Race to Take Part Creates Buzz About Austin

PLASA Focus: Austin welcomes a raft of new exhibitors as the two-day event expands its floor plan yet again. The new style of regional event, to be held February 22-23, 2012 at the Renaissance Austin, Texas, has doubled its footprint in the past week, with over 25 companies committed to taking part and as many applications being processed.

Joining confirmed exhibitors ETC, Barbizon, Philips Color Kinetics, Doug Fleenor Design, Strong Entertainment Lighting, Chauvet, A.C.T Lighting, Global Design Solutions, CommuniLux Productions, GLP German Light Products, Daktronics Rigging, Total Structures, Arri, Rosco, Rose Brand, Robe, High End Systems, Secoa and Clay Paky, amongst others, are new exhibitors; Elation, White Light, LSC, James Thomas Engineering, Creative Stage Lighting, Inlight Gobos, Mainstage Theatrical Supply, Martin Professional, and TMB.

PLASA Focus' much-talked-about "new style" event includes free refreshments for all visitors and exhibitors, an inclusive live concert on the evening of the opening day, a strong focus on community networking and learning, and a new informal exhibition environment, including a complete departure from pipe and drape and exhibitor-built booths.

The unique, hassle-free booth system provides a new level playing field for exhibitors, and is attracting interest from first time exhibitors, including regional production companies and distributors, as well as manufacturers and rental companies. This wide scope will attract a broad cross-section of the entertainment technology community in Texas and the neighboring states, from students and end users to consultants, buyers and freelancers.

For visitors, there will be plenty of opportunity to engage with peers and meet new people, including a free two-day education and learning program created by the industry's leading names. Visitors should register online today to be the first to receive major new announcements in the weeks ahead.

In addition, PLASA Focus: Tech is a 3-4 day course of live event production training ending in a live concert which sees the students run the show. Taking place February 19-22, alongside the exhibition at the Austin Renaissance Hotel, aspiring lighting designers, front of house engineers and video designers will develop the skills needed to design their own lighting looks, video content, or audio mix. Visitors and exhibitors are invited to get together to watch it come to life in a live concert, featuring Devon Allman and Honeytribe. As an added bonus, a competition will be held for best design, with the winner receiving a one-year WYSIWYG license worth $1,150, donated by Cast Software.