The next Prolight + Sound in Frankfurt will be held for the 20th time from 15 to 18 April 2015. The anniversary edition of the most important international trade fair for events, installation and production will be distinguished by a multifarious spectrum of products and technologies, an extensive complementary programme of events and presentation ceremonies for many renowned awards. The large number of registrations already received, the many returnees and the numerous first-time exhibitors taking part in 2015 underscore the great significance of Prolight + Sound for the sector. The companies that have registered for the trade fair include Adam Hall, Avid, B&K Braun, Clay Paky, d&b Audiotechnik, DiGiCo, DTS, L-Acoustics, Lawo AG, MA Lighting, Martin Professional, Meyer Sound, Riedel, Robe and SGM. In 2015, Prolight + Sound will have a special thematic focal point for the theatre world and welcome numerous new companies from this field. Among the companies representing the theatre and stage technology sector at Prolight + Sound 2015 will be Alfa System sas, Bühnenbau Schnakenberg, Bütec, ChainMaster Bühnentechnik, Chemtrol División Teatro, ETC, Gerriets, Maquinas Iberica and Quinette Gallay.
Product segments and halls occupied
The exhibition halls occupied remain unchanged in comparison to 2014. Exhibitors from the audio and sound-systems sector make their presentations in Hall 8.0 while visitors will find everything relating to lighting and stage technology, as well as trusses, display and video systems, in Hall 9.0. Exhibitors from Asia are represented by a broad portfolio of products, stretching from lighting and sound systems to stages, trusses and network systems, in Hall 9.1. New products and innovations from the world of lasers and effects, show and stage lighting, as well as contract installations and trusses, can be seen in action in Hall 11.0. The Event Plaza Conference will be held in the ‘Portalhaus’ building while associations and publishers make their presentations in Galleria 0 and Galleria 1.
Prolight + Sound Conference
Information, training, specialist qualifications: Prolight + Sound Conference bundles the numerous lectures and presentations held within the framework of the fair. The conference speakers pass on expert knowledge, as well as give practical advice, offer insights into the sector and explain the latest technological trends. The conference is split into four main sections: Media Systems puts the spotlight on systems integration and AV-media technology. The Prolight + Sound Forum looks at new developments and areas of application in the field of event technology and promotes an interdisciplinary exchange of ideas and information. The VDT Academy is an information event organised by the Association of German Sound Engineers (Verband Deutscher Tonmeister – VDT) for the professional audio sector. Additionally, the Theatre and Film Colloquium will form a separate section of the Prolight + Sound Conference for the theatre, stage and film technology sector in 2015.
Eventplaza Conference and exhibition
Another part of the comprehensive educational programme held at the fair is the three-day Eventplaza Conference, at which renowned speakers with great practical experience discuss the latest trends and strategies, as well as new ideas and impulses for the event sector. The programme is aimed primarily at event and incentive managers, marketing, communication and human-resources executives, as well as congress and conference organisers. For the first time, each of the three days will have its own focal point. Thus, the Wednesday (15 April 2015) will be devoted to event safety when the International Event Safety Conference (I-ESC) tackles the subject of ‘Assuming and transferring responsibility’. The focus on Thursday (16 April 2015) is on products and events. The speakers on the third day of the conference (17 April 2015) will concentrate on personnel developments in the event sector. The new Networking Lounge represents a great opportunity not only to exchange ideas and information but also to make new business contacts. The Eventplaza Conference will be held in the ‘Portalhaus’, located to the south of Hall 11.0. Naturally, visitors from the event sector will also find everything they need for successful events in the exhibition halls – an overview of this product segment can be found in the ‘Eventplaza Quickfinder’ brochure and via a special-interest filter in the online exhibitor search engine. www.eventplaza-conference.com
Comprehensive spectrum for the theatre-technology field
Prolight + Sound has expanded its range of exhibits and services for trade visitors from the theatre technology and planning segments with a new thematic focal point – ‘Stagery’ – and expects to welcome numerous new exhibitors from this field. Thus, with the Theatre and Film Colloquium, there will be an extensive programme of seminars for the sector coupled with a special customer programme offering many exclusive benefits for theatre planners. From stage lighting, trusses, rigging and hoisting equipment to curtain systems, show textiles and seating – products and services for the theatre industry will be listed clearly in a special brochure, the ‘Stagery Quickfinder’ and via a special-interest section of the online exhibitor search engine, to ensure that trade visitors can orientate themselves even more easily.
