ILDA Awards 2000 in Germany

The "International Laser Display Association" (ILDA) is the umbrella organization of all professional enterprises in show laser business worldwide. The approximately 150 members of the US-based association meet once a year for a conference.

Whereas last year's meeting was held in "Walt Disney World", Florida, LOBO from Aalen in cooperation with MediaLas from Hechingen invited to "ILDA 2000" taking place in Germany for the first time.

The majority of the participants from all over the world already joined the Welcome Reception in LOBO's new premises on October 5th. Everybody wanted to get a personal idea of this company famous for its outstanding laser creations as well as for its advanced technical solutions for laser shows and multimedia applications. LOBO's General Manager Lothar Bopp: "We are very glad to notice that in 2000 ILDA has become aware of the fact that some of the biggest and the most innovative enterprises in laser show business are based in Germany."

During the three following days, the participants of the conference took the opportunity to exchange their experiences in workshops and seminars or to discover new products at the trade show in Stuttgart's SI-Center. In the membership meeting a new chairman was elected: Chris Ward, who had been ILDA-president for years, resigned and was replaced by Tony Zmorenski of Walt Disney World.

Two evening events in the Concert Hall in Karlsruhe marked the glamorous highlights of the conference. During the Lase-Off, being open to non-members for the first time, the latest laser spectacles of ILDA members were presented in a 2-hours show marathon.

In the last night's traditional ceremony the best shows of the year were recognized by the prestigious ILDA Awards, known as the 'Oscars' of the laser show industry. Everybody obtaining an ILDA Award belongs to the exclusive club of the world's leading laser show designers. With 10 awards, i.e. one quarter of all prizes, LOBO again received more ILDA trophies than any other company.

LOBO's Art-Director Alexander Hennig: "It is very difficult to measure creativity objectively. Therefore, ILDA itself, consisting exclusively of competing laser show companies, is certainly the best organization to judge the most creative designers among their own members. We are very glad and proud that, this year again, we could defend our leading position and that we were especially successful in the categories mostly disputed."