direct from: www.etnow.comRegularsContentsthis monthJobs and CareersWeb DirectoryFeaturesIssue: 320Robe Returns to The Future at PLASA 2019page 14October 2019Claypaky has announced that Marcus Graser is, with immediate effect, the new CEO of the company. Marcus takes the place of Pio Nahum.The PLASA Awards for Innovation, organised with LSi magazine, took place at the end of a vibrant Monday at the PLASA Show 2019. PLASA 2019 was held in Olympia’s National Hall page: 9page: 13page: 2page: 31pages: 28 to 31PLASA 2019 was held in Olympia’s National Hall in London from 15-17 September etnow’s editorial camera walked the aisles.LIGHTING | SOUND | VIDEORIGGING | STAGING | DRAPESw: hawthorn.bizt: 01664 821 111e: hire@hawthorn.bizCIRCULAR STAGING Offers flexibility Made up of four quandrant sections Concentric rings can be added to reach desired size Sizes available 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 and 28ft diameter circlesAVAILABLE TO HIREVari-Lite’s new VL800 Series now shippingVari-Lite and Signify has announced that its new Vari-Lite VL800 Series of fixed and moving head LED fixtures is now shipping.“The VL800 Series has been very well received,” says Martin Palmer, senior product manager, Vari-Lite and Strand Luminaires at Signify. “We’ve taken great care in their design to ensure that they look, move and feel the way you would expect from Vari-Lite, but with a cost profile and feature set that fits installations and smaller rental applications…”More on page 12PLASA Innovation Award winners for 2019page: 16Claypaky has a new Chief Eexecutive Officercontents this monthOctober 2019page no.FeaturesTECHNICAL STANDARDS FOR PLACES OF ENTERTAINMENTRevised in February 2017 Available now from www.etbooks.co.ukpage : 5page : 6page : 12page : 1213 PLASA Innovation Award winners for 2019 The PLASA Awards for Innovation, organised in collaboration with LSi magazine, took place at the end of a vibrant Monday at the PLASA Show 2019. The Awards recognise and reward pioneering product designs and the people behind them and are widely respected as they are independently judged by a team of industry experts with a variety of specialist backgrounds. This year saw 36 entries for the Awards, with the judges selecting seven winners and one Gold Award winner. 14 Robe Returns to The Future at PLASA 2019 Inspired by the launch of its new PLASA Innovation Award-winning ESPRITE moving light (with fully replaceable LED engine and a host of other ground- breaking features) and the iconic Back to The Future movie franchise, Robe presented the first in a new trilogy of expo live performance concepts at the PLASA 2019 expo in London. The show #ReturnToTheFuture was created to highlight Robe’s newest technologies in the context for which they were designed. With an original DeLorean MMC12 as the set centrepiece, six dancers, and around 200 Robe lights including ESPRITES, Tetras, T1s, SilverScans, MegaPointes, Spiiders, Tarrantulas and LEDBeam 150s rigged in the roof and all around the sides of the booth, plus stunning special effects and a pool of water containing Robe IP rated iPointes, the eight-minute 428-cue (that’s one every 1.12 seconds) show was performed to a special soundtrack and kept all the visual surprises flowing. It drew massive crowds to the Robe booth which was packed throughout the three days of the entertainment industry trade expo.Register forKeep up to date by signing upat www.etnow.com/etexpressWeekly News Headlines16 PLASA 2019 was held in Olympia’s National Hall in London from 15-17 September etnow’s editorial camera walked the aisles.from the editordirect from: www.etnow.comEntertainment Technology is published 12 times a year in conjunction with the leading industry portal www.etnow.comEditor: John OffordTechnical Editor: Jackie StainesPublished by: Entertainment Technology Press LtdThe Studio, High Green Great ShelfordCambridge CB22 5EGTelephone: +44 (0)1223 550805Fax: +44 (0)1223 550806Website: www.etnow.comemail: editor@etnow.com© Entertainment Technology Press Ltd.Subscription Rates:Annual Subscription for 12 issues (UK): £27.50Annual Subscription (overseas): £50.00Subject to acceptance, subscription is free to UK based industry professionals.Subscribe online at: www.etnow.com/etmag/Opinions expressed in Entertainment Technology are not necessarily those of the publishers. All rights are reserved and reproduction of any part in whatever form is prohibited without the prior permission of the publishers.etnow.com (entertainment technology news on web) is the industry portal site with news from around the world added daily under various sector headings coupled to an extensive archive. The site also features a books section where titles from Entertainment Technology Press can be ordered online via our secure Sage Pay credit card services.Issue: 320GDS FoH Fund offers up to £10,000 worth of front-of-house lighting to one lucky theatreTheatres Trust, the national advisory public body for theatres, is delighted to announce a