USA - GearSource and PRG announced today the first 'Gear-Up' sales event powered by GearSource.com, beginning on 1 May. This event will offer equipment from PRG's audio, lighting, video and rigging inventory at "unheard of 'auction-like' pricing, but without the hassle or buyer premiums associated with auctions".

All items will be sold on a first come, first served basis. "This isn't an auction, but the buying frenzy will be the same, based on the pricing we're already seeing coming in," says GearSource president Michael Fairbairn. "Obviously, PRG has a massive inventory of equipment in audio and lighting. This event is created to help them liquidate that inventory without the trouble of staging an auction," says Fairbairn. While the Gear-Up sale may eventually open up to other GearSource.com vendors, this event is exclusive to PRG's US-based invent

UK - Tomorrow's A.C. Lighting North Event (1-2 May) will see the first UK showings of two new product innovations from leading Italian trussing and rigging manufacturer Litec. The new Litec EXE-Lodestar 650C1 is a BGV-C1 multifunction electric chain hoist designed for use in the entertainment industry.

BGV-C1 is a German code of practice for the entertainment and theatrical venues, part of which covers lifting and rigging equipment. Adopting BGV-C1 is voluntary, but it is generally required to obtain insurance within Germany and is therefore rapidly becoming an industry standard across Europe. A C1 chain hoist can be defined as a unit suitable for use to move and hold loads above people, and as such has to meet certain criteria such as a design factor of 10:1, underload and overload protection and a double brake mechanism.

"We needed to make a simple hoist that could work

UK - Event power specialist Power Logistics has recently taken on three new team members. Rich Rayner (pictured left) joins the Operations and Project Management team and will be working alongside Dave Oxley (centre), while Noel Glendinning (right) joins the expanding Warehouse and Logistics team.

And finally, having decided to take control of their increasing transport needs, Power Logistics has also announced its decision to open its own in-house Transport Department: George Stedman will be heading up this department as transport manager.

(Lee Baldock)

UK - Almost 30 years after Nottingham's Theatre Royal reopened to the public following extensive refurbishment work and 25 years since the Royal Concert Hall was unveiled, Theatre Projects Consultants is providing theatre consulting services to the Royal Centre Nottingham again.

The Royal Centre, a celebrated Nottingham landmark and regular touring venues, is currently undertaking a strategic review. MD James Ashworth explains, "Theatre Projects were the natural choice for the job with their intimate knowledge of the building, having helped us conceive it during the 1970s and 80s. With a vast portfolio of experience and an unparalleled reputation for excellence, we believed they would assist us in ensuring the Royal Centre continues to be one of the country's finest facilities for the 25 years."

Theatre Projects is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary of consul

UK - Research for the proposed National Skills Academy for the Creative and Cultural Industries suggests that current and projected growth in live entertainment will generate demand for an extra 10,000 skilled offstage and technical staff over the next decade. And with half of the current workforce expected to retire or leave the industry by 2017, the total estimated number of recruits required rises to around 30,000.

Major employers in the theatre, live music and events industries already report serious difficulties recruiting qualified and experienced professionals in a wide range of disciplines including lighting, sound, stage controls and specialist backstage support staff.

Since January 2007, more than 300 individuals and organisations - including employers, trade bodies and freelancers - have been consulted on the Skills Academy proposal being developed by Creative & Cul

UK - SPS has just completed its work for the Institute of Directors Annual Conference, a one day event that featured presentations by high profile business leaders at London's Royal Albert Hall.

SPS has worked on the IoD flagship event for four years and utilised its extensive experience to design and construct the impressive stage set. SPS used LED screen technology both as a graphic display and a powerful lighting source. This allowed the 2,500 company directors attending the event a clear view of the stage. These LED screens coupled with two large video projection screens created a dramatic stage set. SPS's creative team also produced the graphics and visual content.

