With over 23,000 trade visitors from 108 countries, 491 exhibitors and more than 580 program items, Prolight + Sound 2025 showed how innovative, international and future-oriented the event industry is. For its 30th anniversary, the Frankfurt exhibition center once again became an international stage for lighting, sound, stage and media technology, reflecting the transformation of the industry in all its facets: smarter, more immersive and more sustainable than ever.
Technology meets transformation
For four days, manufacturers, service providers and industry experts presented a wide range of solutions – from intelligent lighting systems and automated camera technology to modular audio and control solutions. Demand for practical and sustainable products was high, particularly in the areas of lighting and sound technology. Over half of the trade visitors had significant decision-making or purchasing authority. The proportion of international guests was 36 percent.
The international appeal of Prolight + Sound 2025 was particularly evident in the origin of the trade visitors: a large proportion came from Europe – including France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, which were among the strongest European visitor countries. There were also numerous guests from Eastern European countries such as Poland, Ukraine, the Czech Republic and Romania. In addition, the event recorded strong participation from Asia – for example from China, Japan, India and South Korea – where demand for event technology and AV solutions for high-growth markets remains high. Visitors from Australia and New Zealand also used the trade fair as a platform for international networking.
Another focus was on the Middle East, with trade visitors from Saudi Arabia, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey, among others, showing a keen interest in modern event solutions, immersive technology and smart system integration. Numerous professionals also traveled from Latin America – particularly from Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Colombia – seeking new impetus for their national markets.
Three topics that will shape the future
The focus was on three main topics, which were explored in more detail in their own exhibition and experience areas:
- ProGreen focused on sustainable concepts for the event industry. Energy-efficient technologies, resource-saving materials and new ways of reducing CO₂ were presented in a practical way.
- FutureScapes focused on immersive experiences and the use of artificial intelligence. From AI-supported visualizations to interactive stage sets, it showed how digital tools open up new creative possibilities.
- MultiTech presented smart, flexible solutions for a wide range of event formats – including modular lighting and audio solutions, automated tracking and control systems, and multifunctional media stations.
“Prolight + Sound 2025 was an impressive demonstration of the industry’s innovative strength, with over 580 event program items over four days. Whether it was sustainable events, AI-supported technologies or flexible technical solutions, exhibitors showed how the event and entertainment industry is responding to the current challenging economic situation. Germany is one of the industry’s most important markets and, as a central trade fair location with an excellent infrastructure, Frankfurt offers ideal conditions for the global exchange of ideas within the industry.”
Wolfgang Marzin, Chairman of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt
Sharing knowledge – Shaping the future
Once again, the fair offered a comprehensive training program. More than 200 speakers shared their expertise on stages, in forums and in three specially designed colleges:
- The ProAudio College was realized in collaboration with the VDT – Verband Deutscher Tonmeister,
- the Theatre College together with the VPLT – Association for Media and Event Technology,
- as well as the Camera College in cooperation with the BVFK – Federal Association of Television Cameramen.
The new Knowledge Forum platform added practical sessions on technology trends, market analysis and management topics to the programme. The Green Sessions of the EVVC – European Association of Event Centres – provided important impetus for sustainable event design.
For the first time, a separate area was specifically aimed at professionals from the theater world – with the new Theater Talk format, as well as additional panels, product demonstrations and networking opportunities.
Interaction, exchange, experience
With formats such as MusicOneX, the MIXCON x BVD DJ- & Producer Conference and the practical MixLab. The event particularly addressed professionals from the music business – including producers, DJs, composers, A&R managers, engineers, and music managers.
Three exclusive evening events under the title PLS Community Nights additionally promoted personal exchange between exhibitors, trade visitors, associations and the media. The highlight was the anniversary celebration “30 Years of PLS” at the Frankfurt venue Depot 1899, which featured a live performance by Wolfgang Flür, founding member of Kraftwerk, as well as the final of the German DMC Championships.
Honored projects – new award formats
Spectacularly staged: ‘The Ring Cycle’. Photo: flora&faunavisions
The renowned industry prizes were also presented in a new form and with strong winners at the anniversary edition. The Opus – German Stage Prize was further developed into the Opus – International Stage Award and opened to international submissions. New categories such as Event Lighting, Immersive Sound and Camera & Image expanded the spectrum – and showcased the full range of innovative live productions.
In the main category, the Berlin-based creative agency flora&faunavisions was honored for its visionary opera production “The Ring Cycle” – an immersive interpretation of Wagner’s “Ring of the Nibelung,” implemented in cooperation with Opera Australia. The production impressed with AI-supported content, motion tracking, interactive costumes and a 3D-scanned stage set.
The Opus Immersive Sound Award went to British artist Christo Squier for his installation “Visitor”, which translates cosmic muons into light and sound in real time, creating a unique sound experience.
The Opus Event Lighting Award was given to the lighting design of the “Heaven & Dirt” show, whose visual concept set new standards in the field of creative lighting design.
The Opus Camera & Image category honored the Bundesliga broadcasts by Sportcast, which established new standards in live sports production with innovative camera work and high-quality imagery.
The Sinus – Systems Integration Award also presented itself with a new concept in 2025: in addition to a jury decision, an audience vote was integrated for the first time. The prize went to the Open Ground Club in Wuppertal, which impressed with its holistic AV concept – including a Funktion-One sound system, sustainable building technology, AI-supported control and a flexible lighting and media system. In addition, the newly introduced special “Sinus AVantgarde for Innovations” prize was awarded to recognize particularly forward-looking projects in AV integration.
The festive awards ceremony took place on April 10, 2025 at the Steigenberger Icon Frankfurter Hof and was one of the highlights of the trade fair week.
Preview of 2026
After the successful anniversary, the sector is looking forward to the next edition of the trade fair. Prolight + Sound 2026 will take place from March 24 to 27, 2026 at Messe Frankfurt – once again as a global meeting place for technology, creativity and innovation in the event sector.
