With less than two months to go before it opens its doors at the Frankfurt exhibition centre, Prolight+Sound sees the return of some heavyweights from the audio industry. The lighting and stage equipment industries, for their part, have clearly understood the importance of this exhibition in terms of international trade, and have reserved their product launches for it.
Of the 27,556 visitors to the 2023 Prolight+Sound, 47% came from outside Germany.
For almost 40% of visitors, this is the most important trade fair in the world. And more than 50% of the trade visitors were top-level decision-makers. Survey reveals 85% satisfaction rate.
In a constantly transforming event industry, Prolight + Sound is helping to shape change and providing impulses for the future. From 19 to 22 March 2024, the leading trade fair for the event & entertainment technology industry will open its doors to focus on innovation, inspiration and networking.
With a clear commitment to the sector and a broad spectrum of technological innovations, the event proves its reputation as an important international meeting place for manufacturers, decision-makers and creative minds from all areas of event technology.
The promising development in the event industry and the positive feedback from the sector are reflected in the manufacturers’ commitment to Prolight + Sound.
A large number of well-known companies have already declared their participation for 2024, including
Adam Hall, Adamson, ADJ, ALFA-SYSTEM, Algam, Altimate, Area Four, ARTTHEA, ASM, Astera, Aura Audio, AV Stumpfl, Avolites, Ayrton Lighting, BÜTEC, Cast, ChamSys, Chauvet, Claypaky, CLF Lighting, Coemar, ComputerWorks, CSI Audiovisuel, Das Audio, Dataton, Digital Projection, DTS, Elation, ETC, Eurotruss, FACE Bvba, Follow-Me, Gerriets, GLP, Harmonic Design, Highlite International, InEar, inoage, JB-Lighting, Kupo, KV2, Kvant Laser, L-Acoustics, Lawo, Lightpower, LMP, LumenRadio, Luminex, MA Lighting, Madrix, Major, Martin, MDG, Meyer Sound, Milan, Mipro, Movecat, Music & Lights, Music & Sales, Neutrik, NTi, Osram, Portman, Prolite, RCF, Riedel, ROBE, Robert Juliat, ROE, Rosco, Roxx, RVE, Sfat, SGM, Smoke Factory, SICA, Sixty82, SpotlightSRV, Steinigke, TAIT, TMB, Tronios, Unilumin, Vari Lite, Verlinde, Vision Ears, Vireless Solution, Zactrack… and more to be discovered on the prolight+Sound website
Mira Wölfel, Director Prolight + Sound, emphasises: “We are creating an internationally oriented stage in the heart of Europe where the industry comes together to develop innovative ideas for the future and to set trends.
At Prolight + Sound, the industry not only underlines its economic importance, but also its awareness for sustainability, networking, creativity and the promotion of young talent.”
Uniting the industry: The main goal of Prolight + Sound 2024
In the face of impending recession and a growing demand for sustainability, the event industry finds renewed optimism through mutual support and collaboration. Prolight + Sound 2024 recognizes this spirit and aims to position itself as a catalyst for new alliances and innovative solutions.
The fair aspires to be a melting pot, bringing together creative minds from all corners of the event technology world. At the heart of the sector for 29 years, Prolight + Sound remains at the forefront of industry discourse. The event is a true community get-together, a global family where professionals can connect and explore the latest advancements.
Wide-reaching platform for the industry
Whether concert stages, opera houses, clubs, museums, theme parks or worlds of experience: Prolight + Sound presents the entire spectrum of technological innovations from the world of event technology and provides them with an internationally relevant platform.
Sound, studio and production equipment, as well as media and camera technology, are once again at home in Hall 11.
One of the highlights is the newly developed Image Creation Hub: In cooperation with the Bundesverband der Fernsehkameraleute e.V. (BFVK – Federal Association of Television Camera Operators), a unique area is being created for everything to do with moving pictures. The heart of the site is the Speakers Area in the style of a television studio.
Hall 11 will also be the stage for innovations in DJing and digital live performance, complemented by various audio demo rooms and workshops.
In Hall 12, everything revolves around lighting and theatre equipment, projection and display technology as well as event services, equipment and planning.
The outdoor area will attract visitors with spectacular live presentations of outdoor solutions for audio and display technology as well as mobile stages, tents and inflatables.
Focusing on the Future: Trends and Innovations
As the public’s appetite for entertainment grows, evidenced by this year’s vibrant festival season, Prolight + Sound 2024 aligns itself with the future, focusing on the sustainability concepts and the promotion of young talent.
