PLASA Focus Triumphs for Second Time in Texas

Packed seminars, busy booths, and new product launches confirmed PLASA Focus: Austin as an unmissable industry event for Texas.

Over 700 attendees gathered on the show floor at the Palmer Events Center to see over 50 of the biggest brands showcasing the latest products and technology. High End Systems launched Version 2.0 of Hog software, to be used in conjunction with their Hog4 range of lighting consoles; Aeson Event Technologies launched the RPM Wash 720, a new seven by 20W LED moving head; Martin Professional had two new products on their booth; the MAC Viper Quadray and the Jem Ready 365 Hazer; and Group One had some of the latest products from Avolites, DiGiCo, and ElektraLite on display.

The free to attend Professional Development Program was as popular as ever, with sessions offered from some of the industry's leading talents including the Eurovision Song Contest's technical director, Ola Melzig; Rich Davis, Jimmy Buffett's' audio engineer; and Marc Stephens of MPS Studios. Exhibitor sessions included an introduction to CAST Software's revolutionary BlackTrax; a look at Hippotizer media servers by TMB, for Green Hippo; a review of how to blend LED with traditional fixtures from Chauvet Professional; and an introduction to Avolites Titan Version 7.

Christopher Toulmin, head of PLASA Events, commented: "We made the decision to return to Austin following the success the first-ever PLASA Focus held in the city back in 2012. Once again the event has proven to be a hit with the region's entertainment and technology community, providing its members with the opportunity see the latest products, do business, and meet new people in a relaxed and friendly environment."

Exhibitors were just as pleased with the outcome of the show. "It was a great show for us. We had quality traffic and quality leads. We felt the show served a clear purpose in allowing us to meet with customers and new customers we had only dealt with on email before. It was money well spent." commented Leigh-Anne Aiken, managing director of SHS Global.

Keith Bennett of Morpheus Lights added: "I am happy that Morpheus attended the show with the goals of showing new product and expanding our dealer network. We made some great contacts that will become profitable and received an impressive purchase order on the show floor!"

Visitors also spoke enthusiastically about the benefits of attending. "PLASA Focus provides me with access to key players in the industry in my own back yard. I get time with each exhibitor to get questions answered and have in-depth conversations, which ignites my creativity and allows me to take new ideas back to my classroom and my design work," commented Andrea Bilkey, associate professor and head of design at Texas Tech University.

Katy Hallee of Doghouse Productions stated: "The ability to have all these manufacturers at my own back door is a great cost saving over having to travel to other industry shows. The new downtown Austin location makes it very accessible as well." Visitor Landon Gaus added: "The quality of the sessions brought me back for the second day. This is a great place to see a broad range of relevant new products."

Organizers PLASA Events has confirmed that a substantial number of exhibitors have already signed up for the next PLASA Focus, taking place in Nashville, Tennessee, on February 18 - 19, 2014, at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium. Free registration is open now at www.plasafocus.com/nashville.

PLASA members, Focus series exhibitors, and regional dealers all benefit from substantial discounts on exhibition space. All events and seminars are free for visitors to attend.