Prolight+Sound 2017 and Musikmesse 2017 will be a decisive moment for Messe Frankfurt to fine-tune the model going forward for these two important shows. While Prolight+Sound 2016 was clearly a successful event for pro audio and lighting companies exhibiting in the modern Hall 3, everything else was a complete disaster for this traditional Frankfurt fair - from the layout of the remaining Prolight+Sound halls to the disconnect with Musikmesse, located in the extreme end of the gigantic Frankfurt Messe complex, the absence of key brands and the significant drop in visitors, trade press and traffic between the two shows.
For 2017, Messe Frankfurt implemented once again significant changes, starting with a new organizational structure for optimum interlinkage of the two shows, with Michael Biwer, previously responsible for Prolight+Sound, now responsible for key account management, which will return to a more coordinate model in 2017. Following those conceptual developments, Frankfurt Messe hopes to, once again, attract the ideal environment for product presentations, business and recruiting.Prolight+Sound will maintain and continue to develop the new components for the next edition in 2017, showcasing the latest products and trends in the sector. By moving to the eastern part of Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre in 2016, the fair was able to expand the spectrum of products and services on show and, as in the past, all key players will be represented at Prolight+Sound 2017, many of them with even bigger presentations than before. The shift in the days of opening to Tuesday to Friday was given a positive reception and will be retained for Prolight+Sound. A wide-ranging seminar programme covering all business segments will be held on all four days of the fair.
Key leading brands of all branches of the event-technology industry have already registered to exhibit at Prolight+Sound 2017. The exhibition halls and the extensive outdoor exhibition area in the eastern section of Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre provide the space required for the targeted presentation of the individual product groups. Prolight+Sound is split into the following sections: Audio+Sound (Hall 3.1, Hall 4.1), Light+Stage (Hall 3.0), Light+Multimedia (Hall 4.0), Light+Entertainment (Hall 5.0) and Education+Associations (Forum.0).
Additionally, the outdoor exhibition space makes it possible to demonstrate new products under realistic, open-air conditions. In 2017, the Concert Sound Arena, which presents PA systems in action, will be centrally located on the Agora, in the heart of the eastern section. At the same time, the Live Sound Arena, close to the City entrance, will showcase mobile PA systems. Also on the outdoor area will be mobile stages, tent systems and LED walls.
An improved visitor-guidance system compared to last year will make it easier for visitors to find the individual product groups. Moreover, there will be separate, clearly laid-out brochures for ‘special interest’ product groups, which bring together the appropriate exhibitors from the various segments. These ‘Quickfinders’ will be available for the ‘Broadcast, Production & Recording’, ‘Stage & Theatre’, ‘Media Technology & System Integration’ and ‘Event & Congress’ product segments. Exhibitors from the individual ‘special interest’ segments can also be found directly via the online search engine of the Prolight+Sound website and the Prolight+Sound app.
The professional-development programme is split into three seminar blocks. The Prolight+Sound Conference is characterized by a wide spectrum of disciplines covering all aspects of professional event and AV media technology. The conference has two main sections, Basic and Advanced, and is aimed at both newcomers and experienced personnel. It offers an opportunity to refresh the basics, learn from experts and exchange ideas and information with colleagues. The second block, the Eventplaza Conference, will be held for the seventh year running. Aimed in particular at event and incentive managers, HR managers and congress and conference organisers, it tackles subjects such as event safety, progressive event production and effective event communication. The third seminar block, the Manufacturers’ Forum was launched at the last Prolight+Sound and is to be continued in 2017. There, leading companies from the sector present technological trends with reference to specific projects.
Prolight+Sound 2017 will introduce visitors to the Silent-Stage concept in Hall 4.1, a new special area to learn how this innovative stage set-up can help improve not only the mix but also the performance of musical acts. The advantages of a silent stage will be explained and opportunities for implementing the concept illustrated by live demonstrations featuring a presenter and band. Numerous event-technology companies are involved in realising the special area and will be showing their products and technologies, including Audio-Technica, Box of Doom, Cymatic Audio, Fischer Amps, Hearsafe, InEar, Kemper, Klang Technologies and Vision Ears.
