UK - London- based automation specialist Kinesys has announced the first 2012 dates for their on-going product training programme, consisting of a series of two day courses and workshops covering the fundamentals of the technology and (in separate training sessions) both their Vector and K2 automation control systems.

The next two-day General Technical & Vector Control training course takes place on 11 and 12 January 2012 - for full details, please visit the Kinesys website (address below).

The training is held at Kinesys' new purpose designed facility, which has been created as an integral part of the recent expansion to the company's HQ in Hampton, West London, which has more than doubled the available square footage.

(Jim Evans)

UK - Currently training its fifth apprentice, Robert Simmons, lifting solutions provider Lift Turn Move, based in Bromborough on the Wirral, has already shown a commitment to training future engineers. This is set to continue with the announcement from director John Jones that the company will train a new apprentice each year for the next five years.

Simmons joined LTM in July at just 16 years of age, having just left school. Whilst still at school six months prior to joining LTM, he wrote to John Jones to ask about joining the company under the scheme. At the time there were no vacancies available but his initiative impressed, so when an opportunity arose, Robert was invited to interview and got the job.

Simmons joins Joe Griffiths in the workshop as the second apprentice currently being trained at LTM. Like Griffiths, he will be spending 12 months in the warehouse receiving

USA - Free registration is now open for the PLASA Focus: Austin 2012 Professional Development Programme, a two-day programme of free educational seminars and workshops, running alongside PLASA Focus: Austin, on 22-23 February, 2012.

The programme has been designed by some of the industry's leading names and presents an opportunity for visitors to broaden their specialist knowledge and contribute to discussions about innovative projects and techniques, say organiser PLASA Events.

"Giving people the opportunity to develop their professional knowledge is key to the success of PLASA Focus: Austin 2012," comments PLASA CEO Matthew Griffiths. "We're creating an opportunity to talk about the choices behind major projects in the region, from the Austin City Limits studio and The Long Center for Performing Arts, to seminars as broad and far-reaching as the use of lightin

USA - Tom Young, vice-president of marketing at J.R. Clancy since 1998, has announced his plans to leave at the end of 2011 due to a health issue.

Young arrived at Clancy in 1993 to take the position of international sales representative, bringing the company more than 20 years' prior experience in engineering, sales and marketing of theatrical lighting at Skirpan Lighting, and Colortran Inc, and rigging systems at Hoffend, Inc. At J.R. Clancy, his capabilities drove the expansion of sales overseas, helping to make the company a significant player in major projects in Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific Rim.

A company statement notes: "As Clancy's vice-president of marketing, Young built the company's reputation as the leading manufacturer of theatre rigging systems in the United States. When the company's focus expanded to include off-the-shelf automated rigging prod

UK - Following the announcement yesterday (20 December) of Westminster School's purchase of Lawrence Hall from the Royal Horticultural Society, organisers of the ABTT 2012 Theatre Show moved swiftly to announce the event will be transferring to a new venue.

The Show's director, Roger Fox, spoke to assure both exhibitors and visitors that the 2012 Show would be going ahead, explaining: "This announcement has come as a surprise to us today and at a time when planning for the 2012 Show was well advanced. Discussions to secure an alternative venue are already in progress, which we see as also an opportunity to offer improved facilities for our exhibitors and visitors."

At present it is unsure if the Show's previously published June 2012 dates will be available at an alternative venue, but all effort is being made to avoid changes to the timing of this important annual ev

UK - London- based drape, soft goods and dressing specialists Cover It Up finished one of their busiest years to date continuing to supply solutions to a diversity of projects including high profile sporting events like the AEGON Masters Tennis tournament at the Royal Albert Hall and the Red Bull F1 Racing End of Season Party at Silverstone's The Wing.

Cover It Up has supplied various draping elements to the annual AEGON Masters Tennis event for the last eight years, working for IMG Events.

The brief this year included helping to transform the RAH's famous 'Gods' upper circle gallery area into a series of functional spaces and VIP bays. For the VIP areas, the requirement was to create luxurious and comfortable spaces for the enjoyment of key guests accessing the hospitality facilities.

