Seminar Programme at PLASA 2005

3 June 2005

UK - The organizers of the PLASA Show (11-14 September, Earls Court, London) have announced details of this year's seminar and workshop programme, which will aim to deliver practical skills on the technologies that everyone wants to know about, business-focused discussions that address today's key issues and a series of inspirational sessions that highlight now just how creative this industry is.

The sessions have been designed to reflect recent developments across the industry, whilst also focusing on the technologies and ideas of tomorrow. The increasing use of digital networking has enabled the control of equipment to be handled centrally, yet there still exists a divide between lighting, sound, stage automation and video as they continue down their increasingly divergent roads. Will there ever be a marrying up? Systems Integration - a Precursor to Universal Show Control? sets out to uncover what some of the eminent manufacturers and experts in control technologies are planning.

A further attempt to see into the future will come from a session aiming to uncover where the virtual revolution in lighting and projection will take us. Digital Scenography - the virtual way forward? will explore the use of computer visualization and virtual reality techniques in the design and production processes, and assess their impact on the future of live performance.

The drive for energy efficiency will be the central theme of a session led by the team that brought an LED system to UK television and picked up an award in the process. When LED came to GMTV will outline how many challenges were overcome to deliver an energy efficient and innovative lighting system.

The arrival of increasingly sophisticated servers, processors and high brightness daylight screens has led to the growing application of multi-media displays, from high-profile television sets to stadium advertising banners and digital signage in public spaces. Screen Technologies: Future of Media Displays looks at the scope of these technologies and what comes next.

As the technology that drives digital networking becomes more affordable, an increasing number of projects are being constructed around an Ethernet-based infrastructure. Digital Audio Networking - Platforms and Protocols will offer a clear look at current solutions.

Staying with digital technology, but entering a very different world, Digital Turntablism and Mixing highlights the changing dynamics of DJing and the virtual DJ studio.

There has been growing concern about the safety of low-cost, low-quality laser products being operated by untrained staff. The Safe Use of Lasers will offer an overview of the essentials in this area.

The need for sound systems to operate effectively in an emergency situation is also crucial. Disastrous Sound Systems - can you ensure your VA system will be heard? will examine how specifiers and installers can guarantee their sound system's performance, ensure its intelligibility and prove that it meets the relevant standards.

PLASA's seminar programme isn't only about the technologies however - the business landscape is constantly shifting and companies need to respond effectively. In The Challenges Facing Businesses, leading companies will take part in a discussion session exploring how business and the industry has changed in the last 10 years, whilst in Big Ideas? - From Concept to Reality, leading innovators will explain how they took their ideas and made them work.

These are just some of the sessions on offer at PLASA 2005 - the full programme, which has the support of all the main magazines and organizations in the industry, can be found on the Show website (address below). If you pre-register, the cost of attending a single session is £7.50 (inc VAT) or you can get a three-session pass for £15.00 (inc VAT).

Visitor registration for the show is now open and a fully integrated website is available with essential show information, including an up-to-date exhibitor list and floorplan, an easy-to-use online registration system and a full listing of all the seminars. Visitors who pre-register now will benefit from half-price admission.

(Lee Baldock)