The theme of this year's event was Success in a Challenging World. It examined topics such as the rapidly expanding European Union, globalisation of markets and environmental issues. Key note speakers in

UK - Staging Services has announced the launch of its new LED, modular staging/dance floor system. It can can be used in conjunction with the company's modular staging system - Super Stage as a dance floor, lit fashion catwalk, stage or exhibition floor. Each LED tile is 500mm x 500mm and can be individually programmed to emit "thousands of colours, limitless sequences, patterns and basic alphanumerical characters".

If the system is used as a raised stage, handrails can be locked into the floor to prevent guests from falling and if it is used at a height of 150mm a bevel is locked into the floor to allow safe access to and from the stage.

As well as the full colour, LED system, Staging Services also stocks a stylish check pattern in black and white vinyl and traditional polished parquet dance floors to suit different events.

(Jim Evans)

UK - The seventh annual A.C. Lighting North event in Leeds last week (1-2 May) saw the biggest increase in attendance levels since the event began - attracting over 30% more visitors than last year.

Owing to a construction delay with the new bigger Royal Armouries Saviles Hall, the event took place in its original location - a move which proved conclusively that the show has now outgrown the venue and will need the extra capacity to cope with predicted attendance levels in 2008.

The event provided a showcase of over 70 leading brands for buyers in the Midlands, North of England and Scotland, and also served as a platform for many exhibitors to unveil their new products to a UK audience for the first time this year.

This year's seminar highlights included unique talks from leading lighting designers Bernie Davis and Andy Doig, PSA general manager Andy Lenthall, and Barco crea

UK - Stage Electrics training has recently become accredited to IPAF and PASMA, boosting the number of courses the company is able to offer.

IPAF's training objective is "to promote the use of safe working practices in the operation of mobile elevating and mast climbing work platforms and thereby make a positive contribution to the prevention of accidents".

In the early 1980s, PASMA devised a training course for users of alloy towers, now universally acknowledged as the industry standard, and so commenced a long history of skills training to make the use of access towers as safe as possible by producing many thousands of competent users.

The current Stage Electrics training programme now includes accredited courses, PASMA Mobile Access Tower training and IPAF Mobile Elevated Work Platform training (MEWP). The courses are a mixture of theory and hands on practical e

UK - 5 Star Cases recently supplied Alconbury based Elstree Light & Power (ELP) with a series of specialist cases, complete with transparent access flap doors to house their new range of power distro systems.

The brief was to provide a splash-proof case for two different types of distro units - allowing the systems to be used indoors or outdoors. The cases also featured a number of other new options.

The design, completed by 5 Star's Andy Stockdale to a spec by ELP's Ronan Willson, included the hinged access flaps to coincide with the location of specific sets of connectors. A hinged access flap was also provided for the main control panel consisting of MCB's, mains switches and neon indicators. These were machined from toughened clear acrylic sheet enabling all the functions to be clearly seen and checked without opening the flap.

Stockdale, head of 3D software at 5 Star, u

UK - As the ABTT Theatre Show draws closer (13-14 June, Royal Horticultural Halls, London), the Association of British Theatre Technicians reports that current pre registrations are indicating another record attendance and that again over 100 exhibitors will showcase a spectrum of technical solutions for everyone involved with housing and presenting the performing arts.

Amongst the many innovations on display will be the new power hoist from Unusual Rigging - The Revolution which is a flexible and efficient winch solution presented within a standard 52cm x 52 cm truss and travels in conventional roadboxes. It has single or multiple use within truss runs with either single or double wires on each winch.

Mayr Transmissions is exhibiting two new designs and three additions to existing designs within the ROBA stop range of fail-safe brakes for theatre and stage equipment /winches.

India - The second PALME India integrated entertainment technology show promises to grow by as much as 25% under the weight of the sub-continent's fast-developing infrastructure, according to the promoters.

Inaugurated last year as PALA India, this year's exhibition (4-6 October, Bombay Exhibition Centre) will be spread over 3,000sq.m of exhibition space and is expected to feature around 200 brands distributed across 115 stands.

This is the target for exhibition manager James Raffoul, who has been taken on by IIR Exhibitions to maximise PALME India's potential. Having previously worked on high-profile exhibitions for Brintex and Emap, Raffoul says he couldn't resist the challenge to consolidate an incipient event in such a fast-emerging market.

