International Laser Show Experts Gather in San Antonio, Texas for Annual ILDA Conference and Awards

	ILDA Lase-off

Laser companies from the around the world recently came together at the 2012 International Laser Display Association (ILDA) conference in San Antonio, Texas, to see the latest in laser technology, learn about safety, and celebrate award-winning laser shows.

ILDA's 24th annual conference began on November 4 and commenced with 15 laserists taking an all-day laser safety officer course; 12 of the 15 students passed the two-hour test and received their LSO/laser shows certificate. In the evening, the conference officially opened with a rooftop Texas barbeque complete with a live four-piece band plus host Tim Walsh of Laser Spectacles on saxophone. The next day began with ILDA's annual business meeting where Turkish laserist Olga Eser was newly elected to the board of directors.

At the advanced technology workshop, representatives from Coherent, DexLogic, Kvant, LaserAnimation Sollinger, Lightline Lasertechnik, and Pangolin showed attendees the latest developments in projectors and software. In the evening, attendees watched beam shows and graphics shows at the lase-off. Eliav Kadosh of Lightwave International won the first-ever laser jockey competition, scoring highest over five other laserists who played live to both familiar and new music to show their chops.

The next day, ILDA held seminars on safety, awards, and proposed projector standards. A new feature, the laser projector shootout, compared a number of different laser projectors, so that subtle differences could be discussed.

The conference highlight was the 2012 ILDA awards banquet. Awards were given to the top laser shows and technology achievements of the year. Lightwave International from the US came away with seven awards, followed by Germany's LOBO and LaserAnimation Sollinger, and Russia's Orion-Art Multimedia who each had five awards. ILDA's most prestigious honor, the career achievement award, was presented to Tom Harman of LaserNet in Miami, Florida, both for his excellent shows and for his service to the laser display industry. On the final day, November 7, attendees relaxed and networked on a bus and boat tour of San Antonio.

The ILDA trade association and its annual conference are all apart of a greater initiative and vision to help expand the laser industry as a whole in a safe and ethical manner.