Lighting
News
Features
Product
Guide
Links
This page is made by
Roger Malmer.
Product
News
Lighting
| Innovation
Takes
Lighting
Product News Published: 17 July 2005 This drive for creative excellence is reflected in the PLASA Awards
for Innovation – a series of eight awards that puts the focus
firmly on the best design and development work going on across the
industry. With an industry now spending significant sums on R&D, and so much at stake, the Awards have come to represent the highest standards of excellence: to ensure this remains the case, the strict entry criteria has been further tightened up to filter out products that are simply developments of previous entries. Further changes are also planned for the 2005 awards: with the demand for energy efficient technologies growing, the organisers are re-introducing an award for environmental impact. Awards judging panel chairman, James Eade, says: “As the focus on this area increases, as well as the reduction of harmful substances in manufacture, it’s good to recognise those who divert an element of R&D spending into benefiting the environment. Products can be nominated where owners can demonstrate a clear strategic success in areas such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, a concerted effort to reduce harmful materials in manufacture (above and beyond that required for RoHS compliance) or similar environmental gains.” The environmental award will be an additional award to the eight product awards and, like the others, will be given at the discretion of the judges. All money raised from the entry fees goes direct to charities that have a direct link to the industry. Previous recipients include Livewire Youth Project – a centre in Cornwall that provides music and performing arts facilities for young people - and two pilot schemes, supported by the Live Music Forum, one providing a rehearsal centre in Swansea and the other enhancing the information and communication technology aspect of music teaching. Established over 15 years ago, the Awards have a reputation for tapping into the latest trends: many previous winners have become industry-standards, some delivering unique creative solutions, others improving the working practices adopted by the industry. Almost all of these winning products can be found in projects across the world, delivering solutions that 15 years ago would not have been possible. For further details on the awards and a list of nominations will be announced shortly, visit the PLASA Show 2005 website – www.plasashow.com Facts
about PLASA Show 2005 Innovation Awards: The Product Excellence Awards
have been a popular feature of the show for many years, highlighting
the exhibition’s significance as a focus for new developments
in the industry. To reinforce this role, the awards were relaunched
in 2004 as the Innovation Awards. The previous assessment criteria,
which segmented the nominations into product groups, was removed
and there are now eight Awards for Innovation. The nominated products
will be showcased in the stylish Innovation Gallery, sponsored by
Lighting&Sound International magazine. The judges will be looking
for products which advance the industry, demonstrate a new style
of thinking, represent a key step forward in safety terms or improve
technical practices. In addition, a ninth award is being introduced
for 2005 to recognise those who divert an element of R&D spending
into benefiting the environment. Donations to Charity: Exhibitors are asked to
pay a nominal entry fee, the majority of which is donated to various
industry charities.
|
| Links |
|