This was achieved this year by blacking out half of the gallery area and dividing the othe

UK - Black Light has used its rigging and working at heights expertise to help a high-profile leisure centre refurbishment meet its completion deadline. The company used innovative thinking and a bespoke access system to reach a malfunctioning high-level LED lighting feature at the Carnegie Leisure Centre in Dunfermline. This tricky repair challenge was jeopardising the scheduled hand-over of the newly renovated centre.

"The client and main contractors on this job were Fife Council, Balfour Beatty and Barr Construction," said Phil Haldane, Black Light's head of company development. "They were very impressed with the system we devised and our professional approach to the work. Most importantly, they were delighted with the result and the hassle-free outcome to what would otherwise have been a significant sticking point for their project."

The main challenge

UK - On 1 January 2012 Elstree Light and Power (ELP) became the new owners of production rigging services company, Nippy Industries.

ELP has always had one foot in the rigging world as part of its mainstream lighting production offering, and has delivered various bespoke film and TV rigging projects in the past. This move sees a huge up-scaling in terms of the range of rigging equipment and expertise available from a single source.

Nippy Industries Managing Director, Steven Williams says: "Nippy will be absorbing ELP rigging, not the other way round. As such the quality standards of ELP rigging will be elevated to that of a dedicated rigging services company. Nippy Industries will remain able to supply the full range of services, as always, but with the vast addition of ELP equipment. We will remain in the same location, with the same core team, but gain additional ELP st

UK - After working with some of the UK's biggest music acts such as Adele, JLS and Calvin Harris, Live Effects are primed for a busy 2012. The company has seen unprecedented growth in the previous year and has now set up shop in the state-of-the-art Millennium Studios.

Located in Bedfordshire, just over an hour outside of the capital, the studios boast a generous 12-acre site, complete with helipad access and runway for clients wishing to fly in.

Established in 2006, Live Effects design and produce special effects for events from Formula 1 to theatre productions to stadium concerts; from initial design ideas, venue approval and risk assessment, through to set-up, firing and de-rigging.

Managing director Alex Jarrett comments: "We have a constant commitment to creativity and safety. All events are managed continuously to ensure spectacular and unforgettable results"

UK - Following lengthy negotiations, CPS Group has confirmed the purchase of the Stagecraft brand together with a significant proportion of assets, after the recent voluntary liquidation of Stagecraft Technical Services Ltd. The newly acquired assets have strengthened CPS' stock of industry standard brands such as ETC, Avolites, Shure, Steeldeck & Prolyte.

Richard Colegate, director, comments, "Stagecraft has been a well-respected name in the industry for over 30 years and CPS is delighted to pick up the torch and lead the Stagecraft brand into the next decade."

Colegate continues, "We look forward to working with Stagecraft customers in 2012. Combining CPS' excellence in modern lighting, audio and video with Stagecraft's expertise in stage production and outdoor structures provides exciting new possibilities. Bringing on-board Stagecraft's expertise in stage co

UK - The annual UK Festival Awards found a new home at London's Roundhouse in November where the event reached new levels of prestige with the help of a bespoke in the round stage by LS-Live.

With the awards event in its eighth year, Managing director James Drury wanted to take the festival industry's annual celebration to a new level. Moving from the IndigO2 at the O2 Arena in Greenwich to the Roundhouse in Camden meant a new format for the awards, which was hosted this year by The Cuban Brothers.

The UK Festival Awards saw 16 winners collect their trophies, following seven awards at the Conference during the day. Folk music and dance promoter Steve Heap received the prestigious 'Lifetime Achievement Award' for his continued dedication to the festival industry.

Rob Da Bank took home the new 'Fan's Favourite Festival Award' for the sold-out Bestival, whilst a panel of judges

USA - GLP German Light Products Inc. has announced that it has reached a successful conclusion to the legal situation that occurred with Global Truss America LLC. At the conclusion of matters, GLP remains the exclusive distributor of its trussing products throughout the Americas, and has announced its new name, Cosmic Truss.

Dealers and customers will be very familiar with the established logo that Cosmic Truss bears, showing its heritage and track record, says the company.

The manufacturing of Cosmic Truss, by Taiwan Georgia Corporation, is done at the very same place that has been supplying GLP with its truss products under the previous name. This facility has been making TÜV certified truss and accessory products for many years and has attained worldwide recognition for its attention to detail and quality of work. The entire product range is available within the Americas t

UK - SES have completed and shipped the first truck full of distribution to Aggreko for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The units shipped form a part of over 1000 distribution units that Aggreko awarded to SES, with a schedule going thru to the end of April this year.

