As expected, the feeling between the Musikmesse, International Trade Show for Musical Instruments, Sheet Music, Music Production and Music Business Connections and the Prolight+Sound, International Show of Technologies and Services for Events, Installation and Production was radically different.
With the Musikmesse still indicating a downturn motivated by the economic uncertainty and consumer’s decreasing purchasing power in Europe, Prolight+Sound 2015 continued upbeat with growing business in most of the professional audio segments and strong technology innovations, motivating one of the most exciting editions ever, in terms of product launches.
The situation is completely different in the event-technology industry, which is profiting from the ever-increasing demand for spectacular productions, technological progress and the constantly changing legal background that calls for a continuous stream of new solutions. This trend is also reflected by the upwards trend in exhibitor numbers at Prolight+Sound. This year, 928 companies have showed their products and services (versus 898 exhibitors in 2014), a new record on the occasion of its 20th anniversary.
Together, Musikmesse and Prolight+Sound had more visitors from all over the world, while exhibitors were satisfied with the course of business and orders placed. In 2014 the two shows together attracted 107,629 visitors from 142 countries and 2,216 exhibitors from 57 countries (FKM-certified data). According to the Frankfurt Messe, this year, both shows were characterized by an excellent trade-visitor standard, a good propensity to order and a high level of internationality, which resulted in a significant increase in the level of exhibitor satisfaction at both events.
Particularly successful at Musikmesse was the new business area for improved contacts between manufacturers, distributors and musical-instrument retailers. “The show is an extremely important platform where exhibitors can launch their new products – and judge their position in relation to their competitors. In this connection, the show is distinguished by great internationality whereby the new B2B area was a very useful improvement this year. Naturally, the show is also important to help consumers develop a feeling for music”, says Gerhard A. Meinl, Chairman of the Federal Association of German Musical Instrument Manufacturers (Bundesverband der Deutschen Musikinstrumenten-Hersteller e.V. - BDMH).
Confirming this assessment, Dr Christian Blüthner-Haessler, CEO of Julius Blüthner Pianofortefabrik, said, “We generated lots of business and gained many new customers during the four days of the show. Particularly in a time when the climate in the sector is rather inclement, Musikmesse 2015 came fully up to expectations.”
With full aisles, a busy atmosphere on the exhibition stands and a high-grade conference program, Prolight+Sound 2015 underscored its position as the leading international trade show for the event technology and entertainment sector. The Professional Lighting & Sound Association of Germany (Verband für Licht-, Ton- und Veranstaltungstechnik - VPLT) was also very pleased with the results of the show: “From our point of view, it was once again clear that the heart of the sector beats at Prolight+Sound. This year, thanks to numerous products and services, the media, theater, show and events segments came even more closely together and were to be seen at a glance at the same time and place during the four days of the show. Simultaneously, we see here just how international our business is”, said Helge Leinemann, Member of the Board of VPLT.
Musikmesse and Prolight+Sound 2015 attracted 2,257 exhibitors from 57 countries (versus 2,216 exhibitors in 2014). While Musikmesse has remained stable in terms of exhibitor numbers despite a volatile market, Prolight + Sound reflects the buoyant mood of its sector and has set a new exhibitor record. “The ups and downs of companies in the musical-instrument sector represent a distinct contrast to the booming event-technology industry,” explained Detlef Braun, Member of the
Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt.
Despite the continuing process of consolidation in the market, the number of companies exhibiting at this year’s Musikmesse remained at last year’s level: 1,329 companies (2014: 1,318) from all parts of the world of musical instruments, sheet music, music production and marketing. 69 percent of the exhibitors were from outside Germany – altogether, the companies taking part come from 51 different countries. Besides Germany, the top ten visitor nations at Prolight+Sound are the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Austria, China, Great Britain, Sweden and Poland.
Stars, music and entertainment
At the same time, the extensive program of events makes Musikmesse an extraordinary musical experience. With the show opening to the general public on two full days this year, greater emphasis than ever before was given to making the show an unforgettable occasion. With over 1,000 concerts, workshops, autograph sessions and presentations, the Musikmesse event program had something for all tastes – from classic to rock and heavy metal.
