Event designers and planners leery of complicated CAD or dreary room planning software can take heart. Cast Software says the newest release of Vivien Virtual Event Designer is now easier to use with its streamlined user interface and more intuitive and user-friendly tools. For more information visit www.viviendesign.com, or call Alban at 416-597-2278 or 877-989-2278, extension. 263.

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Musson Theatrical, Inc. has announced the launch of its new web site, www.musson.com. Marking a vast improvement over its old site, Musson's new site features complete detailed information about the company as well as a fully searchable database of most of the products the company sells complete with product images and descriptions.

The company can also be reached at 800-THEATER.

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TOMCAT USA celebrated 14 years of in-depth industry training courses with a successful Hoist and Rigging Workshop in Midland, Texas. This year also marked the second annual Advanced Workshop with 13 participants from around the United States.

Don Dimitroff of Columbus McKinnon coached participants on the sue of Lodestar electric chain hoists. Rocky Paulson, recently retired president of Stage Rigging Inc., stressed safe rigging techniques and Morgan Neff of Mine Safety Appliances gave instruction on proper use of fall protection equipment. Training was rounded out by Keith Bohn's truss class. The TOMCAT Design Manager course covered truss design, use, and theory.

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For nearly 80 years Mehron, Inc. has supplied many of the great theatrical shows and circuses. The company recently announced it has become the official make-up of The Greatest Little Show on Earth, the PAL Sailor Circus.The PAL Sailor Circus, based in Sarasota, Florida has been the training ground for many of the stars in the circus and theatre since 1949.

Mehron performance make-up, made in the United States, has been the choice of many large productions including Blue Man Group, Cirque du Soleil, The Metropolitan Opera, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and The American Ballet Theatre.

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Chuck Rogers has joined Staging Concepts, Inc. as its central sales manager. Mr. Rogers has 20 years of experience in the public assembly industry. He is based in Dallas, Texas and covers the central region of the United States.

Mr. Rogers serves IAAM on a range of committees and as an allied representative on its board of directors. He is a 1998 graduate of the Oglebay Public Assembly Facility Management Program, where he was co-president of his class. For more information, visit Staging Concepts on the Web, or call toll- free at 800-337-5339.

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To ensure proper installation, use, and safety education on its industry-leading lighting products, Strong Entertainment Lighting recently completed the first class in its Authorized Service Center program. Through this program, Strong provides training to local dealers worldwide who will provide end users with expert customer service on the company's line of lighting products.

Strong notes it is the only followspot manufacturer in the United States or Canada offering training comparable to the Authorized Service Center program. Through Strong, local dealers receive formal training through lectures and practical work.

For information regarding the program, dealers can contact Jack Gallagher, product sales manager, at jackg@strong-lighting.com. Additional information can be found at www.strong-lighting.com.

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Following Chitty Chitty Bang Bang's successful three and a half year run at the London Palladium, the production took to the road last December to embark on a three-year National Tour. Currently being staged at the Manchester Palace Theatre, the show is set to move to Birmingham, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Southampton.

The show's automation supplier, Stage Technologies, has been working with Delstar Engineering and Stage Services on this project to make a number of significant changes to the original control system especially for the touring production.

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