Messe Frankfurt is currently developing a concept that will offer exhibitors at Prolight + Sound, the trade fair for event and entertainment technology, a new home within Light + Building, the world’s leading trade fair for lighting and building technology. The aim is to make an offer to those who can benefit from participating in Light + Building. This is Messe Frankfurt’s response to the current challenges facing Prolight + Sound, which have arisen from the number of registrations following the end of the early-booking phase and the different moods within the industry. Against this backdrop, it is not possible to hold the event as a stand-alone event to the satisfaction of all those involved.
Prolight + Sound will no longer be held as an independent event
Prolight + Sound has been held in Frankfurt am Main for over 30 years. However, following the expiry of the early-booking phase at the end of September 2025, the feedback from exhibitors for the event in March 2026 has not been sufficient to ensure that Prolight + Sound can be held satisfactorily. For this reason, Messe Frankfurt has decided to no longer hold the event as a stand-alone event. Instead, a scenario has been developed that envisages making an offer to those exhibitors to participate in the trade fair for whom synergies can be generated by Light + Building. Light + Building will take place from 8 to
13. March 2026, just under two weeks before the originally planned Prolight + Sound (March 24 to 26, 2026).
New synergies for the lighting, digital signage and security industries
The focus is particularly on exhibitors and trade visitors from the lighting segment, digital signage and security technology. New impulses can arise for all of them. In this context, all groups benefit in any case from the high internationality of Light + Building.
Messe Frankfurt acts responsibly in the interests of the industry
Wolfgang Marzin, Chairman and CEO of Messe Frankfurt, explains: With this step, we are reacting pragmatically to the manufacturers’ registrations. As a company, we have to act responsibly in the interests of our exhibitors and visitors. It was important for us to make a decision as early as possible in order to avoid unnecessary investments by customers. The Prolight + Sound brand remains strategically important for Messe Frankfurt’s portfolio. We will continue to invest in it. Just last week, we announced that Prolight + Sound Bangkok will be held in Thailand from 2026.
Separate exhibition area planned within Light + Building
At 63 percent, the topic of lighting technology recorded the highest visitor interest at Prolight + Sound 2025.
By giving the relevant exhibitors at Prolight + Sound the opportunity to present their products in a dedicated area within Light + Building, they can address new customer groups and tap into new business potential. For an optimal presentation of their solutions, there will be a range of high-quality stand package offers. The packages cover different sizes of space.
Curated supporting program creates added value
Messe Frankfurt is also planning a specially curated supporting program and guided tours for visitors. The area will benefit in particular from its central location on the eastern part of the exhibition grounds – in the middle of the extensive lighting area of Light + Building. Further details on the implementation of the new concept will be published in the coming weeks.
Information about Light + Building
Light + Building – the world’s leading trade fair for lighting and building technology.
The Light + Building event will take place in Frankfurt am Main from March 8 to 13, 2026.
www.light-building.com
Messe Frankfurt organizes a series of trade fairs for the lighting and building technology industry in Asia, Argentina, China, the United Arab Emirates and the USA. Further information on the international trade fair brand of Light + Building can be found at www.light-building.com/brand.
