Prolight + Sound has always been a reliable factor in turbulent times. Especially in these times, the leading trade fair for the entertainment technology industry is committed to stabilising the sector. After a predominantly good summer business for the event industry, the after-effects caused by Corona continue to be felt and are now complemented by the massive impact of the energy crisis and the shortage of skilled workers. Despite these serious tasks, giving up is out of the question for the industry. The industry is meeting the continuing challenges with creativity, a spirit of innovation and a lot of positive energy. As the leading trade fair for the entertainment technology industry, Prolight + Sound (25 to 28 April 2023) is going full throttle to stimulate new growth. To this end, the show focuses on optimum product experience, top-class training opportunities – and on proactively bringing companies together with the target groups that are important to them.
Broad spectrum, clear profile
Prolight + Sound presents all the technological innovations that create special visitor experiences and turn an event into a spectacular event: whether on concert stages, in operas and theatres, in clubs or in museums, theme parks and adventure worlds. It also presents solutions for studio and broadcast operations. The aim is to grow again together with the industry in all segments and to steadily expand the show’s portfolio.
Our mission is to create a place where the industry feels at home and where great ideas for the future of the event industry are born. At Prolight + Sound, the industry shows what it is made of: an important branch of industry, a driving force for cultural diversity, an exciting field of activity for creative minds, for visionary forward thinkers.
Mira Wölfel, Director Prolight + Sound
The need for a comprehensive, international trade fair for all areas of event technology is reflected in the popularity of the companies: Numerous key players from a wide range of segments have already declared their participation, including ADJ, Adam Hall, Area Four Industries, Artthea Bühnentechnik, ASM Steuerungstechnik, AV Stumpfl, Ayrton, Bütec, Cast, Chainmaster, Chauvet, Chemtrol Division, Clay Paky, ComputerWorks, DAS Audio, Dataton, Elation, ETC, Eurotruss, Focon, Gala Systems, Gerriets, GLP, Highlite International, HOF, Igus, InEar, JB-Lighting, Kling & Freitag, KS Audio, Kvant, L-Acoustics, Lawo, Lightpower, Link, LMP Lichttechnik, MA Lighting, Meyer Sound, Osram, Riedel, Ritter Maschinen, Robe, SBS Bühnentechnik, SGM, TAIT, TMB and Waagner-Biro.
Development and constancy in good balance
A very positive development can be seen in the theatre and stage technology segment, which has become an important growth pillar of the show in recent years. Visitors can also look forward to the return of numerous Asian manufacturers, especially in the LED segment.
In terms of hall occupancy, the fair relies on constancy. Hall 11 presents products for sound reinforcement, studio, recording and production technology, as well as media and camera technology. Hall 12 provides a home for companies in the lighting and theatre sector as well as projection and display technology, and for event services, equipment and planning. In addition, there is the Portalhaus with innovations in DJing and digital live performance as well as various audio demo rooms. On the open-air site, visitors will experience outdoor solutions for sound reinforcement and LED technology as well as mobile stages in action.
Everything for the perfect mix
One of the mainstays of the fair is the audio segment. Prolight + Sound underlines this with a variety of specialised presentation and programme formats as well as new offers – for example, the ProAudio College, which is being created in cooperation with the Bildungswerk des Verbands Deutscher Tonmeister (BiW-vdt). On all four days of the fair, it will offer top-class workshops and seminars for audio professionals as well as for interested young professionals in the live and studio sector. After attending the seminars, participants will receive a certificate as proof of the knowledge they have gained.
In addition, the audio formats that have been successfully established in the past will be continued and expanded. For example, the Performance + Production Hub is entering a new round: a lavishly designed Experience Zone all about music production and digital live performance, supported by the makers of the Sample Music Festival and top brands of the audio industry. After a successful premiere in 2022, the Studio Village will also be continued: here, companies will showcase their innovations in music production and mastering.
Valuable know-how for professionals and full commitment to young talent
Against the background of turbulent developments, professional qualifications and further training are of immense importance. Next year, Prolight + Sound will be launching an even more extensive education programme.
On all four days, experts will provide impulses on current industry topics on the Main Stage in Hall 11.0. A special focus will be on sustainable solutions, for which the EVVC e.V. (Association of European Event Centres) is organising a special programme. This will show, among other things, how resource-saving event operations can help to reduce costs.
At the Theatre + Light Stage, product experts and renowned lighting, stage and set designers will provide insights into the technology trends of the future. Another established component of the event is the Prolight + Sound Conference: in close cooperation with VPLT e.V. (Verband der Medien- und Veranstaltungstechnik – Association of Media and Event Technology), it offers concentrated expert knowledge from the industry, for the industry, on all days of the fair.
With the Future Hub in Hall 11.0, which has become a tradition in the meantime, the commitment to young people in the sector is given even greater visibility at Prolight + Sound. The area bundles content for the professionals of today and tomorrow. Creative start-ups, companies with vacancies and educational institutions with specialised event courses will present themselves here.
In addition, the Future Talents Day will return to Prolight + Sound in 2023. On Friday, 28 April, the theme day invites trainees, pupils and students as well as all interested young professionals. It offers a range of lectures on career scenarios in the event industry, networking events with exhibiting companies, behind-the-scenes tours and much more.
“It’s a people’s business”
Another central objective of Prolight + Sound is to match supply and demand in a targeted manner and to promote new business relationships. In this context, Messe Frankfurt is stepping up its efforts to establish contacts between companies and top buyers.
For example, Prolight + Sound 2023 offers a hosted-buyer programme: selected decision-makers from the sector receive an exclusive invitation to the show, including travel and hotel.
Another Prolight + Sound offer is Guided Tours of the fair, which give visitors a concentrated insight into the innovations of suppliers from various focal areas. Professionals can take part in guided tours of theatre and stage technology as well as sustainable technologies. In addition, there will be a special tour for young professionals on Future Talents Day.
In addition to business and further training, the industry can and should celebrate itself at Prolight + Sound – together, sonorously and exuberantly. On the evening of the first day of the fair, visitors and exhibitors can look forward to a big get-together with music and drinks.
Attendance at all lectures, workshops and product demos as well as the get-together is free of charge for visitors with a valid ticket.
Further details on Prolight + Sound can be found at www.prolight-sound.com.
Image: Robin Kirchner / Prolight + Sound