Prolight+Sound - 5 to 8 April 2016 at the Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre - introduces a completely new concept. The trade-show will now take place at the East side of the fair and will be starting a few days before the Musikmesse. Messe Frankfurt promoted a press conference to provide updates on the rollout of the new concept, as well as initial information about the positive response so far received from exhibitors.
During the press conference, Christopher Sparkes, Director Marketing Communications Entertainment, Media & Creation, Stephan Kurzawski, Senior Vice President Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH, and Michael Biwer, Director Prolight + Sound, detailed the implementation of the new concept, and provided initial information about the exhibitors and the complementary conference program.
Prolight+Sound 2016 will be remembered by the move to the east side of the fair and new sequence of days, together with the introduction of an improved training program for the event sector. The new hall layout and several innovations such as the creation of business-oriented areas, have so far generated positive response from exhibitors. The new sequence of days, with a shift to four working days (Tuesday to Friday) have also been positively received by the industry, reinforcing the profile of Prolight+Sound as a trade fair and paving the way for the extension of the complementary program to cover the entire duration of the show.
According to Frankfurt Messe, confidence is surrounding the future development of Prolight+Sound. The 2016 international trade fair of technologies and services for entertainment, integrated systems and creation will be noted, not just for the many changes and developments, but also for a broad spectrum of exhibitors from all segments of the event sector. So, whilst 2015 was a record year, the prediction is for further growth, with the new optimized concept underscoring the event’s reputation among companies and trade visitors from all spheres of event and stage technology, AV media technology and systems integration along with studio technology and broadcasting.
“Over many years the event industry has rode a strong economic wave. So it needs a trade fair platform that keeps pace with this impressive growth trend. Commitment to Prolight+Sound, combined with strong investment, has made the show fit for the future, providing the sector with an unrivaled global show space and trading point”, explains Michael Biwer, Director of Prolight +Sound.
All the key players in the event technology market have already announced their attendance, including companies such as Adam Hall, Audio-Technica, Avid Technology, d&b audiotechnik, dBTechnologies, DiGiCo, Harman International, L-Acoustics, Lawo, Meyer Sound, Monacor, Peavey, Pioneer DJ, Riedel, and Sennheiser, which traditional have a large presence at the show. “The high number of companies that have re-booked space or increased the size of their stand is testament to their confidence in the changes. What is more, there are many manufacturers and service providers who will be at Prolight+Sound for the first time for this premiere of the new concept,” says Frankfurt Messe.
Cornerstones of the new concept
The increasing demand for exhibition space for the booming event sector resulted in a fundamental change to the hall layout. The new location on the East Side of the Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre allowed extending the range of products and subject areas by utilizing six halls and the extensive central outdoor area. The sequence of days is also changing: in future Prolight+Sound will open Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to 7 pm.
Holding the trade fair over four working days underscores Prolight+Sound’s profile as a professional trade fair. To the same end, the improved conference and seminar program will be extended to all four days. Messe Frankfurt has also further expanded the global marketing of the event to reinforce Prolight+Sound’s outstanding reputation as international ‘coming-together’ and global trading platform.
Six product areas provide a unique global overview of new product development across the sector. Hall 3.0 features exhibitors from theatre, studio and stage lighting along with stage technology, machinery and lifting beams. In addition to current trends in the field of lighting, visitors to Hall 4.0 will find innovative new products relating to media, film and camera technology, displays, video and LED. Spectacular effects for shows and events are on display in Hall 5.0 along with innovative installation fittings for event venues.
Halls 3.1 and 4.1 provide a special focal point for sound, studio and radio. The first hall focuses on public address systems of all sizes and application areas, while the second gives prominence to manufacturers from the areas of microphone technology, production, broadcasting and recording. Digital audio networking technology is a growth area which is also featured extensively in this hall.
The Forum arena creates a perfect presentational environment for associations, publishers, service providers and educational establishments. Companies on the outdoor area have the opportunity to display their products in outdoor conditions: from PA systems to mobile stages, from LED walls to tent systems.
