When the doors of Prolight + Sound Bangkok open at the end of September, the focus will not only be on new products and hands-on technology. The premiere of the trade fair will bring together professionals, companies and industry organisations from across Southeast Asia – creating space for discussion around the issues currently shaping Professional Audio, AV, Lighting and Entertainment.
From 30 September to 2 October 2026, visitors can also look forward to a diverse programme of presentations, panels, workshops and masterclasses. Topics range from Immersive Experiences and Virtual Production to AV over IP and system integration, sound system design, tourism and new business opportunities in the ASEAN market.
We take a look at selected sessions and highlight the topics awaiting trade visitors in Bangkok.
Entertainment in ASEAN: Technology, creativity and business are converging
How is the entertainment and events industry in Southeast Asia developing? This is the question explored by the session “The Future of Entertainment Event in ASEAN: Technology, Creativity & Business” on 30 September.
The session focuses on developments in Live Entertainment, Virtual Production, Streaming and Immersive Experiences. It also explores the new business opportunities emerging as technology and content become increasingly interconnected.
This affects more than just producers and creatives. Companies and professionals working in sound, lighting and stage technology also increasingly need to think across traditional disciplines. New production formats can create additional applications and services, opening up new opportunities in a growing entertainment market.
The session is organised by the Event Management Association (EMA). Announced speakers include Ittipol Sureerat, Vice President of the Business of Creative and Event Management Association, Thantaphat Chompoophol, Co-CEO of PM Center Co., Ltd., Pongpassakorn Kulthirathum, President of the Thai Immersive Digital Media Entrepreneur Trade Association (TIDMA), and Panadda Kongma, Vice President – Business at VNU Asia Pacific Co., Ltd.
Date: 30 September 2026, 13:50–14:35
Venue: Main Stage, Hall 100
Language: Thai
Point Source or Line Array: Which solution is the right fit?
Line arrays have become an integral part of large concerts, festivals and venues. However, that does not automatically mean they are the best choice for every application, as the session “Point source ‘Old Fashion or Smart Choice?’” demonstrates.
Dmitrii Bedniakov, Technical Manager of the Professional Audio Division at Siam Music Yamaha, compares point-source systems with line arrays. The session examines factors including sound coverage, throw distance, sound quality, installation and system complexity.
In doing so, the session addresses a key question in system planning: rather than simply choosing the technology that is currently most widespread, loudspeaker selection should always be based on the venue, the size of the area and the actual intended use. Point-source systems can therefore continue to offer advantages, particularly for small and medium-sized applications.
Date: 1 October 2026, 13:30–14:00
Venue: Main Stage, Hall 100
Language: English
AV over IP: Audio and video move onto the network
Another key focus of the programme is networked AV systems. Several sessions explore AV over IP, network infrastructure and the integration of different systems.
AV over IP enables audio and video signals to be transmitted over standardised IP networks. For professional installations, this can offer advantages in terms of scalability, flexibility and centralised management. Relevant applications include venues, hotels, convention centres, businesses and educational institutions.
The growing importance of this topic in the Southeast Asian market is also reflected in the exhibition itself: AV over IP is explicitly listed as one of the technology areas at Prolight + Sound Bangkok.
The Event Calendar includes sessions on AV over IP for larger audiovisual systems as well as the integration of networked AV technologies. For system integrators and technical planners, the programme therefore complements the products presented on the exhibition floor.
APIs and device management: Managing AV systems centrally
Closely related to this is the session “Integration of Device Management Platforms and APIs with AV Systems”.
The more components communicate within an installation, the more important centralised management platforms and open interfaces become. APIs – Application Programming Interfaces – allow different software and hardware solutions to exchange data and connect functions.
In professional AV installations, this can enable monitoring, device configuration, fault analysis and automated processes to be managed centrally. The topic also highlights the growing overlap between traditional AV technology, IT and software development.
Particularly in larger installations with numerous end devices, the ability to monitor and manage systems efficiently is becoming an increasingly important part of the planning process.
From sound system design to optimisation
Alongside networking topics, traditional Professional Audio remains a key part of the conference programme. The calendar includes, for example, sessions on sound system design and optimisation.
