The Laser Industry Unites at the 2011 ILDA Conference

Nov. 27, 2011 - PRLog -- Orlando, FLA - The International Laser Display Association (ILDA) was founded in 1986, and is the world’s leading organization dedicated to advancing the use of laser displays in the fields of art, entertainment and education. Each year ILDA has an annual conference which brings the world’s leading laser companies from around the world together to discuss the “laser business” as a whole, celebrate their shared passion for laser entertainment and to honor the notable work currently taking place in the fields of laser display and entertainment. This year’s 2011 ILDA Conference took place in the beautiful city of Moscow, Russia, and was also the 25th Year Anniversary of the organization. Here is a recap of this year’s conference, and a summary of what the folks at ILDA see taking place in the fascinating world of laser.

The three day long ILDA Conference was held in mid November at the Radisson Blu located in the heart of Moscow. It was hosted by renowned Russian laser entertainment company Orion-Art Multimedia and sponsored by notable laser companies Pangolin Laser Systems Inc., Coherent, Aixiz, Laser Spectacles, Lasertainment, Lightwave International, and individual sponsor Craig Nelson.

Each day of the conference focused on a different topic relating to the laser display industry, and a variety of topics were covered. The conference started out with the ILDA General business meeting, in which all companies present voiced their opinions on what they see happening in the laser display industry and then proceeded with the nomination and election of the new ILDA Board of Directors and President. Christine Jenkin of Laser Production Network in Miami was elected as the new ILDA President and the other New ILDA Board Members elected were Dan Goldsmith of X-Laser and Justin Perry of Pangolin Laser Systems.

Following the business meeting, participants joined for two more seminars... First was the ILDA Artistic Seminar, in which members shared their viewpoints and thoughts about the “art” of laser display and how this relates to the work they are currently involved with. This was followed by the ILDA Technical Workshop, in which many notable companies such as Coherent, Pangolin, Lightline and others shared new technologies they have emerging, which promise to take the industry to a whole new level.

Following these meeting and seminars, members came together for the fun and excitement offered by the ILDA “Lase-Off”... Which provided an opportunity to see laser shows from all over the world, in a fun and informal environment. Conference participants were free to showcase their own custom made shows in front of the audience, sharing their ideas and concepts for what makes a great laser light show.

And perhaps the most notable part of the ILDA Conference each year, is the ILDA Awards Ceremony and Banquet. This prestigious event highlights the great work that participating member companies have done in the field of laser entertainment, display and technology. Each year a panel of judges ranks each members entry, and then the winners are announced at the Awards Ceremony. At the Nov. 12 ILDA Awards Banquet, 16 companies were honored in categories such as Nightclub/Disco/Rave Show, Live Stage Show, and Multimedia Show. Top winners included Germany's LOBO electronic, with nine awards and Lightwave International from the U.S. who received eight awards. The host of the 2011 Annual Conference, Moscow's Orion-Art Multimedia was also well represented with five ILDA Awards. Shows were honored for events such as the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's tour (Laser Design Productions), the Muse 2010 tour (ER Productions), the opening of Melbourne's new AAMI Stadium (Oracle Attractions) and theme parks Mirabilandia (Scenes di Giuseppe Zagaria) and Europa Park (LOBO). In addition, at this year’s ceremony, Stephen Heminover of Aura Technologies received ILDA's highest honor, the Career Achievement Award. He is a pioneer of laser computer graphics and served four terms as ILDA President in the 1990s.

On the last day of the conference, members joined together for a “culture day” in which they explored the wonderful highlights Moscow has to offer such as the famous Kremlin, and ended the conference by taking a spectacular river boat cruise along the scenic Moskva River. It’s not “all about business” at ILDA, and the organization felt that it was important to offer participants the chance to see and experience Moscow together and to share these memories with each other for years to come.

The overall feeling at this year’s conference was one of vigor and excitement for the future. Most members agree that the industry itself is growing, and it appears that it will continue to grow. Some of the main concerns existing, were how to continually advance the safe and professional use of lasers, and how to further promote the amazing effects and displays that can be created using laser. The new ILDA Board hopes to address these concerns in the upcoming months, and work together with the existing member base to ensure the safe, professional, and ethical use of laser display in the art and entertainment fields.

For a complete list of 2011 ILDA Award winners, visit http://www.laserist.org/awards2011.htm.
A selection of photos is available at ILDA's Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/InternationalLaserDisplayAssociation.

ILDA would once again like to thank this year’s host and sponsors:

Orion Art and Multimedia (Conference Host)
http://www.orion-art.com

Pangolin Laser Systems Inc.
http://www.Pangolin.com

Aixiz
http://www.aixiz.com

Coherent
http://www.coherent.com

Laser Spectacles
http://www.laserspectacles.com

Lasertainment
http://www.lasertainment.com

Lightwave International
http://www.lasershows.net

Craig Nelson

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The International Laser Display Association (ILDA), was founded in August 1986, is the world's leading organization dedicated to advancing the use of laser displays in the fields of art, entertainment and education.

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