Plasa has reported steady visitor attendance at its 2011 exhibition at Earls Court, buoyed by a range of new interactive features.

The Professional Lighting and Sound Association (Plasa) reported a preliminary visitor result of just over 12,000 this year, on par with last year’s 12,078 (ABC audited). Events manager Sophie Atkinson said attendees were treated to a number of new features including the Society of Television Lighting and Design’s LED luminaire shootout, expanded Theatres Trust Ecovenue and the first Plasa Production Bar in Earls Court 2.

"Exhibitors have been enthusing about the high quality of visitors and the rate of sales enquiries, and with hundreds of new products being launched, there has been a great return on investment for them,” Atkinson said. “We expect to see many back here at Earls Court next year."

Atkinson highlighted its expanded education programme as another strong offering in this year’s line-up. This included the second annual Plasa Rigging Conference, which was attended by 175 delegates from 18 countries. Seventy rigging professionals also turned out for the informal Riggers' Forum on 11 September - an increase of 60 per cent on expected numbers.

"The strength of the Plasa Show, its vibrant atmosphere, its supporting programme of events and the fact that so many exhibitors choose it as their new product launchpad underlines its importance in the international marketplace,” Atkinson added.

The London Plasa show returns to Earls Court from 9 to 12 September 2012.

In the meantime, Plasa has commenced on a restructure of its association operations, which we see a new head of events appointed next year.

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Photo by Chris Toulmin.