PLASA
PLASA in Profile
PLASA is the lead professional body for those who supply technologies and services to the event, entertainment, communication and architectural industries. Our aim is to fully represent the sector and to ensure we are effective in serving our members' needs.
Currently we have just under 600 members worldwide and provide them with a range of initiatives, business advisory services and negotiated benefits.
PLASA has been an effective lobbyist on a range of issues, working in partnership with our political consultants Ranelagh and BEIRG (British Entertainment Industry Radio Group) to campaign against Ofcom's decision to auction all spectrum in the UK as part of its Digital Dividend Review (DDR). Our joint effort won substantial concessions for the industry, effectively safeguarding its immediate future. We continue to work alongside BEIRG/Ranelagh on clarification of further elements of the DDR, and, in parallel to these activities, are also preparing a bid to be the spectrum Band Manager.
In 2007, PLASA launched the National Rigging Certificate (NRC) and was also accredited as an Awarding Organisation by the QCA (Qualifications & Curriculum Authority) - giving us equivalent status to organisations such as City & Guilds. This allows us to take the blueprint of the NRC as the basis for our strategy to deliver further qualifications for the sector. We work in close partnership with Creative and Cultural Skills - the Sector Skills Council for our sector - and are an active supporter of major initiatives such as the National Skills Academy.
In recent months, our campaigning on sustainability and green initiatives has strengthened and we are working in partnership with a range of organisations to raise awareness of the issues and to encourage sustainable business practices across the industry.
A core part of our strategy is the development of a strong commercial model and we run a number of commercial divisions: PLASA Events is responsible for delivering the annual PLASA Show, recognised by the industry as one of the main international showcases for technology and innovation, and PLASA Focus, a new regional-based networking event, which was first launched in April 2009.
Our media divisions - based in the UK and US - are responsible for producing industry publications Lighting&Sound International and Lighting&SoundAmerica. The magazines cover the industry in all its diverse forms, offering professional, technical and design advice for readers, as well as a fast-track to industry news and developments.
As part of a strategy to grow the membership and further increase PLASA's international profile, we will be merging with ESTA - the principal trade association for the entertainment services and technology industries in North America - from 1 January 2011.
Well over 90% of Members from each Association voted in support of the merger, which will see ESTA and PLASA integrated to create a single international trade association operating under the PLASA name.
The merger is a significant development for the industry as it effectively creates the first truly international industry-wide membership body of over 1200 manufacturers, installers, dealers, service providers and consultants working across the entertainment and installation industries. Uniting under the PLASA name will lead to a stronger voice for the organisation and allow it to actively develop its range of business services and industry initiatives.