Orlando, FL, November 25, 2012 -- Laser companies from the around the world recently came together at the 2012 International Laser Display Association (ILDA) Conference in San Antonio, Texas, to see the latest in laser technology, learn about safety, and celebrate award-winning laser shows. ILDA’s 24th annual conference began on November 4 and commenced with 15 laserists taking an all-day Laser Safety Officer course; 12 of the 15 students passed the 2-hour test and received their LSO/Lasershows certificate. In the evening, the Conference officially opened with a rooftop Texas barbeque complete with a live 4-piece band plus host Tim Walsh of Laser Spectacles on saxophone. The next day began with ILDA's annual business meeting where Turkish laserist Olga Eser was newly elected to the Board of Directors.
At the Advanced Technology Workshop, representatives from Coherent, DexLogic, Kvant, LaserAnimation Sollinger, Lightline Lasertechnik, and Pangolin showed attendees the latest developments in projectors and software. In the evening, attendees watched beamshows and graphics shows at the Lase-Off. Eliav Kadosh of Lightwave International won the first-ever Laser Jockey competition, scoring highest over five other laserists who played live to both familiar and new music to show their chops.
The next day, ILDA held seminars on safety, awards, and proposed projector standards. A new feature, the Laser Projector Shootout, compared a number of different laser projectors, so that subtle differences could be discussed.
The Conference highlight was the 2012 ILDA Awards Banquet. Awards were given to the top laser shows and technology achievements of the year. Lightwave International from the U.S. came away with seven awards, followed by Germany's LOBO and LaserAnimation Sollinger, and Russia's Orion-Art Multimedia who each had five awards. ILDA's most prestigious honor, the Career Achievement Award, was presented to Tom Harman of LaserNet in Miami, both for his excellent shows and for his service to the laser display industry. On the final day, Nov. 7, attendees relaxed and networked on a bus and boat tour of San Antonio.
The ILDA trade association and its annual conference are all apart of a greater initiative and vision to help expand the laser industry as a whole in a safe and ethical manner. As the leading international association for the lasershow display entertainment industry, ILDA encourages laser companies and associated individuals to experience the benefits of an ILDA Membership for themselves, which are listed here:
http://www.laserist.org/benefits.htm
For more information on ILDA, or becoming a member, please visit our website at
http://www.laserist.org and our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/InternationalLaserDisplayAssociation. 
About the International Laser Display Association (ILDA)
Founded in 1986, ILDA is a worldwide non-profit trade association dedicated to advancing the use of laser displays in art, entertainment and education. While increasing public awareness of laser light shows, ILDA is also an association that provides a base for laser display companies. ILDA members primarily consist of laser light companies that sell or manufacture equipment and provide related services. Being associated with ILDA, members can have professional backing that will supply information on new technologies, safety issues, regulations and other topics of importance to the industry at large.
ILDA promotes the use of laser displays in the international marketplace through awards programs, publications, technology standards and a code of ethics.
ILDA also represents the industry on safety issues and provides forums for members to exchange ideas, forge partnerships and explore new technologies.
ILDA members can use the association's name and logo in approved ways to advertise their membership as an ethical, professional company helping to improve the laser display industry.
ILDA helps members relate to each other not as competitors but as colleagues who share common goals and problems.
Working together, members have the ability to solve problems faster and more productively than working alone.
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Media contact: Justin Perry
ILDA Board of Directors
(407) 421-5542 [email protected]