Delegate registrations for the forthcoming International Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference – to be held in London from 13-15 June – are far more than expected, according to conference director Richard Brett. “Our ‘early bird’ registration offer took off in a big way,” he said, “with a surprising number of delegates from the more distant performing lands of North America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand being among the first to sign up.”
Confirmed delegates have exceeded the number booking for the previous Conference in 2006 at the same stage in the booking period, despite the global recession. Catherine Cooper, who organised the previous two conferences in London and will be looking after the delegates again in June, said, “It’s brilliant to be working with Richard again and I am looking forward to welcoming returning friends and meeting our new delegates.” She added that the close proximity of the Conference, social events, hotels and the ABTT Theatre Show (which is in the two days immediately after Conference), means that the event will again provide the congenial atmosphere that everyone enjoyed so much in 2002 and 2006. As she put it, “Everything is nicely self-contained within the historic Westminster area of London, so delegates don’t waste time travelling between events and there is more time for networking, discussions and fun!”
Richard Brett added, “I am really exhilarated by the response from delegates and sponsors alike, and this has to be due to the world-wide reputation that the event has built up since the first conference in 2002.” He has also been delighted that potential sponsors have stressed the importance of their on-going support for this quadrennial event and that many new companies have come forward of their own volition.
Theatre engineering specialists Stage Technologies have sponsored every Theatre Engineering and Architecture Conference since its inception, and this year are again leading the pack as the main, or ‘Platinum,’ sponsor as they did in 2006. Options for the next tier of support – gold sponsors – were confirmed soon afterwards by Waagner Biro and Unusual Rigging, followed by Prolyte. Stage Electrics has agreed to sponsor the conference’s technical requirements and has joined as a gold sponsor. Steeldeck are taking on a larger role at this event than previously and are providing the tiered seating in each of the three halls. As Brett commented, “You cannot expect theatre people to attend an event in a flat-floored venue!” Conference sponsor manager, Isobel Hatton, said, “I think the importance of this conference is confirmed by the positive response from such a large number of industry sponsors. They didn’t need much persuasion from us at all!”
The wide-ranging conference programme will feature no fewer than 90 speakers from around the world. Those confirmed include theatre consultants Robert Shook and Robert Long who will be examining front-of-house areas, and consultant Josh Dachs, auditorium designer Gavin Green and the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production manager Flip Tanner looking at the development of the auditorium. Always at the leading edge of technical discussion, the conference promises to confront some of the current regulatory and engineering issues and also the less exciting, ‘unloved’ areas of performance venues. Ex-stage manager and writer Barbara Eifler and production manager, author and editor Ken Bennett-Hunter will be contributing to debate on greenrooms, wardrobe, laundry facilities, truck docks and workshops.
Although busy, the Conference programme also provides many national and international networking opportunities, social events and visits to theatres and other venues. It also expects to host the launch of the ABTT’s new publication “Theatres – A Design Guide” and the first presentation by the Society of Theatre Consultants of their ‘Award for Practical Excellence’ to a theatre building. The ABTT Theatre Show, which attracts over 2000 visitors annually, follows the Conference on 16-17 June. For further information and to book for the Conference, visit www.theatre-event.com.
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