Three decades of event technology: Prolight + Sound celebrates its 30th anniversary and invites you to a special anniversary edition in Frankfurt from 8 to 11 April 2025. As the international trade fair for event and entertainment technologies, the event will not only impress with new topics and expanded formats, but also with a strong focus on innovations, networking and knowledge transfer.
Industry get-together with renowned exhibitors
The long-standing connection between Prolight + Sound and the industry is reflected in the impressive list of exhibitors for 2025. Numerous leading brands such as Adam Hall, Adamson, ADJ, ALFA-SYSTEM, Area Four, ARTTHEA, ASM, Astera, Aura Audio, AV Stumpfl, Ayrton Lighting, BÜTEC, Cast, Chainmaster, Chauvet, Clay Pak y, ComputerWorks, Das Audio, Elation, Electronic Theatre Controls, Eurotruss, FACE Bvba, GLP, Harmonic Design, Highlite, Igus, International, InEar, inoage, JB-Lighting, Kling & Freitag, KV2, L-Acoustics, Lawo, Lightpower, LMP, MA Lighting, Major, Milan, Mipro, MOVE KET, Music & Lights, Music & Sales, Novastar, Pixelhue, Portman, Riedel, ROBE, Robert Juliat, Roxx, SBS, Serapid, SICA, Sixty82, SRV, Steinigke, TAIT, TMB, Tronios, VisionTwo, Waagner-Biro and Zactrack have confirmed their attendance.
In addition, well-known companies, such as ACME, AED Rent, BSL, Chr. Mayr GmbH & Co. KG, Dataton, Focon, Magic Sky, TW Audio and Wharfdale Audio have announced their return. With such a high level of commitment from the sector, the fair is sending out a clear signal about its role as an innovation platform.
Prolight + Sound’s 30th anniversary is an occasion for us to look to the future with renewed vigour. We want to create an inspiring environment that promotes innovation and strengthens the exchange within the industry. I would like to express my particular thanks to our new trade fair advisory board, which is supporting us in further developing the show.
Mira Wölfel, Director of Prolight + Sound
Key topics: sustainability, innovation and smart technologies
Three major topics will characterise the anniversary edition:
- ProGreen: the fair highlights trends and technologies that promote a more sustainable event industry, including energy-efficient systems and green event concepts.
- FutureScapes: Immersive technologies and artificial intelligence create new worlds of experience, which are the focus of this category.
- MultiTech: Flexible and intelligent technologies enable a wide range of applications and shape the future of the event industry.
Theatre and stage technology in a new concept
Rediscover ProStage: our view of the future of stage technology.
Theatre and stage technology has long been one of the central and most dynamic areas of Prolight + Sound. In the new concept, all aspects of this subject area will be bundled at a central location to offer the theatre community maximum visibility and synergies. In addition to the exhibition area in Hall 12.0, a separate area is being created that is specially tailored to the needs of this sector. In addition to a networking area and a café with a daily happy hour, the new Theatre Stage will be the centrepiece. The innovative Theatre Talk will take place there on several days – a format that gives exhibitors from other sectors the opportunity to present their companies and products to a targeted theatre audience.
Another highlight is the programme of the newly designed Theatre College, which has been developed in collaboration with the German Association for Media and Event Technology (VPLT). The programme is rounded off by the Guided Tour Theatre & Light, curated and moderated by experts. This free tour will take participants to particularly innovative and exciting technologies and product innovations in the theatre and lighting sector on all days of the fair.
ProAudio area: brilliant sound and practical formats
In the Live Sound Arena, sound systems are demonstrated under realistic conditions. | Photo: Mathias Kutt
The ProAudio area in Hall 11.0 will be presented in 2025 with exciting new formats. One highlight is the MixLab, which, with its two main topics – live mixing consoles and FOH technology, and studio consoles, mixing and mastering – appeals to both live technology enthusiasts and studio professionals. The focus here is on practical workshops, knowledge transfer and networking between manufacturers, engineers and trade visitors.
