PLASA hosted its 2019 Members’ Day & AGM at the Royal College of Physicians, London on 1 May to reflect on a year of standout projects and ongoing industry initiatives. PLASA chairman Adam Blaxill opened proceedings with news of the association’s key developments and achievements over the past year, and PLASA Treasurer Mark Surtees reported on its strong financial performance, and success across the membership, events and media divisions.
PLASA MD Peter Heath then welcomed a series of active members who have helped to steer the association and wider industry. ETC’s Adam Bennette provided an update on the single lighting EU Ecodesign regulations, followed by Peter Willis (Howard Eaton Lighting) and Wayne Howell (Artistic Licence) who delivered the latest in lighting protocols and celebrated the success of PlugFest, the annual event for lighting interoperability.
Board members Matt Lloyd and Koy Neminathan reported on PLASA’s recent Manufacturers’ Forum event, revealing plans for future member forums, while Steve Giudici discussed the importance of ASPEC’s work for the film industry. Jessica Allan (Productionomics) and Trevor Wilkinson (Purple Market Research) followed with an update on the recent research commissioned by PLASA for the industry.
Peter Heath raised awareness of the importance of good mental health in the work place, followed by John Simpson of technical entertainment charity Backup, who revealed the indispensable work done by the charity for industry professionals in crisis.
Additionally, Heath reported on the continued growth of the PLASA Show, particularly across the audio sector, and welcomed Mary Beth Henson from L-Acoustics to the stage. Henson discussed how L-Acoustics had successfully returned to the London show in 2018, using it as a platform to promote their brand and embracing new audio demo opportunities now offered by PLASA.
Alongside lunch and networking drinks in the venue’s gardens, guests also enjoyed a talk by behavioural economist Roger Martin-Fagg who looked behind the headlines to provide insight to the economy in the wake of Brexit. The day closed with further opportunities to network and reflect on the positive messages of the day.
