When Vega Global announced that private equity firm Baird Capital had acquired a large stake in the group in January 2020, the multinational systems integrator appeared steeled for growth. However, the emergence of Covid-19 ensured a slight change of plan. Fortunately, their experienced workforce and set up has allowed their clients to fully function during the initial disruption and into the new normal. Deputy CEO Matthew Deayton reflects on a memorable year.

We managed to entice co-founder and R&D director Claudio Lastrucci out of his laboratory for a few minutes to gauge how 2020 has so far affected Powersoft SpA. Like a master chef with the right ingredients, Claudio knows how to cook up new recipes. Whilst the Tuscans may not have had the chance to celebrate their 25th anniversary as intended, they have used this time to innovate like never before.

Since their rebirth in late 2003, RCF has recorded phenomenal growth as a result of their expertise and continuous investment in personnel and R&D. Like most European manufacturers, the events of 2020 came as an unwelcome shock for the Italian brand. Displaying leadership and inspiration, general director Fausto Incerti has provided stability that will provide the bedrock for going forward in 2021. Prior to the current second wave of the pandemic, Pro AVL Central managed to travel to Reggio Emilia and gather his thoughts.

Having crawled out of the claustrophobic confines of that Zoom room, Richard finds himself in Italy. Like a breath of fresh Tuscan air, Alex Tatini removes his mask to elucidate his pioneering visions on electroacoustics and audio design in this podcast. Alex takes a break from preparing an outdoor Tuscan banquet to highlight what K-array has been cooking indoors this year.

Renowned FoH concert sound engineer Brad Madix toured has extensively around the world for some three decades with top artists including Florence & The Machine, Katy Perry, Rush, Shakira, and Van Halen. In early March, he was forced off the road as a result of the live events industry being mothballed. As a resident of Walnut Creek in California, he has painted his house and renewed his Netflix subscription whilst keeping a watchful eye on the huge fires that continue to engulf parts of the Bay Area. 

Appointed in 2016 as VP and general manager of Harman Professional Solutions APAC, Ramesh Jayaraman oversees a workforce throughout the Asian Pacific stretching from Japan to Sydney. Having overseen consolidation and refocussing of brands from the Singapore headquarters and Experience Centre over the past four years, Ramesh was naturally anticipating a vintage 2020. Strong leadership was a pre-requisite in his appointment and Ramesh has duly delivered to embolden those credentials by keeping the team focussed during the unprecedented disruptions that Covid-19 swept in.

Accustomed to formally opening trade within our industry each year, all eyes were focused on the NAMM Show in 2021 to return us back to some form of normality. However, as California continues to be locked down by the virus and hampered by possibly the worst wild fires in the state’s history, the organisers succumbed to the inevitable and cancelled the 2021 edition. In addition to announcing their ‘Believe in Music’ virtual event from 18 January, president Joe Lamond remains characteristically upbeat and driven in his quest to help MI and pro audio during its darkest hour.

Having decided to relocate both his consultancy business and himself into central London in 2016 from Sydney, Auditoria’s Scott Willsallen is globally renowned for his award winning sports stadium designs and high profile sporting ceremonies around the world. Following the 2003 Rugby World Cup, Scott’s star has continued to shine in his chosen, specialised profession. However, with stadium access continuing to be somewhat restricted, he has had to adjust accordingly.

As the last major international trade show to have been staged earlier in February, Integrated Systems Europe appears likely to be the first to kick start the industry's exhibitions in just over five months time. With the added logistical challenges of relocating this successful trade show to the city of Barcelona from its previous home of Amsterdam, ISE managing director Mike Blackman remains confident that the show will go on

Richard Lawn talks to Alex Pietschmann about how Adam Hall Group has modified its plans for 2020 after Covid-19 appeared, how ideas for a virtual tradeshow became a platform for one of the first livestreamed industry discussions, the Night of Light initiative, moving to an increasingly sustainable business model, and the importance of coming through the crisis together as an industry.