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Canford talks new headphones, 50 years of expertise and the shift to IP…
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A long-standing PLASA Show exhibitor, official sponsor Canford returns for 2026 with new technology to discover and five decades of industry expertise behind it. Ahead of the show, we caught up with Marketing Manager, Ben Hardy to talk about the new DMH720-ANC headphones, the growing move towards IP-based workflows, and why face-to-face conversations remain so valuable.
What do you value or enjoy the most about exhibiting at PLASA Show?
PLASA Show has been a highlight in Canford’s trade show calendar for many years now. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with the people who use our products every day, and we value the chance to have meaningful conversations with customers, partners and industry professionals. There is a real community atmosphere at the show, and it gives us the opportunity to showcase the latest innovations from both Canford and our supplier brands, and gain first-hand insight into the challenges and trends shaping the industry. As one of the UK’s leading events for entertainment technology, PLASA Show continues to be an important platform for building relationships and sharing expertise.
How would you describe your company’s purpose, and who do you serve within the industry?
For 50 years, Canford has been helping professionals built reliable, high-performance audio, video and communications systems. Our purpose is simple – to provide the products, expertise and support our customers need to deliver exceptional results. We serve a broad range of industries, including live events, theatres, broadcast, education, studios, government and corporate AV. Alongside supplying over 20,000 products from leading manufacturers, we also design and manufacture our own solutions, giving customers access to trusted advice, bespoke services and innovative products from a single partner.
Will you be bringing anything new to PLASA Show this year? If so, what?
Yes! One of the products we’re particularly excited to showcase is the new Canford DMH720-ANC headphones. Designed for professional users, they combine excellent audio performance with active noise cancellation, making them incredibly versatile and ideal for critical listening in demanding environments. Visitors will be able to experience the headphones first-hand and see how they deliver the comfort, clarity and reliability that you’d expect from Canford products.
What does your current role involve? What do you love most about it?
As Marketing Manager at Canford, I oversee everything from product launches and digital campaigns to exhibitions, social media, video content and customer communications. No two days are the same, which is exactly how I like it to be! Trade shows form arguably the largest part of our annual marketing strategy, so organising them brings a lot of pressure on the marketing team, but it’s incredibly rewarding when all the concept planning and designing comes together to deliver a successful show!
What are the biggest topics of discussion in the industry right now, and what are your thoughts on them?
One of the biggest topics of discussion continues to be the move towards IP-based workflows and how they can deliver greater flexibility, scalability and efficiency across live events and installations. As the UK distributor for Green-GO, we’re seeing a growing demand for network-based comms systems that are simple to deploy, highly reliable and easy to expand as production requirements evolve. Interoperability is also becoming increasingly important, with customers looking for solutions that integrate seamlessly into wider AV and broadcast ecosystems. It’s an exciting time for the industry, with innovation moving incredibly quickly, but success still comes down to choosing dependable tech backed by expert advice and support.
Meet the Canford team at PLASA Show 2026
You can meet the Canford team on stand E15 at PLASA Show from 6–8 September at Olympia London, where visitors can get hands-on with the new DMH720-ANC headphones and discover products and solutions from Canford and its supplier brands.
Register for PLASA Show 2026 and meet Canford on the show floor.