partnership with the award-winning, specialist LED lighting manufacturer GDS to offer a new in-kind award. One small not-for-profit theatre will be awarded up to £10,000 of front of house lighting, courtesy of GDS.GDS manufactures LED lighting equipment and controls for lighting foyers and bars as well as a range of back of house and stage management products. The GDS FoH Fund will deliver a complete GDS solution package including lighting design, installation and complete project management throughout, allowing one theatre to benefit from a full upgrade to its front-of-house lights.Theatres Trust will provide its expertise to draw up a shortlist for what will certainly be a popular scheme as theatres look to improve their environmental sustainability by improving their audience’s experience and upgrading to front of house lighting to LED technology.Jon Morgan, Theatres Trust director says: “We are grateful to GDS for its generous support in creating the GDS FoH Fund. The launch of this scheme is timely as we know many theatres are keen to reduce their environmental impact and improve the front-of-house experience, both of which can be vital in making a small theatre more financially sustainable. Theatres Trust are uniquely placed to connect theatres with kind offers from our corporate supporters.”GDS co-founder Richard Cuthbert adds: “Having been a passionate supporter of the Theatres Trust for many years now, we are extremely proud to be able to give something back to the industry and make a real difference to the future commercial diversity of a UK theatre. The GDS FoH Fund can offer a brilliant opportunity to create warm and welcoming spaces in the most sustainable way.”Applications are open to any not-for-profit theatre, amateur or professional with less than 500-seat capacity. The deadline is 29 November 2019. Further information is available on the Theatres Trust website.October 2019news4Claypaky announces new go-to-market and distribution structure in the UK and IrelandAs part of the restructuring process of its sales organisation in some regions, Claypaky has announced the appointment of A.C. Entertainment Technologies Ltd. (AC-ET) as the new Claypaky distributor for the United Kingdom, and its sister company, A.C. Entertainment Technologies Ireland Ltd. for the Republic of Ireland.Marcus Graser, designated CEO of Claypaky, says: "We are honoured by AC-ET’s decision to dedicate special resources and commitment to the distribution of our products; the collaboration between our two companies started back in the 70s but this new agreement, based on a shared vision of a more modern relationship, marks a decisive change that everyone will benefit from."Jonathan Walters, AC-ET’s UK sales and purchasing director, remarks: "We are delighted to be working with Claypaky. The brand has been a leader in stage lighting for decades, producing some of the world’s most iconic lighting products."Emilio Cornelli, Claypaky’s sales manager for the UK and Ireland, declares: "We greatly appreciate the team of AC-ET’s industry professionals; their experience and the company’s world-class service will be of great benefit to all the customers in the sectors in which CP's products are used.”www.claypaky.comBrompton Technology ranked in Sunday Times Hiscox Tech Track 100Brompton Technology has ranked in the annual Sunday Times Hiscox Tech Track 100 league table for the second year running, moving up to 76th place.The Sunday Times Hiscox Tech Track 100 league table ranks Britain’s 100 private tech (TMT) companies with the fastest-growing sales over their latest three years. It is compiled by Fast Track and published in The Sunday Times on 8th September 2019.Brompton continues to enjoy considerable growth and commercial success. This is thanks in no small part to the sales of its 4K Tessera SX40 LED processor and XD data distribution units, as well as its commitment to exceptional customer service.“We’re delighted to feature in the Sunday Times Hiscox Tech Track 100 league table once again,” says Brompton’s managing director Richard Mead. “In May, Brompton also appeared in the Sunday Times WorldFirst SME Export Track 100 league table, which ranks Britain’s 100 small and medium-sized (SME) companies that have achieved the fastest-growing international sales over the last two years. Everyone should be very proud of what their hard work is achieving.”TMB Welcomes Lauren Drinkwater Lauren Drinkwater has joined TMB’s global customer development group. Lauren arrives with an extensive background in sales, support, and business management in the entertainment technology and production field. Lauren’s role at TMB is to build customer relationships, increase awareness of TMB’s products and service, and directly assist TMB’s European distribution partners. Lauren will be based out of TMB’s UK office.full story etnow.com people news4Issue: 320news5Cast appointed exclusive Elation distributor in SwitzerlandCast Swiss Light Consulting, an Elation partner in Switzerland