PLASA Rigging Conference 2013 Expands Focus to Include Structures

The fourth annual PLASA Rigging Conference will expand this year to focus on structures as well as rigging issues, bringing in experts from both fields to share their knowledge, experiences, and advice. The PLASA Rigging Conference takes place October 7-8, 2013 at its new home, ExCeL London, and visitors are encouraged to book their tickets before the end of August to take advantage of early booking discounts.

The keynote speech will be given by one of the rigging industry's leading and longest-serving practitioners, Robin Elias of Unusual Rigging, whose light-hearted account of his long career will act as a vehicle to illustrate the challenges and rewards of working as a rigger. Elias has worked on everything from rock and roll to installing works of art, TV stunts, and the engineering for some of the largest objects moved in the name of entertainment, and his experiences are sure to inspire the next generation of riggers.

Gavin Bull from the HSE's Construction Division will present the first of three sessions on the second day of the conference, addressing the issues surrounding the use of Temporary Demountable Structures (TDS). Bull will discuss the significant impact that the UK's proposed Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2014 may have on the industry when they come into effect in October 2014. The new regulations will require the activities of all parties, from producers to sub-contractors, to be coordinated and that everyone in the employment chain understands their own responsibilities to each other. This session is highly recommended for anyone involved in the "construction" side of the entertainment industry, using prefabricated elements to build stages, roof systems, grandstands, and similar structures.

More details of additional contributors will be released shortly. Further details of the program content and speakers can be found at www.plasariggingconference.com.

Registration is live now -- early booking rates are available until the end of August; to book tickets visit the URL below.

Until 31 August PLASA Members or NRC / ETCP qualified delegates can purchase tickets for £235 + VAT. Non-members can purchase tickets for £275 + VAT.

Running alongside PLASA London 2013, the Rigging Conference has become a regular date in the diary for anyone involved in rigging and working at height for temporary installations. As the only annual event of its size that is dedicated solely to the global rigging community, it attracts professionals from over 30 countries. Out of around 200 delegates, over 40% are international visitors including not only rigging practitioners themselves, but production managers, engineers, safety professionals, and policy makers, providing an exclusive platform to examine and debate the use of newly devised products, industry practices and professional development and to review the process of standardization across the industry.