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NEWS RELEASE
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For Immediate Publication
VARI-LITE INTERNATIONAL COMPLETES SALE OF OPERATIONS
IN BELGIUM, THE NETHERLANDS, FRANCE AND SWEDEN
DALLAS, Texas/Amsterdam (The Netherlands) - October 30, 2000 - Vari-Lite
International, Inc. (Nasdaq: LITE) announced today the completed sale of its
operations in Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Sweden to First Events B.V.,
an investment company that owns Focus Showequipment B.V. in Amsterdam.
"We are pleased to have completed the sale of our continental European
operations, which will allow the company to focus its attention on the
development, manufacture and sale of its VARI*LITE-Registered Trademark-
automated lighting systems and continued operation of rental and production
services operations in North America, Asia and London," said Rusty Brutsche,
chairman and chief executive officer of Vari-Lite. "We look forward to our new
relationship with First Events, including our former offices, as they continue
to rent VARI*LITE automated lighting systems throughout Europe and act as an
authorized dealer of VARI*LITE products in Benelux, France and Sweden."
The purchasers' strategy will build on the reputation of Focus Showequipment
(Amsterdam) and EML (Brussels/Utrecht), which was acquired in the transaction.
Both companies are leading production services companies in the Benelux,
serving various segments of the entertainment industry including theatre,
concerts, broadcast, film and corporate events. Together with operations built
by Vari-Lite in France and Sweden, First Events intends to develop a branded
international network of strong local professional full service organizations,
active in rental and sale of light, sound and projection equipment in Northern
and Western Europe.
ABOUT VARI-LITE INTERNATIONAL
Vari-Lite International is a leading worldwide designer, manufacturer and
distributor of proprietary automated lighting systems. The Company also
provides related equipment and services to the entertainment industry, serving
markets such as concert touring, theater, television and film and corporate
events. The Company sells and rents its VARI*LITE-Registered Trademark-
automated lighting systems through a domestic and international network of
Vari-Lite offices and independent dealers.
Vari-Lite International, Inc. shares are traded on the Nasdaq National Market
under the symbol LITE.
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Vari-Lite International, Inc.
201 Regal Row
Dallas, Texas 75247
phone 214.630.1963
fax 214.630.5867
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The foregoing paragraphs contain certain forward-looking statements made
pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Although the Company believes the expectations contained in
such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that
such expectations will prove to be correct. These expectations may involve
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to
such differences include, but are not limited to, factors detailed in the
Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
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VARI-LITE INTERNATIONAL, INC. FIRST EVENTS B.V.
JERRY L. TROJAN HANS VAN DER WIND
VICE PRESIDENT - FINANCE AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER +31 (0) 20 3116740
214-819-3244