since 2015, is now the exclusive Elation Professional distributor in the country after a recently signed agreement that went into effect on 1 September. Founded in 1986 and located in the town of Villeneuve in south-west Switzerland, Cast manages a portfolio of top entertainment technology manufacturers, focusing on the distribution of stage and lighting equipment to stage lighting and production companies, theatres and TV studios.With the new exclusive partnership, Cast expands its professional portfolio to include Elation’s complete range of innovative lighting products, allowing the company to offer its customers more complete solutions. “As one of the bigger lighting companies in the industry, Elation is a fast growing brand in Europe with a reputation for high quality and top level service,” said Cast CEO Silvio Cibien. “This is exactly what we look for in a partner, a company that strives to be the best. We delight in demonstrating to customers the added value of investing in Elation products. The product range is very extensive with solutions to fit all sizes of projects and all types of demand.”Sales and marketing manager at Elation Europe, Marc Librecht, commented: “Cast has just what we were searching for in a reliable partner; an experienced, knowledgeable and personal team with a proven track record of performance. They are adept at meeting customer requirements and finding creative solutions and, importantly, are committed to providing exceptional customer service. We look forward to continue working with them, now as our exclusive distributor.”In picture: Marc Librecht (Elation), Thomas Gottschlich (Cast), Alain Suard (Cast) and Alistair Smyth (Elation).www.elationlighting.comOctober 2019news6Brompton Technology expands customer facing teamIn line with its continuing rapid growth, Brompton Technology has announced the expansion of its customer facing team with the additions of Dries Vermeulen as business development manager (Europe), and Chris Grandin as technical support manager.Vermeulen, a familiar and highly respected face in the LED industry from his days at Barco, VER and ROE Visual, brings a wealth of experience in a technical and commercial capacity. He will be based in Belgium, perfectly positioning him to be in close contact with Brompton customers throughout Europe.Grandin, who has relocated from South Africa, has most recently held the positions of group technical advisor for the Gearhouse Group of companies and technical services supervisor at Christie Digital Systems. He brings over two decades of expertise in the demanding field of live entertainment and events, providing technical solutions and backup for creative staging ideas at events reaching audiences from under a hundred to a few million, across South Africa and internationally.Vermeulen and Grandin join the customer facing team alongside familiar faces including Rob Fowler, now in the role of senior business development manager and US-based Sean Sheridan, regional technical manager – Americas. Adam Callaway, who recently celebrated five years with the company, moves to the newly created position of technical project manager, and Luke Hurford, who continues to be based in China, moves to the role of regional technical manager – APAC.“Dries will be a fantastic addition to the business development team. I have known him for many years and have huge respect for him having had the pleasure of working together at VER and subsequently collaborating during his time at ROE. His extensive knowledge of the LED industry, both from a technical and business perspective, will be a great asset to Brompton,”says Fowler. “Providing first-class technical support is such a huge part of what Brompton is all about. Chris is the perfect person to take on that responsibility as we respond to the rapid growth Brompton is experiencing.“I am delighted to welcome these new faces to Brompton Technology and to know that we have a team that can support Brompton customers anywhere in the world. It’s also very pleasing to see the progression of some long-standing staff members into exciting new roles.“Both Chris and Dries share the Brompton commitment to technical excellence and high quality. These new additions will help us build on the fantastic growth we are seeing through 2019, and to be ready for even greater things in 2020.”In picture: Chris Grandin and Dries Vermeulen.ETC grows UK sales team with Matt CowlesETC has announced the hiring of Matt Cowles as field project co-ordinator for its London office.As the company continues to grow, the new role sees Cowles provide technical sales and manage projects across the country. He will be responsible for sales arrangements of key accounts in this region and support regional sales manager, Jeremy Roberts in working with ETC and High End Systems’ dealers, distributors and customers.A familiar face in the UK with 17 years of experience working in the industry, Matt joins the company from Ambersphere Solutions Ltd where he worked