PLASA Show 2025 shares first look at wide-ranging seminar programme 

The first wave of seminar sessions has been revealed for PLASA Show 2025, returning to Olympia London from 7th – 9th September.

With sustainability, next generation talent, industry heritage, and artificial intelligence at the heart of this year’s programme, the show sets the agenda for creative and technical evolution across the live entertainment industry.

From high-profile panels and hands-on training to heritage showcases and career-building opportunities, the 2025 line-up promises an inclusive, educational and informative experience. Proudly sponsored by Vectorworks, entry to all sessions is available free-of-charge, making the programme accessible to all PLASA Show visitors.

Celebrating 40 years of LSi with live editorial and classic gear

Making its debut in celebration of LSi’s 40th anniversary, the new LSi Theatre is set to bring to life many of the publication’s popular columns, as well as showcase sessions from a diverse line-up of industry professionals.

One of this year’s most powerful moments will take place on Sunday 7th September, when the LSi Theatre hosts Ukrainian Strength – Creativity & Resilience. Featuring Volodymyr Andrusysshyn, Olena Miloradova and others, the session will explore how Ukraine’s production professionals continue to innovate amid extreme adversity, a moving example of infrastructure, integration and sheer human ingenuity.

The LSi Theatre will also host a specially curated series of “Live” editorial sessions, which will bring some of the magazine’s popular columns to life on stage. These include: Set In Motion Live, where Sam Woodward will discuss automation in repertory venues; Second Fix Live, with audio consultant Roland Hemming; and Classic Gear Live, which will see Rob Halliday, Ian Grey and Paul Johnson will delve into how legacy gear continues to inform the systems of today.

Further “Live” editorial sessions are in development, including Early Stagers Live, Future Tech Live and The Conductor Live, with additional speaker announcements expected soon.

Sector-leading sessions

Elsewhere, seminar programme sponsor Vectorworks will present two technical sessions for sound and production designers. On Sunday, Drawing A Sound Plan With Vectorworks will see Luke Swaffield and Tom White explore step-by-step design workflows for immersive systems.

Meanwhile, Michael Harpur, Head of Technical Design at Drawn to the Light, will share details of the process involved behind-the-scenes in developing a major arena tour. Plus, delivering a complete drawing and pre-visualisation package using Vectorworks, as he presents Designing Pulp’s “You Deserve More” Tour.

Across all theatres, this year’s sessions examine how traditional roles are evolving in the face of rapid technical change.

In the Audio & AV Theatre, How Sound Design is Changing will see Chris Drohan unpack how content creation and system engineering are merging into a new hybrid discipline. Meanwhile, Roadie Reboot with Darryn de la Soul will offer a refreshingly honest look at freelancer wellbeing, with practical strategies for recovery and counteracting burnout.

Over in the Lighting & Staging Theatre, From Student to Spotlight will be a must-attend for early-career designers, with Johanna Town, David Howe, Jai Morjaria and Nick Moran sharing real-world advice.

Also in the Lighting & Staging Theatre, The DNA of Lighting Control with Declan Randall, Sarah Clausen and Luke Delwiche will look at where programming is heading, while Owners, Renters and Users with Matthew Millward will address the reality of managing multi-user lighting systems.

Sessions like these support the next generation with practical guidance and lived experience from working professionals.

Immersive demos and technical training on the show floor

PLASA Show’s offering of hands-on demos continue to grow, providing real-time exposure to some of the newest tools in the market.

KV2 Audio returns with a Gallery-level demo room, running throughout all three days on a walk-in basis. Systems on demo include the flagship SL 4.12, VHD4.21, ES1.0, and new products such as the EX28, EX1.5, EX1.8 and CS6.

Also confirmed is RCF and TT+ Audio, showcasing new high-performance systems for touring and live events. Visitors can hear the GTX 7C compact cardioid line array and KX 32-A active speaker, both making their UK trade show debut, alongside several subwoofer and point-source models. Demos run daily from 11am in a focused, acoustically treated room.

Meanwhile, AbsenLive will present a full-scale LED demo with creative partner support from Brompton Technology and Disguise. The centrepiece of the room will be the Venus 4.8 Pro, currently used on the high-profile Oasis tour, alongside the latest SA and JP/PL product lines in active visual configurations.

Lighting professionals can also benefit from practical ChamSys training sessions, which will run across all three show days, with more information on content and timing to follow.

Launching the Careers and Networking Hub

Debuting in 2025 is the Careers and Networking Hub, a collaborative initiative between PLASA, The Power of Events, Production Futures and Access Creative College.

Designed to support early-career visitors, the Hub will offer a welcoming space for networking, mentorship and professional development, including drop-in sessions, live talks and practical advice. Full details will be announced ahead of the show.

Aimed at students, freelancers and anyone exploring their next career move, the Hub reflects a growing commitment to sustainability and accessibility in the sector’s talent pipeline.

And more to come…

Sophie Atkinson, Head of Events for PLASA, comments: “We’re incredibly proud of how this year’s programme is taking shape – from the powerful session on Ukraine’s resilience, to the special LSi Theatre, and the launch of a dedicated Careers Hub. Sustainability, innovation and people are all at the heart of the show this year.”

More showcase sessions and special guest appearances are still under wraps, with further announcements expected soon.

All sessions are free to attend and operate on a first-come basis, but you do need to be registered for PLASA Show.

Register for free before 4th September and browse the seminar programme at: www.plasashow.com . From 5th September, tickets will cost £15+VAT.