GR-Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre (GR) is a bustling 23-hall venue operating in the middle of the Slovenian capital, hosting a variety of national and international expos and trade fairs. It is also used for television productions, special live events, and some music concerts.
Recently, the venue has boosted its Robe moving light stock with the purchase of Esprites, LEDBeam 350s and LEDBeam 150s which have been added to their existing ParFects, Spiider LED wash beams, MegaPointes and LEDBeam 150s. All this equipment has been delivered by Robe’s Slovenian distributor, MK Light Sound.
GR’s head of AV, Boris Kutin on the left with MK Light Sound’s Dean Karov.
“We own a quantity of equipment which is available site-wide for different events as needed, and if more is required, we cross rent,” explained Boris Kutin, the venue’s head of AV and part of a technical team ensuring all GR productions are delivered smoothly and with high production values.
The Esprites were specified as a quality profile luminaire for their excellent white light, versatility, accurate shutter system and the remote beam shaping which can be executed via the lighting console. Also, they are popular and commonly available in Slovenia thanks to the MK Light Sound’s proactivity and hard work.
The initial batch of LEDBeam 150s proved so handy and useful that it made sense to get more. Providing fantastic power for the tiny size, they can be fitted into sets and stages almost everywhere!
The LEDBeam 350s were new to the venue
LEDBeam 350s
They were chosen as a solution to sit between the LEDBeam 150s and Spiiders. The excellent 3.8 to 60 degree zoom means they can be an effective wash light as well as a piercing beam and an efficient spot, while the compact size is perfect for events across all the spaces at GR, which are both large and small.
“We need a full range of different lights at our disposal, that’s our strategy and this will shape our future investments,” confirmed Boris. Their decision-making process involves plenty of dialogue with lighting designers, programmers, technicians, and those regularly working around the venue, alongside general market research into current and popular technologies and trends. GR’s CEO Iztok Bricl is also involved.
Most events staged at the venue have lighting designed by the in-house team, and the schedule encompasses a mix of conferences, expos, hybrids, product presentations, brand activations, concerts, corporate events, gala evenings, awards shows, prom dances, new year celebrations and even some weddings. It is a truly ‘multipurpose’ venue in every sense of the word! They also present their own massive trade shows like the annual International Home Fair, which is the largest specialized construction industry fair in Slovenia, primarily aimed at builders and renovators.
“Nature Health” is another big one. Running for the 53rd time later in 2023, these highlight businesses operating in ecological construction, renewable energy resources, landscaping, and waste recycling in addition to wellness, healthy food and cosmetics.
The venue also frequently showcases the work of young and emerging fashion designers, and there is never a dull or a quiet moment all year round! During Covid, GR was a regular venue for TV broadcasts and one hall was converted into a streaming studio, with the help of all their Robe lights.
“We fully trust Robe’s quality and reliability as a brand,” confirms Boris when asked what they considered the main advantages of the ongoing investments. The team enjoys working with Robe fixtures when they are staging shows lit by their own LDs, and the brand is frequently requested on riders and technical specs and by visiting LDs coming to work at the venue for specific projects.
Boris added that technical back up and support is “obviously” another consideration, and they have full confidence in MK Light Sound taking care of this aspect of the relationship.
For more info about Robe lighting, you can visit www.robe.cz
Text by Robe - Photos: Louise Stickland
