Following the cancellation of the 25th anniversary edition, Prolight + Sound and the sector are now looking ahead to 2021, a key year for the events sector. Prolight + Sound would like to contribute to stimulate the buying power in this badly hit sector and restore it to its former strength. Large parts of the formats originally planned for 2020 will be implemented in an updated form in 2021. A particular focus is on bringing companies together with top decision-makers.
“Hardly any other sector is currently suffering so much from the restrictions”, says Mira Wölfel, Director Prolight + Sound. “This is precisely what makes Prolight + Sound 2021 more important than ever. After a long dry spell, the desire for events and entertainment will be greater than ever before. We would like to take advantage of this momentum, spread a spirit of optimism and send positive signals to the industry. Together with our partners and exhibitors, we are tackling the situation to set the course for a successful new start for the industry.”
With a new trade fair concept everything is ready for implementation
Prolight + Sound 2021 builds on the trade fair concept of the planned anniversary event, which has met with a positive response in the sector. This paves the way for bringing the plans to life together with partners and exhibitors. At the same time, the concept provides for sufficient flexibility to implement any hygiene requirements that may exist at the time of the event.
The trade fair positions itself as a strong, independent industry platform that covers all facets of the entertainment technology industry. It takes place entirely on the western part of the exhibition grounds, thus allowing short distances for exhibitors and visitors. The event focuses on a broad and at the same time clearly defined product range. It is divided into the ProAudio, ProLight, ProStage, ProMedia and ProEvent sections. The event offers individual program offerings and presentation areas for the various subject areas.
Hosted Buyer program to increase the number of visitors
One goal for 2021 is to further increase the quality of visitors. Messe Frankfurt intends to attract new top international buyers to the event with a Hosted Buyer Programme: These are selected in cooperation with major exhibitors and receive free flights and hotel accommodation.
Decision-makers with high budget responsibilities also have access to the Tulip Club, the VIP lounge at Prolight + Sound. In addition, there are guided tours for international visitors in various product areas.
And there is even more on top: exhibitors can invite their key customers and business partners to the event free of charge. The promise to the sector: to put companies in touch with all important decision-makers and to accelerate the way out of the crisis by establishing new, high-quality business relationships!
With programme highlights closer to the fair events
A successful new start in the industry requires know-how, networking and fresh impulses. The focus of the further-education programme at Prolight + Sound 2021 is on direct contact between manufacturers and users and on communicating technical and economic trends.
For example, there are three fully equipped, theme-specific lecture stages directly in the halls. Also exhibitors can take part in the programme: Audio + Event Stage (Hall 8.0), Media + Future Stage (Hall 11.0) and Theatre + Light Stage (Hall 12.0). Experts from the companies will present new technologies and applications – as well as best practices for business development after Corona. There will also be presentations by world-famous keynote speakers and representatives of institutions and educational establishments.
Seminar series with a view to the future of the industry
The seminar series already established in the past are also on board. More important than ever, the Prolight + Sound Conference, organised by the VPLT (Association for Media and Event Technology), appears to be a hub of information for the sector, shedding light on the status quo in the industry and providing an outlook for the future. In 2021, the International Event Safety Conference (I-ESC) will also focus on the special tasks facing the event sector. In addition, the Manufacturers’ Forum will enter a new round where companies will present their technical solutions for the events of tomorrow. The series of seminars will take place in the conference rooms of Hall 11.0.
Prolight + Sound aims to create a lively trade-fair experience even in challenging times and offers numerous special promotions and special events. Under the name of ProDJ SMF, an exciting experience zone with interactive fields of activity relating to music production and live performance is being created in cooperation with the Sample Music Festival. The Vintage Concert Audio Show in Hall 8.0 presents milestones from four decades of concert sound reinforcement and brings the live sound of the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s to life in a worldwide exclusive special exhibition. In addition, visitors can immerse themselves in immersive sound worlds in several audio demo rooms.
Full commitment to young talents in the industry
The joy of the events will return – and with it the demand for well-trained personnel and fresh ideas. With this in mind, Prolight + Sound is inviting vocational pupils, students and trainees to take part in the Future Talent Day on the Tuesday of the fair (13 April 2021). Here, newcomers to the sector can look forward to a special programme of lectures on career scenarios in the event sector.
One year later, the new Future Hub will also celebrate its premiere at Prolight + Sound. It bundles together offerings that are of particular importance for young companies and professionals. Part of the special show area is a Start-up Area, where innovative newcomers to the market can present themselves at particularly favourable conditions.
Colleges, universities and academies present their courses of study with a focus on events on campus. The Future Hub also includes the Career Center: In cooperation with the VPLT, an optimal contact area is created here between companies with vacancies and specialists seeking new challenges. The Future Hub is built entirely from resource-conserving materials and is powered by green electricity – it is thus fully in line with the “green event” trend.
With all these formats and flexible presentation options, Prolight + Sound is the ideal meeting place for the big reunion of the event sector. Exhibitor registration is now open. Further information and participation form at www.prolight-sound.com