Laser Industry Gets Together at the 2011 ILDA Conference

The International Laser Display Association (ILDA) annual conference took place in Moscow; this was the 25th anniversary of the organization. The three day long conference was held in mid November at the Radisson Blu, located in the heart of Moscow. It was hosted by Russian the company Orion-Art Multimedia and sponsored by Pangolin Laser Systems Inc., Coherent, Aixiz, Laser Spectacles, Lasertainment, Lightwave International, and individual sponsor Craig Nelson.

Each day of the conference focused on a different topic relating to the laser display industry. The even kicked off with the ILDA general business meeting, in which all companies present voiced their opinions on what they see happening in the laser display industry, and then proceeded with the nomination and election of the new ILDA board of directors and president. Christine Jenkin, of Laser Production Network in Miami, was elected president; new board members elected were Dan Goldsmith, of X-Laser, and Justin Perry, of Pangolin Laser Systems.

Following the business meeting, participants joined for two more seminars. First was the ILDA Artistic Seminar, in which members shared their viewpoints and thoughts about the art of laser display and how this relates to the work they are currently involved with. This was followed by the ILDA Technical Workshop, in which many notable companies such as Coherent, Pangolin, Lightline, and others shared new technologies they have emerging, which promise to take the industry to a whole new level.

Following these meeting and seminars, members came together for the fun and excitement offered by the ILDA "Lase-Off," which provided an opportunity to see laser shows from all over the world, in a fun and informal environment. Conference participants were free to showcase their own custom-made shows in front of the audience, sharing their ideas and concepts for what makes a great laser light show.

The ILDA Awards ceremony and banquet highlights the work that participating member companies have done in the field of laser entertainment, display, and technology. At the November 12 banquet, 16 companies were honored in categories such as nightclub/disco/rave show, live stage show, and multimedia show. Top winners included Germany's LOBO electronic, with nine awards, and Lightwave International, from the U.S., who received eight awards. Orion-Art Multimedia was also well-represented with five awards. Among the shows honored were Trans-Siberian Orchestra's tour (Laser Design Productions), the Muse 2010 tour (ER Productions), the opening of Melbourne's new AAMI Stadium (Oracle Attractions), and theme parks Mirabilandia (Scenes di Giuseppe Zagaria) and Europa Park (LOBO). In addition, Stephen Heminover, of Aura Technologies, received ILDA's Career Achievement Award. He is a pioneer of laser computer graphics and served four terms as ILDA president in the 1990s.

On the last day of the conference, members joined together for a "culture day," exploring such Moscow highlights as the Kremlin, ending the conference with a river boat cruise along the scenic Moskva River.

For a complete list of 2011 ILDA Award winners, visit the UL listed below.