Industry Overview

PLASA operates across the live events, entertainment and installation industries representing the leading providers of professional audio, AV, lighting, rigging, staging and related disciplines. With over 1240 members worldwide, PLASA sits at the heart of the industry operating from regional offices in both North America and Europe.

The industry PLASA promotes and supports embraces everything from theatre, live music, film/TV and special events to night venues, architectural installations and construction projects.

As a consequence, it is a highly diverse industry operating at an international level - the connecting thread coming from the creative use of emerging technologies, which are constantly opening up new opportunities and thereby pushing the boundaries ever wider.

The array of businesses operating in the industry is equally diverse and ranges from major corporations to individual specialists, though typically the majority of businesses are small to medium enterprises employing between 10 and 50 people. Many of these operate within the supply chain, offering expertise and services associated with the technologies and project base.

The manufacturers in the sector rank among the most talented in the world, maximizing developments in technology and communications to produce highly innovative and ground-breaking products. The dealer network is strong and products move through the industry in a highly structured way, while the production and professional services companies are the creative teams that bring projects and spaces to life.

Since we operate across the creative and entertainment fields, the industry has a large number of freelancers compared to others, whose technical, creative and production skills help realise the diversity of projects and productions.

The industry also features a wide range of arts, creative and entertainment-focused organizations who between them have delivered world class performances and projects.

PLASA's experience indicates that generally the industry has performed well in the last 18 months compared with others, though reductions in spending - on corporate events and construction/refurbishment projects in particular - have impacted globally. A small number of companies, particularly those with a diverse product range, a strong advance order book or a high ratio of export revenue, have bucked the trend, trading on solid reputations.

Another key trend of the present time is the increase in mergers and acquisitions, particularly among the larger players seeking to leverage the advantages of a portfolio of brands.