2012 Stage Expo in Long Beach
USITT, the United States Institute for Theatre Technology anticipates a bigger, better Annual Conference & Stage Expo than ever in 2013, with more exhibitors and excitement.
USITT already has surpassed last year’s 30,000 square feet of exhibit space sold for the 2013 Stage Expo, according to Stage Expo Manager Ron Procopio. The event will be held at the Delta Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, March 21-23.
“With four months until the doors open, we anticipate even more companies will decide to participate,” Procopio said. Stage Expo 2012 in Long Beach, California, drew 197 exhibitors and set an attendance record of over 5,000 people from every segment of the entertainment industry, all 50 states and 26 countries.
To make more room, USITT has reconfigured the Stage Expo space so there are still choice spots available, and USITT can already say it will have more on the floor than ever in 2013. Besides industry giants such as ETC and Wenger, many new companies will be showing off their products, including Clear Wing, Studio Gear, Adaptive Technologies and Dazian. Returning companies such as Chauvet will be showcasing new LED fixtures specifically geared for theatre, including an LED ellipsoidal spot and an LED Fresnel-style fixture. USITT expects the 2013 Stage Expo to feature 25 percent more audio and 15 percent more scenic providers than last year.
USITT has an online map of Stage Expo and list of current exhibitors so visitors can see all those who will be participating.
New exhibitor venues for Stage Expo 2013 include the Innovation Gallery, a 20- by 20-foot space for companies to display new wares; Innovation Stage, featuring 20-minute demonstrations by participating companies; and Light Lab, focusing on new technologies and uses from lighting designers and manufacturers.
As the Annual Conference & Stage Expo grows, so does its audience. It attracts a wide range of designers, stage managers, owners, and academics looking for products, services and ideas for staging world-class productions. Registration to date boasts a 5% increase over last year’s record breaking show. More of the directors, production managers and theatre consultants that guide the industry will be in Milwaukee.
For more information on exhibits and sponsorship opportunities, contact Ron Procopio at 800-938-7488, ext. 107, or [email protected]. To learn more about the Annual Conference & Stage Expo, visit www.usitt.org/2013.