Three-day overlap with Musikmesse
Together with Musikmesse, International Trade Fair for Musical Instruments, Sheet Music, Music Production and Music Business Connections, Prolight+Sound represents the world’s biggest get-together for the music and event industry. Changing the days of Musikmesse to Wednesday to Saturday means the valuable synergistic effects between the two events will be strengthened compared to 2016, with Musikmesse and Prolight+Sound being held concurrently on three days. Altogether, the two trade fairs attracted well over 100,000 visitors from 130 countries and around 2,000 exhibitors from 60 countries in 2016.
Musikmesse is giving particular emphasis to the presentation formats to ensure suitable arrangements for all exhibitors, from small manufacturers to international key players. Also in planning are genre-specific attractions for all musical communities, with new measures to cut noise levels in the halls. Messe Frankfurt also hopes the shift in the days of opening from Wednesday to Saturday and targeted B2B facilities, will help bring back the momentum, lost in 2016.
As in the past, the focus of Musikmesse is on promoting contacts between companies and retailers and distributors. To ensure that participants have the chance to conduct discussions and carry out qualitative tests on instruments, Messe Frankfurt is extending the existing measures for noise-reduction in the exhibition halls. Together with specialists from the acoustic sector, the organisers are planning an effective acoustic separation of the product groups in the halls. Additionally, there will be a separate area for testing instruments on the outdoor area to further reduce noise levels at the exhibition stands.
The successful Musikmesse Insider programme for trade visitors will also be continued and extended. It offers musical-instrument retailers from all over Europe a variety of services that make visiting the fair more convenient and promising. Additionally, the Musikmesse Matchmaking programme will bring exhibitors together with highly relevant and interesting potential customers.
As part of the new concept for 2016, Messe Frankfurt invested in new attractions and events for musicians and music aficionados in the halls and outdoor area. Now, the fair and exhibition company is continuing this programme into 2017 so that visitors in all halls will be able to experience not only the latest innovations from the sector but also enjoy interesting show and event areas.
In Hall 11.0, visitors will find products and innovations from the fields of percussion, electric guitars and bases, amplifiers and accessories. In the middle of the hall, the Musikmesse Drums Brandworld and the Musikmesse Guitar Brandworld offer highlights for the target group: in an emotionally-charged presentation and experiential area, they will be able to see and hear performances by world-famous musicians, discover new features of familiar brands, obtain hints on improving their playing techniques and learn more about the special aspects of high-grade musical instruments in product demonstrations. The ‘Brandworlds’ are divided into the Camp segment (gigs by top stars in sound-proof cabins, exhibition of original touring equipment, meets and greets), the Brand Area (exhibition stands for manufacturers of branded products), the College (workshops and masterclasses by virtuosos) and the Academy (musical-instrument demonstrations with the focus on retailers and distributors).From acoustic guitars, via plucked and bowed instruments, percussion and harmonica instruments, to woodwind and brass instruments, Hall 8.0 presents the complete spectrum of acoustic instruments and the corresponding works of reference. The new arrangement in Hall 9.0 gives greater emphasis than before to the synergies between the Keys and Recording product segments. There, visitors will find exhibitors from the piano, grand piano, keyboard, church organ, digital piano and historical keyboard instrument segments. New products from the fields of synthesizers, recording equipment, microphones, audio / video, software and accessories are located in an acoustically separate part of the hall.
In consultation with the sector, Musikmesse will open its doors from 10.00 to 18.00 hrs on Wednesday to Saturday and thus be held concurrently with Prolight+Sound (4 to 7 April), on three of the four days.
4 - 7 April
Prolight+Sound Frankfurt
5 - 8 April
Musikmesse Frankfurt
www.musikmesse.com | www.prolight-sound.com | www.messefrankfurt.com