This involves much more than simply choosing individual loudspeakers. A well-functioning sound reinforcement system depends on the interaction of factors such as positioning, dispersion characteristics, room acoustics, signal processing and system alignment.
This is also where the previously announced TPQI Professional Audio Masterclass comes in. The three-day intensive programme organised by the Thailand Professional Qualification Institute is set to cover topics including Sound Engineering, Acoustic Design and Live Production.
The trade fair therefore offers both short specialist sessions and more in-depth training formats for audio professionals.
Light and sound as part of the tourism experience
Professional audio and lighting technology is no longer limited to concerts. The session “Designing Light and Sound to Vibe Up Tourism Hotspots for the Next Gen” demonstrates how technology can also shape tourism destinations and experiences.
The session focuses on how light and sound can be used to make destinations more appealing to a new generation of visitors. The topic therefore sits at the intersection of Lighting Design, Audio, Tourism and Experience Design.
This area is particularly interesting in Southeast Asia: hotels, resorts, leisure attractions, shopping and entertainment complexes, as well as tourism destinations, are increasingly investing in visually and acoustically staged experiences.
Announced speakers include Nattika Soonthornjaroennon, CEO and Founder of Idea Palette Bangkok, Asst. Prof. Dr. Panot Asawachai, Head of Tourism and MICE Management Department at Sripatum University, and Dr. Nuttaprachya Nantavisit, Lecturer at the School of Management Science at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University.
Date: 2 October 2026, 11:30–12:15
Venue: Main Stage, Hall 100
Immersive Experiences and the future of live entertainment
Immersive technologies are also among the announced focus areas of Prolight + Sound Bangkok. The trade fair explicitly mentions sessions on the future of concerts and festivals, artificial intelligence and Immersive Experiences.
Areas that were previously separate are increasingly converging: LED surfaces, projection, spatial audio, real-time content and virtual production can be combined to create integrated immersive environments.
For organisers, producers and technical service providers, this raises an increasingly important question: how will live experiences change as physical and digital design elements become more closely intertwined?
Smart AV for hotels, convention centres and businesses
Not every ProAV application takes place on a stage. Another area of the programme therefore focuses on the integration of AV systems in buildings and permanent installations.
The Thailand Professional Lighting & Audio Visual Systems Association (TLAV) is organising a format on the future of professional AV integration and smart solutions for Smart Buildings, Hospitality and Entertainment Venues. The focus includes hotels, convention centres and corporate spaces.
The session is therefore aimed specifically at system integrators, planners and operators. Topics such as centralised control, network technology and system integration are becoming just as important here as traditional audio and video technology.
Developing talent for the ProAV and entertainment industry
Technological development depends on the availability of skilled professionals. The trade fair is therefore also dedicating part of its programme to education and young talent.
The forum “Thailand’s Entertainment Industry: The Critical Role of Universities in Shaping Future Talent” aims to bring students and young professionals from six Thai universities together with industry experts. Mentoring, workshops and insights into potential career paths are planned. The aim is to connect academic education more closely with the real-world requirements of the ProAV and entertainment industry.
This is particularly relevant in a growing market: as demand for professional AV, event and entertainment technology increases, so does the need for technicians, engineers, designers and other specialised professionals.
Conference programme complements exhibition and networking
The sessions show that Prolight + Sound Bangkok is positioning itself as more than just a product showcase. Professional Audio and Lighting remain core topics, but they are increasingly being combined with IT, networking, software, content production, Immersive Technology and new business models.
Regional issues also play an important role. The “Future of the ASEAN Pro AVL” format announced by AVLIAS, for example, is set to focus on business opportunities in Southeast Asia and cross-border collaboration within the industry.
The conference programme therefore offers a wide range of perspectives – from specific technical issues and system planning to training and the long-term development of the ASEAN market.
The sessions presented here are only a selection from the programme. Further presentations, panel discussions, workshops and demonstrations will take place throughout the three days of the trade fair.
Visitors can find the full programme, including the latest dates, times, venues and – where already published – speakers in the official Prolight + Sound Bangkok Event Calendar. As individual sessions may still change or be added, it is worth checking the latest version of the calendar before visiting the trade fair.