One of the most important aims of Musikmesse is to promote music making among young people. To this end, Messe Frankfurt once again increased the spectrum of facilities and services. Thus, on the one hand, opening the show on the Friday made it easier for school groups to attend the show. On the other hand, the Music4Kids participatory exhibition sent over 8,000 children aged from three to ten on a journey of musical discovery with extraordinary instrument creations, sound experiments and sound installations. At the School Jam finale, young talents competed for the title of ‘Germany’s Best School Band’. Moreover, the European School Music Award for particularly worthwhile music-teaching projects was presented at the show.
More effective events
The event business is booming – and the expectations on impressive productions are growing constantly. As in the past, this year’s Prolight + Sound presented everything necessary for creating a spectacular event whereby the sector is more innovation-driven than virtually any other.
Prolight+Sound 2015 reflected many of the trends that spur the industry. For example, 3D mapping technology makes building facades come to life, digital sounding mixing and mobile recording technologies provide for increasing flexibility while high-resolution displays ensure pin- sharp images – increasingly, with a touch function, too. Moreover, the sector is attaching greater importance to sustainability. Efficient audio amplifiers, LED lighting and projectors with a long service lives make ‘green events’ increasingly realistic.
With a broad range of products, Prolight+Sound was once again an impressive showcase for a complex and expanding industry. “The impression made by this year’s Prolight+Sound is very positive, vibrant and dynamic. Here, we encounter an exceedingly heterogeneous clientele and are very pleased with the course of business. We have been able to show our portfolio of products in an optimum light and thus reach customers from all over Europe, as well as many from overseas, the Middle East and America”, says Christian Massmann, CEO, Eyevis GmbH.
Prolight+Sound not only generates impulses for product innovations as a showcase: a high-grade conference program revolving around event technology and event management ensures it is the most important venue for basic and advanced training. With the ‘Theater and Film Colloquium’, this year’s show offered a series of events aimed specifically at visitors from the fields of theater technology and equipment. For this target group, Prolight+Sound offered a new product section – Stagery – which attracted numerous new exhibitors and visitors to Frankfurt and thus expanded the spectrum of segments and themes covered.
New concept from 2016
Messe Frankfurt presented a new concept for the two shows during Musikmesse and Prolight+Sound 2015. To come into effect next year, the concept orients both events more towards the needs of the musical instrument and entertainment industry. “The new concept focuses equally on strengthening the contact-making process between trade and industry and on the completely new contact areas between manufacturers and consumers”, explained Detlef Braun.
To this end, Musikmesse will open its doors to consumers with music-style specific exhibition halls on all days. At the same time, there will be an exclusive business hall open to trade visitors only, which will give them and exhibitors more room and contact space for undisturbed business discussions.
All in all, the Germans once again spent more money on musical instruments in 2014. Nevertheless, the sector continues to be confronted by major challenges. The associations lament the downward spiral in active music making. Apart from the lack of music lessons at many schools, the reasons include changed leisure habits in this digital age. Therefore, Musikmesse aims to place more emphasis on trying out and discovering new trends by opening its doors to private visitors on all day Friday and Saturday. Moreover, it is expanding its program of entertainment and offering more stages and a comprehensive spectrum of concerts, autograph sessions and workshops in the exhibition halls.
“With an even higher event factor, the show will become more than ever before an occasion that lives and breathes music. In this way, we want to promote and strengthen the fascination and passion for musical instruments, and give visitors of all age groups the chance to discover and give expression to their talents”, says Detlef Braun.
To implement the new concept, Musikmesse will move to the western section of Frankfurt Show and Exhibition Center next year and occupy more than 95,000 square meters of indoor, outdoor and conference space. Thus, in its new location comprising Halls 8, 9.0, 9.1, 11.0, 11.1, the Galleria and Portalhaus, as well as the adjoining outdoor areas, Musikmesse will remain as big as ever.
At Prolight+Sound, numerous product extensions in recent years have created a potential for growth that the organizers must make space for. Accordingly, Prolight+Sound 2016 will move to the eastern section of Frankfurt Show and Exhibition Center next year and occupy Halls 1, 3, 4 and 5, as well as the Congress Center and outdoor exhibition areas.
To strengthen the new consumer components of Musikmesse and the trade-visitor focus of Prolight+Sound, as well as to retain the important synergistic effects of both events, the sequences of days on which the two shows are held will change from 2016.
The next Prolight+Sound will be held from April 5-8, 2016 (not clashing with the NAB 2016 show in Las Vegas). The next Musikmesse will take place from April 7-10, 2016.
www.messefrankfurt.com
www.musikmesse.com
www.prolight-sound.com