"The fact that last year the show attracted 120 exhibiting companies spread over 75 stands, with 2,500 visitors attending, indi

UK - Event and exhibition services company PSL has named Lauren Steadman as a new director of the company, in recognition of the success she has had heading up PSL's Exhibitions Division.

Steadman is well-known in the exhibitions industry. Coming from the music and photographic industries into the audio-visual business, she pioneered the provision of official AV services to exhibition events, becoming exhibitions director at Samuelson Communications.

A founding director of PSL in 1990, she has since spent time in the USA, opening an office in Los Angeles. Since 2003, she has been running PSL's Exhibition Division, establishing and consolidating the company's position as Official AV and IT Suppliers to leading exhibition organisers in the UK.

Steadman's promotion to PSL's main board coincides with the start of one of the busiest summers ever for PSL Exhibitions, with the addi

UK - As the ABTT Theatre Show draws closer (13-14 June, Royal Horticultural Halls, London), its Organisers' - the Association of British Theatre Technicians reports that current pre registrations are indicating another record attendance and that again over 100 exhibitors will showcase a spectrum of technical solutions for everyone involved with housing and presenting the performing arts.

Computers Unlimited will showcase its Vectorworks Spotlight entertainment and lighting design software. Featuring new upgrades its now offers PDF import and export and legend improvements. The programme offers a comprehensive range of 2D drafting and 3D modelling and production management capabilities with advanced lighting design, visualisation and production tools that benefit all phases of the design process - saving time and money.

US based City Theatrical will introduce its Stackers Taper

Germany / China - 110PRO Ltd, the international event supporter and owner of the Stagehands.de and Hostesses.de brands, has announced the appointment of Li Xiuming as assistant to supervisor Shu Zang at the company's Beijing office, which opened in January 2007. Since joining 110PRO Ltd, she has been busy working on research, business development and preparing for the 2008 Olympics.

A native Chinese, Li Xiuming studied at the North China Institute of Aerospace Engineering and the renowned Hebei University in Baoding. She speaks not only English and French, but also Japanese.

"I am very pleased with the new support in the office, we have so much to do and new challenges are popping up everyday," reports Shu Zang, the supervisor in China. As of now, Li Xiuming is the point of contact for production issues in China.

Stagehands.de directs a unique and constantly expand

UK - British Harlequin will be exhibiting at the ABTT Theatre Show 2007 to be held at London's Royal Horticultural Halls, 13-14 June. Showing a wide range of examples from their extensive range of floors for performance and display, visitors will able to examine many different floor types with expert support on hand to provide guidance and advice, says the company.

Although widely recognised as world leaders in floors for dance and the performing arts, Harlequin also provide special flooring for television studios, exhibitions and display. Harlequin manufactures a comprehensive range from portable, roll-out floors to cushioned, heavy duty permanent floors, plus permanent and touring sprung floor systems. These are complemented by a range of accessories including tapes and cleaning products, roll straps, storage bags and an extensive range of ballet barres.

Immediately prior to

UK - BeamHoist is the latest addition to Stage Technologies and will be promoted, along with the company's other products at the forthcoming ABTT Theatre Show. Installed at venues in the UK, Europe and China, it provides a low cost power flying systems that is fast and simple to install and i easy to operate. BeamHoist is ideal for smaller venues such as school theatres, conference centres and television studios, says the company.

Also on show will be the Illusionist control console, billed as an affordable entry level console offering all the advanced programming and operating tools of the standard Chameleon software.

Saxis control unit is Stage Technologies' portable single axis system designed for theatre productions, live music concerts, TV and film studios that would like to move a single piece of scenery, fly a performer or "whiz a film camera across a set".Tow

UK - Brent Woods has been appointed general manager of Litestructures Studios. Canadian born Woods will report to Litestructures GB managing director, Adrian Brooks, and will be responsible for business development, operations, marketing and sales for the Litestructures Studios rehearsal facility.

Since its opening in May 2005 the Studio has hosted production rehearsals for Coldplay, Robbie Williams, Muse, George Michael, Westlife, Meat Loaf and many others.

