PLASA Focus rocks Nashville

18 July 2012

USA - Two days of packed seminars, a host of new product launches, and buzzing booths established PLASA Focus: Nashville as a triumphant landmark event for Tennessee - 668 attendees and over 50 of the biggest brands were boosted by an additional 20% of sign ups on site.

New products making their regional debut at Focus Nashville included: Martin Professional's new MAC III AirFX; MAC Viper Profile; M2GO, M2PC VC; d&b audiotechnik's E4 and E5 loudspeakers; Elation Professional's IP65-rated RGBW wash; Clay Paky's A.LEDA LED moving head range; Chauvet's new PVP S7 high-res video panel, new moving yokes Q-Spot 360-LED and Q-Spot 460-LED, Legend 412 pixel-mapping moving yoke lights and MVP 12 modular video panel - and many more.

The free to attend Professional Development Programme attracted over 1000 registrations for sessions that ranged from The Green Scene: Recycling Sets presented by Tony Award winning scenic designer, Donyale Werle, to Trends in Live Sound Reinforcement presented by Nashville pro, Eric Elwell.

PLASA CEO Matthew Griffiths commented: "We've been overwhelmed by the positive feedback from exhibitors and visitors alike. The quality and depth of the discussions really goes to show how healthy the entertainment technology community is here in Tennessee. Many new alliances have been forged over the last couple of days and hopefully these relationships will continue to grow year in, year out."

Bob Vanden Burgt of Link USA said: "I think the idea of a regional show is a great concept. Being able to come into an exhibition like this, in an 8x10 space with one road case, and get set up quickly really lowers your expenses and makes it very viable from a manufacture's point of view."

Harry von den Stemmen, of Robe added: "It's been very busy today, it started off from ten o'clock like crazy and we had a lot of people here, a lot of good profile people which is something we already experienced in Austin. We're staying with it because it brings us out into the country; it gives us presence, and doesn't cost us too much money. Rather than asking the customer to come to us, we come to the customer, it's a really good atmosphere and very productive."

Caroline Rault, of Rosco, stated: "I really like it. My territory is very large so it's great to be able to do these kinds of shows and to really get to know the local people. I've met with people from New York, Chicago, a lot of people based in Nashville, it's a good place for people to converge, I love it."

Production designer Jonathan Smeeton concluded: "I enjoyed every moment, an easy exhibition on the feet and mind. A much more personal approach and was really just grand seeing my friends and neighbours all in one place. This is the way to do business. Well done, PLASA. Job well done!"

Organisers PLASA Events confirm that a substantial number of exhibitors have already signed up for the next PLASA Focus regional event, which will be a long-awaited opportunity for the communities in the tri-state area. After fielding hundreds of requests, PLASA Focus takes place in Stamford, Connecticut on 12-13 November, 2012. Free registration opens soon at www.plasafocus.com

(Jim Evans)