in technical sales for seven years. As key account manager, Cowles was responsible for numerous product lines and the development of the business with a focus on theatre. Prior to this, he worked in the live events sector with UK-based dealer Stage Electrics in the role of business development manager.Regional sales manager, Jeremy Roberts comments: “We are delighted to have Matt on the team. His knowledge, experience and contacts in the industry makes him a valuable resource to ETC and our customers. We look forward to working together and continue expanding our offering across the UK.”www.etcconnect.comBruno P. Souchaud to head up GLP’s new French operation GLP has reinforced its growing profile in the French market by appointing the highly experienced Bruno P. Souchaud to head up its newly-formed subsidiary, GLP France.With nearly three decades’ experience at the very top of international show lighting, including three years with the French GLP distributor LA BS, he was the natural candidate for the position, as GLP board member Kasper Gissel emphasises. “We are fortunate to have the services of such a lighting industry veteran as Bruno,” he said. “The move will bring us closer to our customers and key LDs. GLP has been specified by French LDs for many years, and previously we have done business directly with the major rental houses in France. So the timing is perfect for GLP to put a more solid structure in place and to further increase our presence in the market.”After obtaining degrees in Sound Technologies at Paris Louis Lumière Institute and Acoustics at Conservatoire National des Arts & Métiers, Bruno P. Souchaud began his career as a sound engineer. But he turned to intelligent lighting when “Pro Audio started to get a bit boring. It was passing the peak end of the analogue era, with the only moves forward being more channel strips and more buttons.”The formation of joint subsidiaries by Claypaky and Pulsar gave him his opportunity and he was appointed managing director of CP&P France. He later occupied senior positions at Martin Professional France, CSI and NS Distribution, where he also became designer of all Mobiled products. He then joined France’s number one wholesaler/distributor LA BS before moving into the media and becoming Web Editor at SoundLightUP, the industry’s leading French news portal.Bruno says he is relishing the new challenge. “When Udo [Kuenzler], Kasper and the GLP team set out to emulate the formula that had worked so well for the UK and Nordic countries, namely to have someone focus solely on GLP’s extensive portfolio in France, I jumped at the chance, especially given the exciting launch of the Fusion range. I wouldn’t have moved for a copycat brand or a brand without GLP’s level of creativity and innovation.”Setting out his short term goals, he said his mission will be to meet all the important French rental/production companies to reinforce both products that are highly specified on riders, such as the X4 Bars and JDC1, and those newly introduced, such as Highlander, the full KNV range and Fusion. GLP will follow up by participating at the JTSE Show in Paris at the end of November where they will also meet many of the key French lighting designers.“So there’s a lot of exciting work to be done,” he concludes.www.glp.dehe only you needOctober 2019news8New Headquarters for ChamSysThe spacious facility on Brooklands Courtyard that ChamSys Ltd. now occupies represents more than a new headquarters for the growing lighting console manufacturer. The building also epitomises a commitment on the part of ChamSys to build on its already-strong tradition of providing unparalleled quality products and customer service.Occupying a large section of the new building is a multi-line manufacturing centre that will enable ChamSys to expand its volumes and simultaneously build MagicQ Stadium and MagicQ Compact consoles. An extensive product soak and QC area ensures ChamSys products are manufactured and tested to the highest standards. The new stores and dispatch warehousing will facilitate ChamSys’ ability to maintain high stock levels to service its worldwide distribution network as it experiences an ever-increasing demand for its products,Prominently featured in the facility’s design are its service department and customer training area. Reflecting its commitment to customer service, ChamSys included a dedicated repair centre, two fully equipped training rooms for regular training courses, and a stand-alone pre visualisation suite for visiting programmers. The facility also houses ChamSys R&D facilities with space for the Engineering team, which has recently doubled in size as ChamSys invests in new product development.