PLASA Focus Leeds 2025 sets the standard

PLASA Focus Leeds 2025 returned to the Royal Armouries on 13^th – 14^th May, drawing a vibrant cross-section of the live entertainment technology sector for two buzzing days of connection, innovation and learning.

This year’s show welcomed 2,852 professionals, an increase on the 2024 show. The quality of attendees continues to thrive, with 687 directors, owners, or chairs representing 16 percent of the audience. Significantly, when combining senior roles and those in sales, procurement and specification, nearly 40 percent of the professionals on site held final decision-making responsibility, underscoring the event’s commercial impact.

A broad spectrum of industry roles was represented, including sound and lighting engineers, technicians, production and tour managers, lighting designers, venue and operations staff, as well as consultants, buyers, lecturers, content creators and marketing professionals. Students also played an important part, reinforcing the show’s relevance to the future of the industry.

“PLASA Focus Leeds is a great exhibition to network with existing clients and suppliers as well as to meet potential new ones. The atmosphere is so different to other exhibitions and is more focused on people rather than flashy stands,” said Caroline Graves, SES (Entertainment Services) Ltd.

“There’s something truly special about this event: no towering booths, no over-the-top displays — just genuine conversations, strong connections, and an incredible atmosphere. Even our senior management team from Germany came over, and all agreed it’s one of the best, most enjoyable shows they’ve attended. It’s a refreshing, down-to-earth experience that more exhibitions could learn from. Let’s keep PLASA Leeds just as it is. Authentic. Friendly. Focused,” said Oliver Webb, Country Sales Manager UK/IRE, Adam Hall Group.

Sponsor support

This year’s show was proudly supported by headline sponsor Ambersphere Solutions, alongside nine new official sponsors: A.C. Entertainment Technologies, BeamZ, Disney Cruise Line, HH Audio, J&C Joel, Link UK Solutions, QolorFLEX, Rentman and SIXTY82. Their involvement contributed to a rich and dynamic show floor, with increased visibility and footfall.

“It’s always exciting to bring the latest technology directly to the UK lighting and production community, and PLASA Focus Leeds provides the perfect platform to do just that. We also really valued the opportunity to be headline sponsors again this year – it’s a role we take great pride in,” said Maria Tate, Ambersphere Solutions.

“Being an official sponsor at PLASA Focus Leeds 2025 was a fantastic opportunity which didn’t disappoint. The additional branding across the venue really elevated our presence and helped drive traffic to our stand. The entire experience from exhibiting to sponsoring was incredibly easy, with support available whenever it was needed. We had some great conversations from students, integrators, dealers & distributors, and other exhibitors. We’re already looking forward to PLASA Focus Leeds 2026!” said Emma Thompson, HH Audio.

“For us, PLASA Focus Leeds is a highlight every year. It is the perfect opportunity to present our products and the latest innovations to the public. Each year, more and more professionals attend, to whom we can offer the right solutions and with whom we can exchange ideas about the future of lighting technology. This is always of great value to us. Thanks to this, we can look back on a particularly successful edition of PLASA,” said Rudy Velders, BeamZ.

A vibrant show floor experience

This year’s event featured 215 exhibiting brands, spread across two sold-out halls and a buzzing outdoor courtyard. The show once again struck the right balance between accessibility and depth, allowing professionals to engage meaningfully with new products and technologies.

“Returning to PLASA Leeds is always a pleasure… meaningful conversations with new contacts in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere,” said Theresa Gibson, Area Four Industries.

“PLASA Leeds is an invaluable event in our calendar. We return every year because it gives us the fantastic opportunity to share our latest products, and the innovations behind them, directly with our target audience,” said Franes Durkin, LANG UK.

“Being on a trade stand at PLASA Focus is a pleasure. The intimate show means more chance to network and have great conversations with colleagues, clients and partners both new and old,” said Lizzy Prowling, AED Group.

An energised programme of talks and training

Backed by seminar sponsor Vectorworks, the 2025 programme offered over 30 sessions designed to inform and inspire. Topics ranged from AI and lighting networks to colour theory, business growth and career development.

Tim Smith of Artistic Licence delivered Navigating Networks – IP Networking for Lighting Controls, breaking down protocols and practical system design. d&b audiotechnik’s Maximising Your Sound System Design in Pre-Production walked through predictive audio tools for improving on-site results. AI’s growing role was tackled in Cue The Algorithm and The Man Machine, which looked at the impact of automation on creative and technical roles.

Sessions such as Get Noticed, Get Work and Become A Financially Savvy Freelancer provided real-world advice for freelancers, while Dreaming Of Growing Your Own Business explored funding and startup strategy through an engaging game-based presentation. Demystifying Colour in Performing Arts & Broadcast Lighting, hosted by White Light, challenged assumptions about LED lighting quality, and sustainability was addressed head-on by speakers from Robe UK, Pearce Hire, and the Royal Ballet & Opera.

“This year’s programme captured the full spectrum of our industry,” said Sophie Atkinson, PLASA Head of Events. “From technical learning and creative discussion to social issues and future careers, it was a powerful expression of where live production is headed.”

Hands-on learning, live demos and outdoor energy

Professionals engaged with new tools and techniques throughout the show. ChamSys delivered practical lighting control training, from Group Cues to FX and GeNetix networking. KV2 Audio hosted full-scale product demonstrations in the Bury Theatre, marking the first time the on-site venue was used for this purpose, allowing for an acoustically optimised, immersive demo experience. Meanwhile, SOWA brought their wireless speaker system outdoors – adding energy to the bustling courtyard and giving attendees a fresh sonic experience.

“Whether on the booth or in the training suite, it’s great to see people learning tips and tricks to get the most out of our products,” said Alex Pole, ChamSys.

Supporting the next generation of industry professionals

PLASA Focus Leeds 2025 also strengthened its commitment to nurturing emerging talent. Students from Leeds Beckett University took part in a tailored programme led by Sophie Beasor of The Power of Events, which included a welcome session, an introduction to the show, a curated map of recommended exhibitors to visit, and professional headshots courtesy of the official show photographer.

Jonathan Scott, Live Events Technical Tutor at Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies, also brought along a group of his Technical Events students to tour the show. He commented: “Thanks to Prolight for a great conversation with the students about their new fixtures. CHAUVET for demoing their consoles and DPA Microphones for wanting to get involved in our next microphone shootout.”

Throughout the seminar programme, several sessions catered specifically to early-career professionals, including Get Noticed, Get Work, Step Into My Shoes, and the PLASA Student Forum, where students from across the UK shared their aspirations and concerns with industry leaders.

“The event gave me a deeper understanding of the events industry and has only strengthened my passion for pursuing a career in this field,” said Sehar Kamran, UK Centre of Events Management Student at Leeds Beckett University.

A smart digital companion for a smarter show

Making its debut in 2025, the PLASA Focus Leeds app transformed how professionals navigated the event. With over 2,200 unique downloads, the app allowed attendees to access their entry badge, view the interactive floorplan, save favourite exhibitors and sessions, receive real-time updates, and even schedule appointments – all from their mobile device. Its launch was widely praised and made planning and navigating the show faster and more intuitive.

Looking ahead

PLASA Focus Leeds returns to the Royal Armouries on 12^th – 13^th May 2026, with momentum already building for another strong sell-out edition. To register interest for next year’s edition, visit www.plasaleeds.com/register-interest