Aggreko Is The Official Temporary Energy Services Supplier To The London 2012 Olympic And Paralympic Games.

SES have been selected by Aggreko to supply part of the SES custom designed, HDPE power pro range. Director of SES Mark Cooper said, "SES are relishing this amazing once in a life time opportunity to be part of the supply chain in the London 2012 Games."

(Jim Evans)

UK - The Arena Group extended its capabilities in event overlay this Christmas to supply structures for the Van Hage Garden Centre ice rink in Great Amwell, Hertfordshire, which opened to the public on 16 November.

Building on the success of last year's ice rink infrastructures at prestigious venues including London's Canary Wharf and the National History Museum, Arena was engaged by Van Hage to supply its structures to the site, creating a magical attraction for families over the festive season.

Arena's account director James Thomas worked closely with Rebecca Owen and Van Hage MD Chris Roberts, supplying 11 of its 6m x 6m Milano peak roof feature structures to accommodate the Santa's Grotto, VIP and skate hire areas around the perimeter of the ice rink site. In addition, Arena also laid the 650sqm ice rink substructure, which involved detailed calculations to ensure the stru

UK - Hoist UK has decided not to exhibit at any of the national or international trade shows this year. Instead they have decided to open a demonstration room and teaching facility at their new premises on the Wirral.

"We feel that our clients deserve to be given the time to thoroughly understand our products and services" says Tony Dickson, director of Hoist UK Ltd. "This new facility will allow a lot more one to one time to be spent with our clients than we could ever get at trade shows, and let them get a working knowledge and understanding of our products and our team so that they can be confident in what they are specifying or buying."

The demonstration room will house the full range of HUK products, as well as products from partners JR Clancy, Niscon Inc. and Verlinde, all of which will be installed and fully functional including some motion control p

Germany - The 64th Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) drew more than 900,000 visitors. The IAA has been one of the most important trade fairs for Gerriets for many years, and the company was again involved in creating the show's largest and most spectacular display - the Mercedes-Benz booth.

Over the past several years, Gerriets has supplied a variety of extraordinary ceiling coverings for the Mercedes-Benz booth. This year, the ceiling element consisted of more than 5,000 m² of custom-dyed blue muslin. Wrinkle-free suspension of the fabric was achieved by means of a custom-engineered and -fabricated 7-ton elliptical steel ring.

All components were precision-manufactured to ensure that despite the enormous dimensions there was no difficulty incorporating the ceiling element into the venue's existing steel construction.

Gerriets worked closely with Display International to help deli

UK - The PLASA 2012 free registration website is now live. Show organiser PLASA Events expects around 6000 visitors to take advantage of the special free registration offer over the next 48 hours, with early bookers saving £20 on the standard ticket price for this year's PLASA Show, which takes place at London's Earls Court on 9 - 12 September 2012.

All previous PLASA Show visitors have been sent the special offer via email, and free registration for new visitors is now live at www.plasashow.com.

"We have been offering free registration for early bookers for the past three years and each year the number of registrations soars," comments events manager Sophie Atkinson.

"PLASA 2012 will be the first show to take place after the London Olympic and Paralympic Games and it will be a celebration of our industry's contribution to this summer's events. We'll be

Poland - Gerriets Joker 95 has been used for the Polish edition of Voice of Poland show. ARAM multimedia, one of the largest and most innovative event engineering companies in Poland chose two independent Joker 95 track systems for moving led displays curtains.

The system has four independent engines each controlled by Gerriets with DMX option. As Rafal Mrzyglocki, CEO of ARAM Group sad, "We have used totally 54m of track, divided into two rails. Each track has two engines and two controllers, but the front screen has four screen tiles while the back screen has only two screen tiles. After long discussions with Gerriets, we chose the rope-free system has proved a good choice". All automation has been operated from an Avolites Tiger Touch console.

(Jim Evans)

UK / Africa - Providing extensive relief programmes throughout the world, Save the Children have already saved millions of lives, not only focusing on some of the poorest countries but also working right here in the UK.

