Ned Collett (Photo by Candice Ward)
Event equipment and support services provider SGPS/ShowRig has announced the appointment of concert and venue industry veteran Ned Collett to the position of president, along with the opening of a new European office and a new Cybermotion hoist system.
“It’s become my personal mission to carry on the legacy,” says Collett, who joined SGPS/ShowRig in a consultancy role in October following the passing of founder Eric Pearce. Collett, whose industry career dates back to 1980 and who has spent time most recently at Live Nation and Oak View Group, has called Pearce a friend and colleague since the ‘80s and felt compelled to help continue the legacy built over the last 49 years under Pearce.
“You know when it just feels right,” said Collett, who was internally named president in June. “My mission is to carry on what is — not was — ShowRig.”
Collett said the loss of Pearce, who he called a visionary pioneer in the industry, was a shock to the company and industry, so his role was initially to help the family and company through the grieving process and stay focused on the already successful operations as a leader in rigging, staging and automation.
“I’ve worked for some of the greatest people in the entertainment business, pioneers in sports and entertainment, but I walked in the door and knew this is where I belonged,” Collett said. “I started in 1980, and the first box I ever opened up to rig out of had the ‘Showlites’ logo on it. You know when you belong somewhere.”
Collett will be based at the company’s Las Vegas headquarters and oversee and direct all activities for the company’s worldwide operations, including a newly opened office in The Netherlands. The company’s first European office, located in Utrecht, will provide rentals of trusses, lifts, scaffolding, motors, and automation for concert tours, film and television production, trade shows, and permanent installations.
SGPS/ShowRig also will more than double the size of its Nashville office, which focuses on concert tour support and events. SGPS/ShowRig has also released a new product line, Cybermotion, which it says is an intuitive and advanced computer-controlled hoist system that ensures safe, seamless, and spectacular effects.
Cybermotion technology has been or will be utilized by Travis Scott, Dave Matthews Band, Marshmello, and more, according to the announcement, available for clients beginning November 2023.
Trans Siberian Orchestra, a client of SGPS / ShowRig (Bob Carey)
Going forward, Collett says the company will continue to grow and honor Pearce’s contribution to the industry.
“The industry suffered and still suffers losing Eric and his creativity,” said Collett. “But for a company that’s been going successfully for almost 50 years successfully, the road map is clear. We are a service company, so it’s about continuing the tenants of what Showlites and ShowRig are built on. ShowRig is here, it’s going to continue and grow, while focused on service and equipment, being part of the process, and providing ways to allow producers and artists to fulfill their creative dreams in a fashion that is the best financial model for them as well.”
