This year’s Prolight + Sound is just around the corner and promises to once again transform the Frankfurt exhibition halls into a centre of innovation and inspiration for the event industry. With hundreds of brands and exhibitors presenting their latest products and technologies, exciting trends are already emerging for the coming year. Considered a must-visit for all industry professionals and enthusiasts, Prolight + Sound offers a unique opportunity to learn about the latest developments and gain exciting behind-the-scenes insights. In an advance interview with Parkerlebnis.de, Mira Wölfel, Director of Prolight + Sound, talks about the role this year’s fair will play for theme parks – from immersive experiences and specialised theatre solutions to innovative lighting and sound technologies. We also take a look at the current challenges that companies might discover a solution for at the trade fair and get valuable tips on how (first-time) visitors can get the most out of their visit.
Messe Frankfurt will open its doors for Prolight + Sound in just a few days
Over 500 brands and exhibitors will be on site. Do you already have an overview of the trends that are emerging this year and tips on what those responsible in the theme park industry should not miss?
Mira Wölfel, Director Prolight + Sound
Mira Wölfel: Nowadays, there is virtually no amusement park without a theatre. ProStage is therefore an essential area for the industry at Prolight + Sound. This is where key players in stage machinery, control, automation and stage equipment present their products – as well as companies in the lighting and sound segment that offer specialised theatre solutions.
Those responsible in the theme park industry should definitely also take a look at the product innovations in the ProLight and ProAudio areas. Further details can be found in the new Prolight + Sound article on parkerlebnis.de. A special tip here, for example, is the Lightpower Village in Hall 12, where current and new lighting technology products from a number of well-known brands will be presented in a compact area.
The light and laser shows presented by some of our exhibitors, including Robe, KVANT, Highlite and Starway, are definitely also exciting for the theme park industry. There will be plenty of inspiration for indoor shows and attractions in theme parks in particular.
Many trends in event technology currently revolve around the creation of immersive experiences – from lighting and sound solutions to haptic high-tech motion seats and 4D functions (e.g. scent and wind). This development is particularly interesting for the amusement park industry – for dark rides, for example. These are virtually predestined for the integration and interaction of immersive components. Park visitors can thus be offered a fascinating overall experience that appeals to all the senses. Decision-makers should therefore not miss the Immersive Audio Dome in Hall 11, where an innovative audio system from Adamson creates a unique world of sound within the 100 m² igloo-shaped dome. Complemented by futuristic visuals on full-surface projection walls, an immersive overall experience is created. The fascinating inflatable designs and figures by Disco Designer in the Performance + Production Hub are also a real eye-catcher and a tip for those responsible in the theme park industry. The interactive installation Marble Maze can also be found there and is very interesting for theme parks. The fast-paced game is played together on a large video wall with mounted game controllers. Digital content is combined with analogue technology in a unique way and invites visitors to experiment.
Prolight + Sound offers a wide range of products and solutions that are ideally suited to the theme park sector. A visit is therefore definitely worthwhile!
What challenges do the exhibiting companies at Prolight + Sound offer solutions and expertise for?
In other words, what questions from operators and developers in the attractions industry could a visit to the trade fair provide answers and inspiration for?
Mira Wölfel: In addition to the attractions and products mentioned above, Prolight + Sound also offers an extensive bilingual education programme. The ProAudio College seminars will cover topics such as room acoustics, methods for transmitting synchronised A/V media data, sound check guides and frequency management – topics that are also relevant for operators and technicians in theme parks. The VPLT College offers important information and tips on key event technology topics. In the LightLab, experts will present background information and demos on blue light hazards, risk groups and limit values – an important topic for all operators and organisers who work with lighting installations.
The conferences at Prolight + Sound also provide a wide range of expert knowledge. The PLS Conference on all four days of the trade fair will focus on key topics in the event industry, including education and training, standardisation and the innovative use of event technology. This year, the immense potential of AI technologies in the event industry will be discussed, among other things. The Manufacturers’ Forum will also provide inspiration. Here, companies will present innovative products and best practices in presentations and live demos.
Safety is the focus of the I-ESC (International Event Safety + Security Conference). Current topics such as trends in safety standards, weather events and climate change, rigging & artistry or the increasing threat of cyber attacks are discussed here in presentations and discussions with the speakers.
On the Main Stage in Hall 11.0, renowned speakers will address other topics that are currently moving the event industry – from visual designs and innovative audio systems to success factors for events. In addition to the education programme, company experts will be on hand at many exhibitor stands to answer questions about their products. The Career Centre in the Future Hub is also very interesting for the leisure park industry. Here, companies with vacancies have the opportunity to present themselves and make direct contact with up-and-coming talent and experienced professionals looking for a new professional challenge. In the past, a large number of specialists have already been placed with amusement parks, event companies, agencies and sales organisations.
At the upcoming show, Europa-Park, Robinson Club, Sinus-Eventtechnik, Aventem, L-Acoustics and Riedel Communications, among others, will take the opportunity to recruit new professionals.
What insider tips do you have for first-time visitors to Prolight + Sound 2024 to get the most out of their visit?
Mira Wölfel: Our Prolight + Sound app is very helpful – especially for first-time visitors. It can be downloaded free of charge from the Apple App and Google Play Store. The app provides an optimal overview of the area with a hall and site plan. It also contains an exhibitor and product search function and provides news on the highlights of the event.
Another tip is our Guided Tours. The professionally moderated tours give participants a compact overview of the trade fair in one hour. Company specialists and managers present new products, innovations and technologies that are particularly interesting from a planning and technical perspective. During the Green Tours, company experts will provide information on new products, innovations and technologies that are particularly sustainable. The topic of sustainability – which is certainly also of great interest to the theme park industry – will also be comprehensively examined in the “Green Sessions” in cooperation with the EVVC (European Association of Event Centres) in a series of presentations and panels.
Another tip is our new PLS Community Nights. On three evenings, we invite Prolight + Sound participants to exclusive locations in the centre of Frankfurt – including ‘Champions Frankfurt’, Frieda’s Bar & Kitchen (Omniturm) and the NEUE KAISER. An ideal opportunity to make new industry contacts over drinks and music and to toast the future of the event and leisure park industry together!
