The winners of the 2024 PLASA Awards for Innovation were announced at PLASA Show 2024. The awards, run in association with LSi, are respected industry-wide for celebrating future-focussed technology that improves safety, efficiency and performance through new methods and materials.
44 products were entered this year, with the judges ultimately awarding eight products. And, for the first time in a number of years, the judges were delighted to also award the sustainability award. This year’s judging team comprised 13 independent technical specialists from a wide array of backgrounds, chaired once again by chartered engineer and LSi columnist, James Eade.
The INNOVATION AWARD winning products and judges’ comments are listed below:
Glensound, GTM Mobile 
The judges felt that this feature-rich unit has really addressed issues found in the live mobile eSports industry.
Hive, Beeblade / Beebox 
This device impressed the judges with its flexibility and price point in bringing video servers to the wider market.
Ampetronic, Auri 
The judges felt that this product is leading the field in audio accessibility and paving the way for future developments.
Fourier Audio, transform.engine 
The judges believe this is an elegant solution for the integration of studio technologies in live events with reliability and functionality at its core.
Astera, LunaBulb 
This product combines a broad feature-set in a much-loved conventional aesthetic which impressed the judges.
Karno, Sepia 
This impressed the judges for enabling classic analogue outboard effects to be used in the digital world.
Robe Lighting, iBolt 
This product was noted by the judges for its range of features while addressing the hazards associated with the current generation of bright light fixtures.
d&b Group, SustainSymphony 
The judges felt that this free tool promotes an open and collaborative approach to live event sustainability reporting.
The winner of the SUSTAINABILITY AWARD is:
Vari-Lite, VL2600 SE Series 
The judges found that the upcycling commitment and longer product lifecycles enabled by this product sets the benchmark for other manufacturers to follow.
COMMENDATIONS
In addition to the winners, the judges commended three products, which are:
MyStage, MyStage 
Commended for the amalgamation of software applications for increasing the accessibility of virtual performance to online DJs and similar users with minimal investment.
ROE Visual, The OneCurve Lock 
The judges commended this product for the design of its ergonomic mechanism and safety in operation when curving video walls.
Pro Tour Systems, PTS Alurack 
This is commended for providing a slick modular method of building custom 19″ racks.
Judging chair James Eade, comments: “This year’s PLASA Awards for Innovation saw a very high standard of entries, up on the numbers from last year. I’m delighted that we had two products competing for the sustainability award, with the judges deciding to award d&b Group an innovation award for their SustainSymphony, and VariLite the sustainability award for setting a benchmark in their commitment to long-term product availability and maintenance. Congratulations to all winners.”
