Liverpool-based rental and technical solutions provider Adlib is expanding its new training facilities to offer yet more opportunities for manufacturers, distributors, suppliers - and anyone interesting in industry related training - needing a purpose-designed space and a well-connected location to stage seminars, workshops and hands-on demonstrations.
Regular training events taking place throughout the year, on average one every two to three weeks, have been such a success that Adlib intends to step this up in 2013.
Those already taking advantage include premium brands L-Acoustics, Coda Audio, Sound Technology, Shure, Digico, Martin Professional, Avolites, grandMA & Chauvet.
ADLIB officially inaugurated its new 50,000sq.ft warehouse facility at the start of 2012, complete with a purpose built area dedicated to training.
It has been the long term brain-child of Adlib MD Andy Dockerty to be able to offer excellent well designed facilities and the right type of training for the benefit of companies and established industry professionals, as well as those at the start of their careers.
Dockerty has always had a real passion and commitment for industry 'education', coupled with strong ideas and opinions as to how this can best be achieved.
Adlib's training space features a fully flexible classroom and a large warehouse space which is draped and carpeted, complete with a special trussing system to enable the flying of any PA system.
This provides the opportunity to listen to any system in a "real world" scenario and equally importantly, enables flying and rigging training to be undertaken.
The demo room facility offers a selection of popular consoles including Yamaha, DigiDesign, Soundcraft, etc.
There is a separate area for refreshments, and the whole facility is accessed straight from the main reception - without intruding on the day-to-day running of Adlib's busy warehouse and office schedules.
The classroom area can be configured to accommodate up to 80 people in one seminar style session or in a number of smaller 12 to 20 person workshop formats.
In addition to the training, the space has also been used for product launches, with L- Acoustics choosing to present their WIFO (wide-focus) speaker products first at Adlib to a selection of dealers, distributors and key clients.
Stuart Down, UK sales manager for L-Acoustics says, "Adlib's investment in the new training and demo facility has allowed L-Acoustics to host additional UK based events over the past year. It is an excellent environment in which to showcase our product range, and due to its flexibility and the permanent rigging structure, we have also worked with Adlib in providing UK based open training seminars on 'K standard' systems."
Dockerty states "It's been a personal ambition to have in-house training facilities to the highest standards."
Moving into the new warehouse - they purchased the entire neighbouring unit in April 2011 and spent 12 months customising it - enabling the project to come to fruition.
Sound Technology recently staged a two day 'Back To Basics' product and training session, which conveyed some essential audio fundamentals often taken for granted to a range of attendees - sound operators, venue staff, and installers.
Sound Technology MD David Marshall comments, "Having such a fantastic facility at our disposal meant we could run a whole series of product training and demonstration seminars throughout both days. Given the demands on professional audio equipment, it is vital that suppliers, customers and clients have the opportunity to discuss requirements and solutions in the right environment! We look forward to working with Adlib again on future events."
Paul Ward from Anderson Ward Consulting - speaking on behalf of CODA Audio - says, "Adlib has always supported the idea that education is a key to the future of our industry. Their continued commitment and dedicated in-house training facility is real testament to this."
Upcoming events will include collaborations with Lab.gruppen, Sennheiser and Shure and Adlib's lighting division is currently in discussions with Avolites and others.