Adrian Brooks says, "This is an exciting new appointment for Litestructures. Brent brings with him considerable experience within both the live music and television production sectors. He will bring real innovation to this role and establish the Litestructures Studio as the UK's premier rehearsal facility."Brent Woods adds, "Litestructures has built a wonderful facility which is unique not only in Yorkshire,

UK - Le Mark Group has appointed John Henry's as its new London Stockist for its gloves & accessories range. John Henry's already offers an extensive range of spares, accessories, equipment and instruments, sold from their 5000sq.ft showroom, 'The Pro Shop', at its London premises.

Mark Gibbons, Le Mark Group's business development manager comments, "The Setwear Gloves & Accessories range only started a few years ago with Le Mark. Since the addition of the IronClad range we've noticed a tremendous increase in interest from both end-users and existing distributors. The addition of John Henry's stocking the range is a huge advantage, especially as they are a company already well established within this industry but, most importantly, one that is known as a friendly, fast and reliable supplier."

Paul Cooper, Pro Shop sales manager adds, "Having grown up in an indus

UK - When Spanish fashion house Mango wanted to make a serious splash for the launch of its new Prestige Book to London's fashion and general press, its event design company turned to the River Thames for a backdrop, and to the company that knows the river as an event venue better than most - Vertigo.

The presentation of 'Mango in big words' was designed by Elsinor of Spain as a celebrity surprise reveal in which the press, gathered on the Millennium Bridge, would be treated to a sail-by of giant pages from the book.

That was to be followed by a presentation by the celebrity guest - Elizabeth Jagger, the new face of Mango - and speeches at the Old Billingsgate Market in the City of London.

The production brief required technical director Adam Wildi and Vertigo's project team, headed by MD Becky Loughran, to organise and equip suitable vessels to transport the giant pa

UK - Hoist UK staged its inaugural Motor and Truss Workshop, hosted by Litestructures GB in their premises in Wakefield, utilising their new rehearsal space with their own Lee Brooks presenting an informative truss section on the second day.

The workshop was also enhanced with the guest speaker Siobhan Hitchen from Rope Assemblies, who went through wire rope inspection and LOLER requirements as well taking part in the workshop as a student.

The main emphasis of the workshop included the current and potential future legislation that the entertainment touring and event industry could encounter. This subject was very competently covered by Verlinde's Hans van der Moolen, who has been at the forefront of the advances in technology and safety within the entertainment event rigging industry throughout Europe for the last 30 years.

Tony Dickson, one of the founders of Hoist UK, say

UK - J&C Joel, working in partnership with Strabane District Council and Production Services North, has supplied and installed a stage flying system and mechanical engineering to the new Alley Arts & Conference Centre in Strabane, Northern Ireland.

The project was handled for J&C Joel by contracts manager Tony Griffiths, who assisted in the technical design of the building and in the client's final choice of stage equipment.

The client chose a highly flexible arrangement of 14 3-phase, 250kg, single speed, 4-line electrically operated pilewind winch units, plus six 4-line hemp sets.

The Alley is a new 270 seat multi purpose venue funded by a £750,000 Lottery grant - the area's largest-ever award from the Arts Council for Northern Ireland. It is also the first dedicated arts facility designed for the enjoyment of all the district's 37,000 residents. A designated link fr

Germany - Bosch Security Systems has added a visual notification appliance to its range of 420 Series fire-detector accessories. The Strobe 420 Series is compatible with Bosch's base sounder to provide optimal visible and audible fire alarm warning in a wide range of applications. The strobe has a new LED design that produces synchronised, high-visibility flashes at 1Hz. Light flashing in the 1 to 3 Hz frequency range avoids possible blinding effects or disturbance to persons with photosensitivity. The 420 series strobe is an addressable device with the advantage that it is loop powered, freely configurable and determining which strobe is switched on and in which event.

When used with a Bosch 420 Series detector base, the strobe can be used as a stand-alone device. It also allows automatic component identification, address assignment support and functional security in the event

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