Entertainment Services and Technology Association
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| Entertainment Services and Technology Association | |
|---|---|
| Name | Entertainment Services and Technology Association |
| Formation | 2000s |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Membership | Entertainment technology companies, technicians, venues |
Entertainment Services and Technology Association
The Entertainment Services and Technology Association serves as a trade association linking Live Nation Entertainment, Disney Theatrical Group, Cirque du Soleil, Nederlander Organization, and Broadway League-affiliated producers with suppliers such as Barco (company), Philips (company), Shure Incorporated, Sennheiser, and Meyer Sound Laboratories. It operates at the intersection of venues like Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Madison Square Garden, and Sydney Opera House while engaging regulatory actors including Occupational Safety and Health Administration, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and standards bodies such as Underwriters Laboratories, International Electrotechnical Commission, and American National Standards Institute.
History
Founded amid consolidation in the wake of Ticketmaster-era venue expansion and Rock in Rio-scale touring in the early 21st century, the association emerged alongside entities like PLASA, Theatrical Management Association, Association of British Theatre Technicians, and USITT. Early activity paralleled technical innovations showcased at AES Convention, NAB Show, and ISE while coordinating responses to incidents referenced by Hurricane Katrina, September 11 attacks, and safety investigations by National Transportation Safety Board. Its development involved partnerships with manufacturers such as Martin Professional, Clay Paky, and ETC (company) and with production houses like Live Nation UK, AEG Presents, and C3 Presents.
Mission and Activities
The association advances workplace safety and technical interoperability across venues exemplified by Wembley Stadium, O2 Arena, Staples Center, and Lincoln Center by collaborating with unions including Actors' Equity Association, IATSE, and Musicians' Union and with licensors such as Disney Theatrical Group and Universal Music Group. It publishes guidance used by venue operators like Swarovski Kristallwelten and festival organizers including Glastonbury Festival and Coachella to align with compliance frameworks from OSHA, NIOSH, and EPA. Activities encompass technical committees akin to those in IEEE, NFPA, and ISO, with working groups that include members from Sennheiser, Yamaha Corporation, and Sound Devices.
Standards and Certification
The association develops consensus standards modeled after ANSI and IEC processes and interoperates with AVIXA, PLASA Standards and Dante (audio networking)-related specifications alongside MADI and AES67. Certification programs reflect curricula comparable to CompTIA, Certified Technology Specialist schemes and recognized training from Routledge-published manuals used by Royal Opera House technicians and touring crews from U2 (band) and Taylor Swift. Test labs partnering with Underwriters Laboratories and TÜV SÜD evaluate equipment from Avolites, Chroma-Q, and GrandMA for compliance with safety regimes influenced by NFPA 70 and NEC (National Electrical Code).
Industry Events and Training
The association organizes conferences and workshops paralleling NAMM Show, LDI (Live Design International), AES Convention, and Prolight + Sound and runs certification sessions in collaboration with institutions such as Curtain Call, RADA, and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Educational outreach targets technicians who work on productions by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and companies like The Shubert Organization and includes scenario-based drills similar to exercises by FEMA and emergency planners from Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. Speaker rosters have included experts from MIT Media Lab, Stanford University, and Carnegie Mellon University.
Membership and Governance
Membership comprises venue operators like AEG, SMG (company), and Ambassador Theatre Group, manufacturers including Harman International, Kramer Electronics, and Denon, and production services firms such as PRG (Production Resource Group), TAIT Towers, and Stageco. Governance follows a board model with directors drawn from corporations like Live Nation, Cirque du Soleil, and Meyer Sound Laboratories and advisory councils reflecting stakeholders from IATSE, BECTU, and Equity. Financial oversight mirrors nonprofit practices used by The Recording Academy and Tony Awards-affiliated entities.
Advocacy and Partnerships
The association lobbies on technical and safety matters alongside coalitions with National Electrical Manufacturers Association, European AV Alliance, and Global Entertainment & Media Alliance while engaging policy forums convened by Federal Communications Commission, European Commission, and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It partners with research bodies such as Fraunhofer Society, TNO, and Smithsonian Institution to support innovation in areas exemplified by projects involving Dolby Laboratories, Harman International, and Adobe Systems. Collaborative initiatives address issues raised in high-profile incidents investigated by National Transportation Safety Board and safety recommendations influenced by International Labour Organization.