These awards celebrate the most cutting-edge technology in lighting, audio, AV, staging, rigging, and beyond, recognizing products that bring something new to the table—whether it’s a technical advancement, a sustainability innovation, or a clever commercial approach.
Organized in collaboration with LSi, the awards are independently judged by a panel of experts who know how to identify true innovation. All shortlisted products are showcased in the Innovation Gallery at PLASA Show 2025, which takes place at Olympia London from 7–9 September.
In addition, the products appear online in the event’s Virtual Innovation Gallery and benefit from exposure through email and social media campaigns, reaching a wide audience of industry professionals.
The Awards for Innovation are open to everyone—whether you're exhibiting at the PLASA Show, a PLASA member, or simply have a product worth showcasing.
If you submit your entry by Friday 1 August, you'll receive a 20% early bird discount and your product will be included in LSi's editorial coverage ahead of the event. The final deadline for entries is Friday 22 August. The winning products are announced during an exclusive industry event on the evening of Monday 8 September, during the PLASA Show.
These awards recognize authenticity and real value over advertising or marketing. If your product improves life for those who use it, the judges will see it. Being recognized can make a big difference, says James Eade, chair of the judging panel.
Up to eight products are selected to receive the coveted Award for Innovation, and one may be honored with the prestigious Gold Award. A Sustainability Award is also presented to products that demonstrate significant environmental impact.
Last year's winners included some of the most inventive brands in the industry. Glensound received the Gold Award for its GTM Mobile interface, the first of its kind for mobile eSports audio. Other winners included HIVE for its compact media players, Ampetronic & Listen Technologies for their Auracast listening system, Fourier Audio for its powerful plug-in server, and Astera, Karno, and Robe for outstanding lighting and audio innovations. Vari-Lite earned the Sustainability Award for a retrofit engine that gives existing fixtures a new lease on life. Several other products were also commended for their creative approaches to production challenges.
