PLASA Rigging Conference 2011 Announced

Following the success of last year's PLASA International Rigging Conference, PLASA Events has announced the return of this pioneering two-day event to be held once again alongside PLASA 2011, at Earls Court, London on Monday September 12 and Tuesday September 13.

The first PLASA Rigging Conference took place amid universal acclaim from the global entertainment rigging community. Over 200 delegates attended from 22 countries and gave an overwhelming endorsement to the return of the conference this year.

Robin Elias, technical director, Unusual Rigging Ltd states: "The first PLASA Rigging Conference, last September, was opened in style by our managing director and mentor Alan Jacobi LVO. Under the guidance of Chris Higgs, the conference proved to be a huge success, bringing together a wealth of knowledge and experience from across the globe. Raising for discussion some very interesting, pertinent and sometimes controversial issues and we eagerly await the second conference scheduled for this September."

The aim of the PLASA Rigging Conference is to provide a unique worldwide specialist forum bringing together international rigging companies, riggers, venue operators, and tour and event production managers. With its focus on rigging and working at height for temporary installations, this second conference promises to deliver an update on many of the technical issues raised at last year's conference and to provide a fresh new platform for delegates to review best practice, dispel some myths, discuss standards, and share expertise.

The new line-up of speakers includes a keynote presentation by Steve Colley, an industry pioneer with over 25 years experience in technical live events, talking about his involvement in Macau with the world's biggest water based show House of Dancing Water. There will also be a repeat of the lively open Question Time debate with Unusual Rigging's Alan Jacobi LVO.

Other confirmed speakers include CM's Cristiano Giavedoni, Liftket's Matthias Müller, PLASA's Ron Bonner and Conisbee Consulting's Bob Stagg. A précis of all the sessions and panelists confirmed to date can be viewed at the conference website.

The full program will be announced shortly, and will include a packed agenda of conference sessions, panel discussions and exciting practical demonstrations.

A special early bird discount on the delegate ticket is available until July 1, also on the site. All conference delegate passes include complimentary access to the PLASA 2011 exhibition (September 11-14, 2011).

In addition to the conference, a new Riggers Forum will be launched on Sunday, September 11, which is aimed at freelance riggers who are unable to attend the full conference but would nonetheless like to take part in discussions about issues affecting their daily work.

Higgs, of Total Solutions Group, conference consultant states: "The idea is to offer freelance and company riggers a 'pie and a pint' and the chance to catch up with colleagues, followed by a short presentation of interest before we hold a 'Question Time' session to close. We are asking for questions to be sent in advance so the panel can prepare some answers to get the ball rolling and we will be inviting questions from the floor. This has never been tried before, and I'm hopeful we'll get a good attendance of riggers that actually do the work on site, and give them the opportunity to discuss many of the issues affecting the freelance rigging community."