The Prolight + Sound Experience: ‘Glitz and Glamour’ meet Business: The upcoming show promises a vibrant mix of glitz, glamour, and serious business. Attendees can anticipate an exceptional keynote programme, captivating live performances, exclusive community nights, and upgraded red carpet award ceremonies. Prolight + Sound 2024 is where the international event technology family convenes.
Key Highlights: What to Expect
– Theatre + Light: Europe’s largest trade fair for lighting in the event industry, showcasing the latest products by key players from nearly 40 countries. In addition, ROBE will celebrate their 30thanniversary at Prolight + Sound 2024 with a spectacular area.
– Expanding the Audio Sector: Key players such as RCF, L-Acoustics, HK Audio, DAS Audio, and Meyer Sound will present exciting innovations. At the new Audio Bar, visitors can try out high-quality headphones from well-known brands in a relaxed bar atmosphere. The Live Sound Arena will showcase sound reinforcement systems under realistic conditions.
– Performance + Production Hub: The innovative hub for product experience, knowledge transfer, and entertainment will be expanded to a 3,000 m² area including a newly built Soundbox, that will be brought to life by an array of high-calibre live performers.
– Enhanced Educational Programme: The Prolight + Sound College will consist of three bilingual colleges (EN/GE): Camera College (in cooperation with the BVFK), ProAudio College (in cooperation with the VDT e.V.) and the VPLT College.
– The Prolight + Sound Knowledge Hub will include the Prolight + Sound Conference (in cooperation with the VPLT), I-ESC (International Event Safety Conference) with a curated, bilingual programme, the Manufacturers’ Forum and the Main Stage, where an array of high-calibre keynotes will be presented by renowned speakers.
– Emphasising Sustainability: “Green Sessions” in collaboration with EVVC, are-designed Future Hub as an Urban Garden, and guided tours on sustainable event technology.
– Image Creation Hub: A new moving image area, developed in cooperation with the BVFK (Federal Association of Television Cinematographers), featuring workshops, exhibitions, and daily talks on cutting-edge topics.
At an accompanying exhibition, visitors can experience the innovations of renowned brands (for example, Canon, Sony, Sumolight and many more).
– Promoting young talent: Future Hub (Hall 11) is the central contact point for young event talents.
It consists of the Campus (where educational institutions present specialised courses of study), Career Center (a meeting hub between professionals and companies with vacancies), Start-up Area (a low-cost presentation opportunity for young, innovative companies) and the Networking Lounge (which invites young and seasoned professionals to relax, connect, and exchange ideas in a cozy Urban Garden setting).
The Future Talents Day (on 22 March) shows occupational fields in the industry to trainees and students.
– Upgraded community events and awards: Prolight + Sound 2024 introduces new community events, including three community nights at exclusive locations in Frankfurt City, among them the Champions Bar at the Marriott Hotel.
The Opus / Sinus Award Ceremony transforms into a glamorous red carpet gala dinner at the Steigenberger Icon Frankfurter Hof (21 March).
– New visitor groups: Prolight + Sound is further opening up new target markets and visitor groups, among them Scandinavia, amusement parks, churches, theatres & playhouses and rental companies. 1,000 theatres from all over Europe are invited, including 50 French theatres.
Meet the Maestros: Guest Speakers and Performers
Prolight + Sound 2024 boasts an elevated keynote program with luminaries such as:
– Holoplot : on the groundbreaking immersive audio system they created for The Sphere in Las Vegas
– Genevieve Cleary : Award-winning creative director on “The Power of Sound”
– Stefan Weil : CCO of Atelier Markgraph on “Music makes the people”
– William Ellis & Prof. Tim Wall : talk about their “What is your One LP?” project
– Gregor Tresher & Edgar Dirksen : on their careers, being a producer, running a label etc.
– Stefan Luppold et Patrick Haag : will explain the “Success factors for events”
– Yasi Hofer : about live performing and touring life
– Renowned live performers, including award-winning: DJ Emanuel Satie and guitarist
Yasi Hofer (Helene Fischer band and others), promise to elevate the entertainment quotient. The full programme, including further speakers and performers, will be announced in the coming weeks.
Free Access to Knowledge and Innovation
All lectures, workshops, product demos, and the PLS Community Nights are free of charge for visitors with a valid ticket.
Prolight+Sound : From 19 to 24 mars 2024 – Location: Messe Frankfurt – Website : Messe frankfurt