Systems integration and audio-visual media technology
Optimum interaction of professional audio, video and communication technology: the thematic focus on ‘Media Systems’ at Prolight + Sound depicts the rapidly growing market for systems integration and audio-visual media technology. All exhibitors are listed in the ‘Media Systems Quickfinder’ brochure and in the online search. In addition, there will be numerous lectures and presentations for visitors from this field at the Prolight + Sound Conference.
Studio technology and broadcasting
The coming Prolight + Sound will once again be held concurrently with Musikmesse – and give both exhibitors and visitors the opportunity to exploit the synergies between the two sectors to the full. Overlaps between the two fairs are to be found primarily in the fields of studio and broadcasting technology where the boundaries between professional and consumer products are becoming increasingly blurred. This product segment ranges from specialist hardware and software, via microphones, editing desks and cameras, to room-acoustic solutions, and is to be found in the exhibition halls of both Prolight + Sound and Musikmesse. Thanks to the ‘Broadcast Production Recording Quickfinder’, visitors will have a quick and complete overview of all exhibitors from this segment.
Outdoor exhibition area
Prolight + Sound not only presents event technology in the form of static exhibits, it also shows them in action under realistic conditions – something that visitors can experience at hardly any other fair. At the Live Sound Arena and the Concert Sound Arena, manufacturers demonstrate small and large PA systems up to and including complex line-array systems. The outdoor exhibition area also includes an Open Air Showroom for mobile stages and tent systems, as well as for big portable displays.
Awards ceremonies
At Prolight + Sound, ‘Opus – German Stage Award’ is given for outstanding achievements in the field of stage productions while the Sinus – Systems Integration Award’ honours the creative use of audio-visual media technology and systems integration in complex projects. Additionally, a host of international trade journalists meet in Frankfurt to present the Prolight + Sound International Press Award (PIPA) for the best products in the professional audio and video industry.
Partners
Prolight + Sound is supported by numerous partners and associations, including the Professional Lighting & Sound Association of Germany (Verband für Licht-, Ton- und Veranstaltungstechnik – VPLT), the European Association of Event Centers (Europäischer Verband der Veranstaltungs-Centren – EVVC), the German Theatre Technology Association (Deutsche Theatertechnische Gesellschaft – DTHG), the Association of German Sound Engineers (Verband Deutscher Tonmeister – VDT) and the Society of Theatre Costume Specialists (Gesellschaft der Theaterkostümschaffenden e.V.) and the Federation of Film Makers’ Associations (Bundesvereinigung der Filmschaffenden-Verbände e.V.).
898 exhibitors presented their innovations and new products at Prolight + Sound 2014. With 42,267 visitors, the fair was a magnet for the entire sector.
Tickets for Prolight + Sound are also valid for Musikmesse. Visitors can purchase their admission tickets quickly and easily at the online ticket shop and print them out there and then, which not only saves time on arrival at the fair but also entitles the holder to use local public-transport services operated by the RMV public-transport authority free of charge. www.prolight-sound.com/online-ticket
Admission prices Prolight + Sound 2015 – Trade visitors
Day ticket (on arrival) € 45.00
Day ticket (in advance) € 29.00
Season ticket (on arrival) € 69.00
Season ticket (in advance) € 46.00
Reduced-price day ticket (for trainees, on arrival) € 15.00
Hours of opening of Prolight + Sound 2015:
From 15 to 18 April 2015 09.00 to 18.00 hrs
info: www.prolight-sound.com