Seatrade Cruise Connection

June 2006

Entertainment Technology Pavilion Showcased Shipboard Showbiz

The very latest in entertainment technology — including some never seen before — was featured in the Entertainment Technology Pavilion. For the second consecutive year, the event showcased all forms of cruise ship entertainment systems.

Cruise ship entertainment venues have grown increasingly elaborate and sophisticated in recent years, requiring custom-tailored lighting and sound systems designed specifically to meet the rigorous requirements of the shipboard environment. All facets of this growing segment were represented at the expanded pavilion: lighting equipment, sound systems, communications equipment, special effects like lasers and pyrotechnics, presentation systems, scenic supplies and stage equipment.

“Whether it’s a full-scale Las Vegas–style revue or an intimate jazz combo, both the quality of the entertainment and the quality of the technology on cruise ships rivals any landside venue,” said Michael Kazakoff, vice president of CMP Princeton. “Delegates to Cruise Shipping Miami could experience all of the elements brought together in real stage acts every two hours during the exhibition.”

Harbour Marine Systems, one of the oldest companies in the business of creating shipboard entertainment systems, assembled an array of the industry’s leading suppliers to generate buzz around the ET Pavilion. HMS created a state-of-the-art stage and Sixth Star Entertainment supplied the talent for a series of 15-minute shows designed to demonstrate the full range of audio, lighting and technical capabilities of a shipboard entertainment venue. The shows, which drew crowds of delegates, visitors and exhibitors, featured vocalists, magicians, musicians and an intriguing act called The Human Slinky.

In addition to Sixth Star, HMS partners participating in the ET Pavilion included AKG, AMX, Autopatch, BOSCH, Christie, Clair Brothers, CROWN, dbx, ETC, GALA, High End Systems, JBL, Medialon, Pink Ink, Soundcraft, Thomas and Sharp.