to date to the Production Services Association Welfare &
Benevolent Fund, taking the total donation to over £10,000. The
organisation donates £10 to the fund from every sale of a
Lodestar motor.
Exhibitors were
just as upbeat about the success of the show itself. David Tyas,
Managing Director of M&D Design Ltd, believes that PLASA is the
perfect venue to showcase new products, particularly as his
organisation is reorganising the sound system at Earls Court itself.
He said: "With its mix of people and international visitors,
PLASA is the best place to do business, and to meet customers and
suppliers. This is our third PLASA and we get people returning to the
stand having seen us years ago. We will definitely be coming back
next year."
Rob Peck,
Managing Director of Gemini Sound Products Ltd, said: "We have
had extremely positive feedback from the market here at PLASA, and on
'DJ Sunday' - the show's dedicated DJ day - we felt there was more
interest than ever from visitors. We come to PLASA to meet existing
and potential dealers, and this year the quality of visitors has been
extremely high."
Mark
Walker of Laser Light International added: "We come to PLASA to
secure distributors. This is our second year at the show which
attracts just the right people. We have been overwhelmed by the
number of visitors and particularly the quality of overseas visitors.
On DJ Sunday, we even had to call in extra staff to cope with enquiries."
Karen Cronin,
Director of Total Fabrications, said: "Visitor quality at the
Show gets better and better each year, and the fact that the show has
the weight of PLASA and Lighting & Sound International behind
it makes it an even stronger proposition. We come to PLASA for many
reasons - to see existing clients in person, to meet current and
potential international clients and to launch new products. PLASA is
without doubt the premier international show in this industry which
is why we chose to launch our T2 products here. We have had brilliant
feedback and the response to safety-conscious products is extremely encouraging."
Phil Price,
Managing Director of RCF Mackie said: "PLASA 2000 has been a
great show for us. We have not only seen many of our regular
customers, but have also met many new potential customers and
specifiers. At the Mackie Digital Systems stand, we have seen many
more MI dealers and an increased number of representatives from
recording studios, and the radio and broadcast industry. Some very
good deals have been done - we have already re-booked our stands for
next year."
Peter
Ed, Marketing Director at ETC Europe commented: "PLASA provided
ETC with the opportunity to welcome leading lighting designers and
consultants from all over the world, introducing new concepts and
products. ETC's European dealers also found in the ETC stand an ideal
home to meet their customers in the exciting and professional
atmosphere that the PLASA Show provides."
Diane Grant,
Managing Director at DHA Lighting felt that good pre-Show marketing
ensured a very productive PLASA, and explained: "Our objective
was to meet and sign up new overseas stockists, particularly in
Europe. Good research, focused pre-Show marketing and the fact that
the right people attended PLASA combined to ensure very positive results."
PLASA 2001
will take place from 9-12 September 2001 at Earls Court.
For more
information about PLASA call Carol Talbot at the PLASA Show Office,
tel: 020 7370 8215
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