Forward-thinking Companies New and Old Sign Up for Industry Celebration
Work is very much in progress on what will be 23rd Annual Parnelli Awards, and the excitement all starts with the forward-thinking live event industry leaders who make the celebration possible. “It’s a busy time for all of us on the Parnelli production team as we build our 23rd show, our seventh with NAMM,” says Terry Lowe, Parnelli Awards Executive Producer and founder of PLSN/FOH magazines. “There is the excitement of building the show around our three lifetime honorees, but there is also the thrill of new and old friends stepping up to be Parnelli Award Sponsors. It’s always humbling to get their much-appreciated support as we could not do it without them.”
Since the 15th Annual Show in late 2015, DiGiCo has been in the top-tier Platinum spot. “The Parnelli Awards shine the limelight on the dedication and talent of those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to bring extraordinary events to life,” notes the DiGiCo team, via email. “We are honored to support these awards that celebrate excellence in the live event industry and acknowledge the unsung heroes who make it all possible.”
For the 2025 event, some new sponsors are joining the party. “The Parnelli Awards are a celebration of excellence in our industry, recognizing the hard work and innovation that drive live event production forward,” says Garrison Krotz, Manager, Global Media Relations of Shure. “For Shure, it’s an honor to be part of such a prestigious event that acknowledges the best in our field. And sponsoring it aligns with our commitment to supporting the live event community — it’s our way of giving back.”
“We are a smaller company, but we have been around for many years supporting the live event industry in our Greater New Orleans area,” says Ray Ziegler of RZI Lighting, winner of the Parnelli Award for Hometown Hero Lighting Company of the Year at the 18th annual ceremony, which coincided with The NAMM Show in January 2019. “We appreciate the exposure we get in PLSN magazine, and the recognition that came when we won a Parnelli Award ourselves. So we are excited to step up and be a sponsor of the Parnelli Awards to further our support for an industry we are so honored to serve.”
“We are delighted to be a first-time sponsor of the Parnelli Awards this year,” says Tim King, Chief Operating Officer of Beat The Street USA. “Whilst Beat The Street is a relative newcomer in the U.S., in 30-plus years of touring across Europe our aim has remained the same—to ensure any band or crew member is as comfortable as possible whilst touring. This allows them to give their best and perform well, whether they are on or off stage. Supporting the Parnelli Awards is a great way for us to recognize key players in the live production industry who operate behind the scenes, but are nevertheless vital to the show.”
“We at 3G are excited to be a sponsor for the Parneli’s this year,” says Keith Conrad, CEO of 3G. “It’s always great to recognize and honor all of the companies and people who stood out during the year, and the Lifetime Achievement winners, who had exemplary careers. Furthermore, it is an opportunity to get together with our friends in the industry and celebrate a successful year making the live event industry great!”
Other sponsors are being added weekly, and those interested should contact Greg Gallardo at [email protected]. As of mid-September, Gold Sponsors include: 4Wall Entertainment, All Access Staging and Production, Bandit Lites, Concert Stuff Group (CSG), d&b audiotechnik, Egotrips, Elation Professional, Gallagher Staging & Productions, Global Trend Productions, Harman Professional/JBL Professional/Martin Professional, ImageSFX, Meyer Sound, Mountain Productions, NAMM, On Tour Logistics, Pyrotek Special Effects, RAT Sound Systems, ROBE Lighting, Rock-It Cargo, ROE Visual, RZI Lighting, Screenworks/NEP, Special Event Services, Shure, Solotech, Sound Image, Spider Ranch Productions, Stageline Mobile Stage, Strictly FX, and Yamaha.
Silver Sponsors include 3G Productions, Beat The Street Band & Crew Bussing, Brown Note Productions, Gateway Studios & Production Services, Hirshbach, MooTV, See Factor, Shockwave Cargo, and Spectrum Sound.
Cocktail Sponsors include Allen & Heath, Chauvet Professional, DAS Audio, Music Matters Productions, and Tyler Truss. Then there are our production partners whose teams and products make the show memorable: Access Event Solutions, Atomic, Elation Professional, Pro Tapes, and TPI.
“We at Pro Tapes are excited to be part of the show this year as a production partner for the first time,” says Jeff Clayton, Marketing Manager. Hinting that some quality of rolls of tape might just be part of some earned swag at the show, he adds: “And we’re pleased we might just make some people happy who go home with more than an award.”
The three Parnelli Awards honoring career achievement are going out to Malcolm Weldon (Lifetime Achievement Award), Roy Bickel (Visionary Award), and Dave Rat (Audio Innovator). Go to ParnelliAwards.com for more information on the gala event, set for Jan. 24, 2025 in Anaheim, CA during the NAMM show, including more details on hotel rooms that will be posted soon. You can also be sure to stay current on all things Parnelli by “friending” the Parnelli Awards site on Facebook.