To help visitors find the products which are particularly relevant to them, there will again be brochures for specific product groups. These so-called quickfinders provide a concise list of each respective exhibitor in the ‘special interest’ areas of Broadcast, Production+Recording (e.g. audio-interfaces, mixing consoles, monitoring systems), Media Systems (e.g. loudspeakers for permanent installations, control systems, communications technology), Stage (e.g. lifting beams, stage components, theatre fixtures and fittings) in addition to the Eventplaza (e.g. furniture, decoration, transportation solutions, software for organizers).
As a consequence of the new sequence of days, the Prolight+Sound seminar program will extend over the four days of the show. The sessions will take place in the Forum.0. They are free to trade fair visitors and bundled into two series of seminars. The Prolight+Sound Conference focuses on professional users in all areas of event technology. It deals with questions on all aspects of lighting and sound design in addition to network technology and server mapping, rigging, stage construction and much more. The Eventplaza Conference communicates trends and strategies for event and incentive managers, marketing managers, communication and human resources along with congress and conference organizers. It offers a program that is strictly tailored to this target group and highlights what they need to take into account when planning and implementing high-profile events and how innovative technologies can support this process.
Wach day, across both the Prolight+Sound and the Eventplaza Conference will be dedicated to a specific theme. On Tuesday the focus is on professional qualification and encouraging young people into the industry, while Wednesday concentrates on event safety and legal framework conditions, when the established International Event Safety Conference (I-ESC) takes place. The speakers on Thursday and Friday deal with a broad spectrum of content concerning event technology and marketing. It includes everything from new technical standards in the audio and video area to the management of radio frequencies and new approaches to marketing. In addition, the Manufacturers’ Forum gives manufacturers the chance to showcase actual projects to demonstrate current developments in event technology.
Prolight+Sound will once again be host to several high-profile award ceremonies. The Opus – German Stage Award – has been presented since 2002 for outstanding achievement in the areas of theatre and stage production, live events and open-air events. It recognizes people who have earned renown through their work in all aspects of stage design, lighting design, video, sound design and technical realization. In addition, the Sinus – Systems Integrations Award – recognizes projects noted for the innovative and pioneering use of media technology and systems integration. In so doing it turns the spotlight on the outstanding contribution of companies working in the area of audio-visual communication. What is more, Frankfurt is once again a meeting place for the who’s who of international trade journalists to present the Prolight+Sound International Press Award (PIPA). This prize recognizes the best products in the professional audio and video industry. The award ceremonies take place on April 7, as part of a festival evening event in the ‘Europa’ room (Hall 4.0).
Strong partners and valuable synergies
According to Frankfurt Messe, this new trade fair concept was born not just from close dialogue with companies and visitor groups, but also took into consideration the wishes and requirements of the sector’s main associations. The supporters of Prolight+Sound include amongst others the Professional Lighting & Sound Association of Germany (Verband für Licht-, Ton- und Veranstaltungstechnik - VPLT), European Association of Event Centers (Europäischer Verband der Veranstaltungs-Centren - EVVC), the Event Business Interest Group (Interessensgemeinschaft Veranstaltungswirtschaft (IGVW), Association of German Sound Engineers (Verband Deutscher Tonmeister – VDT ), the Federation of German Disk Jockeys (Berufsverband Deutscher Diskjockeys e. V. - BVD), the Federation of Professional Film and Television Associations (Vereinigung der Berufsverbände Film und Fernsehen (Die Filmschaffenden e. V.)) and AV Alliance, the international event technology rental network, along with many partners from the media and education sector.
In the coming year synergies between Prolight+Sound and Musikmesse, the international trade fair for musical instruments, sheet music, music production and music business connections, will be maintained. Musikmesse takes place from 7 to 10 April 2016, which means that it coincides with Prolight+Sound on the Thursday and Friday. On these days the entry ticket for Prolight+Sound also enables visitor’s access to Musikmesse.
In 2015 Prolight+Sound had 920 exhibitors from 41 countries – the largest number ever – receiving 43,054 visitors from 133 countries.
www.prolight-sound.com | www.musikmesse.com
www.messefrankfurt.com