As part of their ongoing relief programmes in Tunisia and Niger and most recently South Sudan, Le Mark's printed products team have worked with Save The Children to supply a range of custom printed tapes and labels, helping their relief workers to identify their equipment and supplies in the field.

Le Mark's print manager Jenny Darnell says, "The work that Save the Children does is truly remarkable, they're a work force that not only want to help the situation now, but also put structures together to make things better in the future. I urge everyone to take just 5 minutes out of your day and look at the work they do and, if you can, donate to support them.

UK - Flightcase manufacturer 5 Star Cases kicks off 2012 with a new, much larger, custom designed sanding booth area at its Wisbech, UK, headquarters.

This is to help increase capacity, turnaround and service and is in line with continued on-going expansion plans.

5 Star themselves undertook the main build of the new booth area, in the process removing the existing sanding and spray booths to make way for the much extended facility containing three dust extraction systems.

The new booth enclosure occupies a total area of 35sq.m and has been designed to ensure that there is plenty of room to manoeuvre - as well as for future expansion.

Air Bench Ltd. from Colchester, Essex was commissioned by 5 Star to specify the three new downdraught tables that form the basis of the sanding booths. They supplied two of their FN126784s and one of their FN189784 products, which extract the

Singapore - Formerly Singapore's largest cinema, the Kallang Theatre is now one of the country's premier performance venues. After closing since 2007 the theatre re-opened in August 2011 by staging Singapura: Lion City, a music and acrobatic extravaganza chronicling the history of Singapore.

The show saw more than 60 professional acrobats and artistes portray Singapore's rise from a small island country to one of Asia's cultural and economic powerhouses; all on a stage dressed in black stage masking from J&C Joel.

The stage masking curtains manufactured and supplied by J&C Joel were made from versatile black 300cm wide Molton (MOL002), a non-durably flame retardant brushed cotton fabric that is ideal for stage masking.

The stage blacks provided to the Kallang Theatre included five stage borders, eight legs, two wings, ten dress legs and a stage backdrop measuring ten

UK - Le Mark has announced the availability of TripLine - a new safety product specifically designed for use on the front of performance stages. The system provides a discreet visual and physical barrier to the front line of the stage for both performers and stage crew.

The Tripline system provides a clear visual indication of the stage edge even in complete show blackout situations by means of a line of LEDs positioned 30cm apart. This visual front line also has a failsafe backup in the application of a photo-luminous strip which will glow in the dark for up to eight hours without the need for an electrical power supply.

Made from aluminium box section (25mm x 50mm) and available 1m, 2m and 3m lengths, the unit can be mounted along the front line of a stage to provide a physical barrier in order to stop flightcases, stage trucks and Tallescopes from rolling over and into the

USA - Three new sessions have been added to the attractions already on offer during the inaugural PLASA Focus: Austin 2012, taking place at The Renaissance Austin, on 22-23 February 2012.

Alongside 50 exhibitors and a two-day programme of free professional development sessions, visitors can now book a place on a very special discussion presented by world-renowned lighting designer, Peter Morse. From Madonna and Michael Jackson to Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Usher, Prince, Christina Aguilera and Janet Jackson, Peter Morse has worked with some of the biggest stars on some of the biggest tours in history. Peter will talk us through his inimitable personal style, and share some of his experiences in this very special session; Lighting the Big Stage with Peter Morse.

Another major scoop is Advanced Mapping Techniques with Hippotizer Media Servers, presented by TMB

USA - With the opening of the Parker Arts, Culture and Events Centre (PACE) in Parker, Colo. late in 2011, audiences looked forward to an exciting season of more than 60 performances of 28 different shows.

The inaugural season includes productions of A Christmas Story and Annie, the premier of an original musical, a custom light show created by Luma, the Irish dance troupe direct from Ireland-Celtic Nights, and an interpreted production of Stuart Little for hearing and deaf audiences.

The new facility's 536-seat theatre - one of two performance spaces in the extensive centre - can host this diverse series of events because of the easy-to-use automated rigging system provided by J. R. Clancy, Inc., and installed by Barbizon Light of the Rockies. Barbizon's Rick Loudenburg was on the design team as the theatrical rigging and lighting integrator with Semple B

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