“The new headquarters reflects our dedication to maintaining the highest quality standards as we grow,” said Chris Kennedy, managing director of ChamSys. “We’re extremely happy with how our new facility will enable us to accelerate our product development whilst maintaining our high product quality and software excellence. ChamSys is committed to providing the best value and service to the customer.”Autograph is Shure Pro Audio Partner of the Year Shure UK has announced Autograph as its 2019 Pro Audio Partner of the Year award.The award was presented at PLASA show 2019 by Stuart Moots, associate director UK Pro Audio Group as part of their annual program to acknowledge the exceptional work carried out by Shure partners each year.This year’s award was presented to Autograph Sound Recording for their exceptional dedication and commitment to wireless best practice that delivers results at the highest level.“Autograph were an early adopter of Axient Digital and have been a great ambassador for digital wireless technology,” says Stuart Moots, UK Pro Audio director. “They’ve shown unwavering commitment to delivering first-class results at a time when the RF landscape remains challenging, particularly in highly congested spaces like London’s West End. Autograph deliver everything we expect from a Shure partner, and more; it’s easy to see why so many theatre productions call on them to deliver. They are a great team to work with and we look forward to building on this year’s success.”Will McGonagle, hire manager, Autograph comments: “We are delighted to be named Shure’s rental partner of the Year for 2019. Axient Digital, and in particular, the ADX1M transmitters have very quickly become a crucial part of our inventory. Along with the PSM1000 IEMs and countless microphones you will find now Shure in every theatre you find Autograph.”In picture: Will McGonagle and Stuart Moots.7news9Issue: 320Claypaky has a new CEOClaypaky has announced that Marcus Graser is, with immediate effect, the new CEO of the company. Marcus takes the place of Pio Nahum who, starting from 1 October 2019, will retire after spending 30 years in the lighting industry.Marcus Graser, 42, is an experienced executive coming from OSRAM – mother company and sole shareholder of Claypaky – where he spent the last 15 years in a variety of different roles. When Claypaky was acquired, he led the OSRAM side of the integration and, since that time, entertainment has been one of his business focal points.“I am proud of having become the new CEO of Claypaky,” says Marcus, “and to oversee the exciting progress we anticipate in the years to come. I feel however, that this is the right time to express, on behalf of an entire Claypaky community, our sincere gratitude to Pio Nahum for his excellent contributions as well as pragmatic, visionary and passionate leadership that allowed the company to achieve important results.”Pio, who has spent the last ten years at Claypaky, says: “I am glad to hand my responsibility over to Marcus; we have been working together since January and he has acquired a perfect understanding of our organisation, our market and our business. I am confident that Marcus will carry out his new assignment with the utmost professionalism, enhanced by the enthusiasm and innovative attitude that are part of his personality.”In picture: Marcus Graser and Pio Nahum.www.claypaky.comAlistair Smyth Joins Elation Europe in Technical SalesElation Professional’s European headquarters has announced the hiring of Alistair Smyth, a 24-year industry veteran who joins the growing office’s technical sales department. Smyth comes to Elation with a proven background in customer, technical, sales and project support and will provide technical advice, assistance and training for Elation’s extensive product line.Originally from Northern Ireland, Smyth lived in England for many years before recently relocating to Kerkrade, The Netherlands, home of the Elation Europe headquarter office, where he has already started in the new position. ”I have moved from England to the Netherlands to join Elation and I am excited and happy to join the team here,” he said. “The Elation brand has been known to me for many years and I jumped at the chance to be a member of the technical and sales force. I hope to provide a valued contribution to both customers and staff.”Prior to Elation, Smyth worked as a technical sales co-ordinator at Flashlight Ltd., a distributor of entertainment industry technology near Manchester. He has previously worked in the video department of A.C. Entertainment Technologies (Leeds) and in Canada for Christie Lites, where he was head of service in the rental company’s Toronto office. He also has experience from High End/Flying Pig Systems and Vari*lite Production Services (PRG).“Alistair’s many years of industry experience are invaluable and we are delighted that he has joined our team here in Kerkrade,” stated Elation’s European sales and marketing manager Marc Librecht. “He brings a skill set to the department that will benefit both our sales team and customer base. He not only has technical know-how and problem solving abilities, he is customer focused with an eye for detail that we are confident will strengthen the Elation brand and market presence.”www.elationlighting.comNext >