Prolight + Sound 2023: Great Anticipation for the Leading Trade Fair of the Entertainment Technology Sector

The industry is getting ready for four full days of business, networking and positive energy. At Prolight + Sound (25 to 28 April), visitors can discover all the latest trends and technologies for spectacular events.

By
Matt Bauer
on
March 9, 2023
Category:
Events

The industry is getting ready for four full days of business, networking and positive

energy. At Prolight + Sound (25 to 28 April), visitors can discover all the latest

trends and technologies for spectacular events. For the first time since 2019, the

show will take place without major global travel restrictions. As a result, exhibitors

from all over the world, including Asia, will once again be represented in large

numbers. Prolight + Sound will thus be a global meeting place for companies,

decision-makers, professionals – and for young talents on the threshold of a career

in the event industry. The show offers a broad spectrum of products and themes,

from lighting and lasers, via PA systems and studio technology, to projection and

LED as well as event services. Particularly in the field of theatre and stage

technology, the event has evolved into Europe’s largest meeting place.

“Together with our partners and the whole team, we have worked unceasingly to create

the platform the industry needs and deserves. We are looking forward to numerous

premières in the programme, to the exhibitors’ innovations and interesting encounters.

Particularly, I am looking forward to celebrating the successful future of the event

industry with the exhibitors and visitors at the get-together on the evening of the first day

of the fair”, says Mira Wölfel, Director Prolight + Sound. The key players showing their new products and innovations at the show include 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, FACE, Focon, Gala Systems, Gerriets, GLP, Highlite

International, HOAC, HOF, Igus, InEar, JB-Lighting, Kling & Freitag, KS Audio, Kvant, L-

Acoustics, Laserworld, Lawo, Lightpower, Link, LMP Lichttechnik, MA Lighting, Major,

Martin by Harman, Meyer Sound, Mipro, Osram, PK Sound, Portman, Primacoustics,

Prolights, Radial Engineering, Riedel, Robe, Robert Juliat, Rosco, SBS Bühnentechnik,

SGM, TAIT, TMB, Unilumin, Waagner-Biro and Zactrack.

Top attractions for audio professionals

More extensive than ever before is the spectrum of presentation and programme formats

in the audio sector. For the first time, the ProAudio College offers a specialist training

programme for audio technicians working in the live and studio segments. To be held on

all four days of the fair, the focal points of the programme include immersive sound

systems, psychoacoustics, live sound in difficult environments, home-studio productions

and tips for newcomers to the profession. The programme has been developed in close

cooperation with the Association of German Sound Engineers (VDT) and is being held

partly in German and partly in English.

Successfully launched last year, the Performance + Production Hub is being expanded for

Prolight + Sound 2023. In cooperation with the makers of the Sample Music Festival and

well-known brands, Messe Frankfurt is creating an elaborate Experience Zone revolving

around innovative sound tools in the ‘Portalhaus’ building. The events include daily

workshops and showcases on DJing, remixing, beat-making, field recording and sound

branding. Also part of the Performance + Production Hub is, for the first time, an action

stage organised by PRO MUSIK – Association of Freelance Music Creators. Here, visitors

have the opportunity to participate in discussions with professional musicians, to explore

career scenarios and to attend performances, interviews and lectures. Another highlight

in the audio segment is the Vintage Concert Audio Show in Hall 11.0. This curated

exhibition includes over 200 showpieces covering the history of sound systems over the

last sixty years and presents fascinating discussions with personalities from the audio

business.

The meeting place for tomorrow’s professionals

Given the ongoing process of demographic change, it is incumbent on the sector to

inspire young talents for a career in the events and entertainment business. The Future

Hub in Hall 11.0 brings together content of particular significance for newcomers to the

industry and gives young talents the chance to meet companies with suitable vacancies

as well as educational institutes in the event sector. Additionally, the Future Talents Day

returns to Prolight + Sound this year, on Friday 28 April, with an open invitation for all

trainees, students and young people interested in the industry. The programme includes

lectures on career scenarios in the event business, networking events with exhibitors,

behind-the-scenes tours and much more.

Moreover, Prolight + Sound is spotlighting gender equality in the event business with the

inclusion of the Women in Lighting Lounge in Hall 12.0. This is a central meeting place for

female professionals, as well as interested newcomers. It is also the venue for interviews

with inspiring personalities and a source of information about career options. Organised

in cooperation with Light Collective, the initiator of the ‘Women in Lighting’ (WIL)

project, lectures and discussions on relevant subjects are being held on the Theatre +

Light Stage throughout the fair. Rounding off this part of the programme are daily WIL Meet-ups at the Ayrton stand.

Full commitment to a greener event industry

Taking steps to conserve natural resources is not just a social obligation. It can also help

make events more economically efficient. Thus, lectures and panel discussions on

sustainability in the event business are being held within the framework of the EVVC

Green Sessions on all four days of the fair. The main topics covered include not only

organisational and technological steps towards climate-neutral events but also social

sustainability, environmentally friendly tour management and sustainability

communication. The keynote address at the Green Sessions is being given by the

Austrian cultural and social anthropologist Bettina Ludwig at 12.00 hrs on 25 April. In her

lecture, she will discuss the elements linking people across all geographic and cultural

borders, and deduce recommendations for actions to be taken by the event industry.

Additionally, suppliers of solutions that contribute to a more positive CO2 balance are

marked accordingly in the catalogue and the exhibitor search engine.

Four days of training and direct product experience

Experts from the industry are ready to pass on their knowledge on several stages at

Prolight + Sound. At the Main Stage in Hall 11.0, trade-association representatives focus

on the most urgent subjects of superordinate relevance for the industry as a whole. In Hall

12, the Theatre + Light Stage presents new technological trends in action. Moreover,

there is the Manufacturers’ Forum where exhibitors demonstrate their innovative

solutions and areas of application. The International Event Safety Conference (I-ESC) also

makes a welcome return and focuses on occupational safety, infection protection at events

and tools for the regulation-conform implementation of the large number of projects in the post-Covid era.

All lectures, workshops, showcases and product demonstrations are free of charge for

holders of a valid Prolight + Sound ticket, which also gives admission to the grand Get-

together with live music and drinks in the evening of the first day of the fair (from 18.00

hrs).

Full details about Prolight + Sound can be found at www.prolight-sound.com.

As an international trade-fair brand, Prolight + Sound is represented by events in

Germany, China and Dubai. Further information about the global activities of Prolight +

Sound is available at www.prolight-sound.com/weltweit.

Prolight + Sound

The Global Entertainment Technology Show

Prolight + Sound in Frankfurt am Main opens its doors from 25 to 28 April 2023.

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Matt Bauer

Matt Bauer is the Editor of Professional Lighting & Production