Another new feature is the MusicOneX area, an evolution of the Performance + Production Hub, which is being created in cooperation with the Sample Music Festival (SMF). This interactive and interdisciplinary special area combines music, conference and exhibition and focuses on a practice-oriented open innovation approach. Visitors can try out hands-on technology, take part in workshops, experience live events, attend Q&A sessions with experts, and discover showcases and content creation in an area of over 3,000 m². The focus is on linking creativity and technology and promoting exchange between industry, communities and companies.
The open-air Live Sound Arena once again offers the opportunity to experience powerful PA systems in realistic conditions. In addition, the company InEar will be presenting its innovative solutions for integrated sound technology at the Silent Stage.
The ProAudio College, developed in collaboration with the German sound engineers’ association VDT, offers international workshops and seminars at the highest level. Both experienced audio professionals and young talents in the industry can deepen their knowledge of live and studio audio and gain new inspiration for their work.
Lighting technology: sustainable and innovative
LightLab at Prolight + Sound 2024
In 2025, Prolight + Sound trade visitors can once again expect to see the world’s largest range of lighting technology in the event industry, presented in Hall 12.1. Numerous leading manufacturers, including the most important players in the industry, will be presenting their latest products and innovations. The focus is on sustainable and energy-efficient solutions and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into modern lighting technologies.
The LightLab, developed in cooperation with the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW), will enter its next round in 2025. Here, experts will share their in-depth knowledge and demonstrate current developments in the field of lighting technology.
Another attraction is the Women in Lighting Lounge, which serves as a central meeting place for female professionals and newcomers. It offers space for interviews with inspiring personalities, insights into career paths and networking opportunities in a dynamic environment.
Shaping the future: sustainability and promoting young talent
With the ProGreen focus, Prolight + Sound 2025 will be shining a spotlight on the ecological responsibility of the event industry. In the anniversary year, sustainability, energy efficiency and green events will be the focus of numerous high-profile formats, including a series of inspiring keynotes on the Main Stage (Hall 11.0). The Green Sessions, organised by the European Association of Event Centres (EVVC), offer practical ideas and solutions for a more environmentally friendly event industry. The programme is complemented by the Guided Tour Sustainability/Green Events, where expertly moderated tours guide participants to particularly sustainable product innovations.
Promoting young talent in the Future Hub
Another of Prolight + Sound’s main focuses is on promoting young talent. The Future Hub in Hall 11.0 will once again be the centre for promoting young talent and recruiting. Renowned educational institutions will be providing information about career paths and further training opportunities in the event sector. At the Career Center, visitors have the opportunity to talk directly to companies looking for skilled employees. The Start-up Area offers new brands a platform, while the Networking Lounge provides space for exchange and relaxation.
On Future Talents Day (Friday, 11 April 2025), young professionals can explore the wide range of career opportunities in the event industry and network in a targeted manner.
Expertise for the industry
The Prolight + Sound Conference, organised in close cooperation with the Professional Lighting & Sound Association Germany (VPLT), offers a comprehensive programme of lectures and workshops on all days of the fair. The content is tailored to the needs of the industry and brings together professionals and newcomers to shape the future of the event industry.
Focus on education and industry development
In its anniversary year, the Prolight + Sound professional programme will be further expanded and refined. The curated lecture programme will concentrate more on specialist topics with a clear technical focus. The Prolight + Sound Colleges – including the ProAudio College, Camera College and Theatre College – offer first-class bilingual seminars and workshops on a wide range of current industry topics. For the first time, both established professionals and emerging talents from the event and entertainment industry will have the opportunity to present lectures on their own areas of expertise.
The programme is complemented by exclusive VIP offers such as the Messe Frankfurt Business Club and the Hosted Buyer Programme. These formats are aimed specifically at planners and decision-makers from the theatre, stage, theme park and rental sectors, and create an optimal environment for targeted business meetings and networking.
Anniversary celebrations and networking
To mark its 30th anniversary, Prolight + Sound is hosting a series of Community Nights at exclusive locations in Frankfurt. The highlight will be the big ‘30 Years of PLS’ birthday party at Depot 1899 on the Wednesday of the fair, 9 April 2025.
Further details and up-to-date information can be found at www.prolight-sound.com.
Featured image: Hotspot for technology innovations and new impulses: Prolight + Sound / Photo: Robin Kirchner
