Robe Show Lighting warms up for PALME 2005 exhibition with major Eurovision contract win

The Czech Republic based manufacturer is supplying 330 ColorSpot 1200 AT and ColorWash 1200 AT fixtures for the event that will be staged in Kiev, Ukraine, with the final broadcast live on 21st May.

Spectra Plus, the Swedish company that has been Eurovision's technical production co-ordinators for the last 5 years, was looking for a European lighting manufacturer to team up with. Having monitored Robe's profile and position in the marketplace over the last 2 years, they decided the time was right to invite them to be a partner in this extremely high profile show. Always renowned for its ambitious visual aesthetics, the 2005 contest is particularly special, as it marks the landmark 50th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest.

After extensive testing of the suggested Robe fixtures was undertaken in Sweden, the production team concluded that they had the right fixtures to deliver the highly elaborate lighting design. They were particularly impressed with the brightness and easy programming of the ColorSpot and Wash 1200s, and the standard range of gobos in the ColorSpot.

The production period runs from 20th April to 25th May, the highlight of which is the final. This takes place in front of a studio audience of 8,000 and will be watched worldwide by over 200 million TV viewers. For the first time ever, the Song Contest is being beamed live to the US.

On April 10th, three Spectra articulated lorries will collect the 330 fixtures from Robe's factory in Roznov, Czech Republic and drive to Kiev for the start of the installation on 24th April (which coincidentally is the opening day of PALME 2005). Robe is also supplying two on-site technicians to oversee the Eurovision operation and ensure that everything runs like clockwork.

Robe's Harry von den Stemmen said, "We've been waiting for an opportunity to truly demonstrate the levels to which we have taken our products in terms of design and quality. The Eurovision Song Contest will join the growing number of high profile TV productions that have used the ColorSpot and ColorWash 1200 AT to great effect. Designers love these fixtures and Eurovision is the jewel in our corporate crown to date."

As the Eurovision installation begins, Robe will be unveiling a showcase of their products at PALME 2005 in Dubai. The event is firmly established as the Middle East's premier professional sound, light, music, audio visual and systems integration exhibition, and viewed as a must attend event on the industry trade show calendar.

"This year's event, already a sell-out, is set to build on the outstanding success of PALME 2004, which attracted 30% more exhibitors than the 2003 event, with 134 companies from 25 countries from as far away as the US, Australia, Korea and Belgium, participating" said Darren Brechin, Project Director. "This exceptional growth is the result of the high quality of the event, which has proved a great success for exhibitors as it attracts a top quality audience that includes the region's key decision makers - this year sees a 100% increase in occupied floor space, with over 400 companies represented" he added.

A highly focused B2B event, PALME is dedicated to putting key regional decision makers in contact with the world's leading manufactures and suppliers. Clear evidence of this continuing commitment is the launch of three brand new vertical arenas at PALME 2005.

"Install, Event 360 & MUSAC - the three new sectors of PALME, covering the AV installation, event staging and musical instruments sectors, are the result of extensive industry research" added Brechin. "It was clear from our in-depth discussions with exhibitors, visitors and industry associations that, given the highly buoyant nature and rapidly growing sophistication of the regional market, there was a real demand for additional dedicated events that would complement the core concept of PALME."

Internationally acknowledged as the key forum for the industry in the Middle East, the event is supported by PLASA UK, the professional lighting and sound association (one of the few shows in the world to receive their official endorsement). Other major industry associations such as APIAS (Italy), Secarty's (Spain) and ILDA (U.S.) are also enthusiastic supporters.

PALME has rapidly grown into a unique, comprehensive showcase, featuring major international manufacturers, key regional suppliers, installers and integrators from the professional entertainment and project installation industries.

Organised by IIR Middle East, PALME 2005 takes place between April 24 and 26 at Dubai's state-of-the-art International Exhibition Centre.