Sponsored by Prolight + Sound

Prolight + Sound is back in Frankfurt for 2024, and it's bigger, better, and greener than ever before!

The Prolight + Sound sign welcomes you! Photo credit: Jochen Guenther


Welcome back to Frankfurt


Close up of a console on display at Prolight + Sound. Photo credit: Mathias Kutt
For almost three decades, Prolight + Sound - Europe's largest trade fair for lighting and sound in the event industry and the most comprehensive international offering in the field of theatre and stage technology - has been at the heart of the industry. It's at the same time an international community gathering, characterised by an informal atmosphere and a melting pot that brings together creative minds from all areas of event technology.

With new and expanded areas, a top-class programme and major community events, Prolight + Sound 2024 will serve as a catalyst for new collaborations and innovative solutions to the live audio, lighting and event challenges of today. In this article we're taking a look at some of the highlights of the upcoming show which is running from the 19th to the 22nd of March in Frankfurt am Main, Germany).


A lively mix of glitz, glamour and business

A live performance in progress - Prolight + Sound is all about the show! Photo credit: Pietro Sutera
This year, Prolight + Sound will focus even more strongly on its unique combination of networking and entertainment. Theatre & event technology professionals will be offered the best in professional development events categorised into an interest-oriented structure: "Advance Your Knowledge", "Elevate Your Entertainment & Experience" and "Discover The Exhibition" classify a range of educational offers, innovative products, live performances and much more.


Advance Your Knowledge: keynotes, conferences, careers and more

The Main Stage in Hall 11.0 is a central point of contact, where world-renowned speakers will present exciting talks on industry-relevant topics every day. Visitors can look forward to keynotes by, among others:

Tuesday, 19 March 2024:
• Stefan Weil: CCO of Atelier Markgraph with "Music makes the people"
• Geneviève Cleary: Award-winning creative director on "The Power of Sound"

Wednesday, 20 March 2024:
• Gregor Tresher & Edgar Dirksen: on their careers, being a producer, running a label and much more.

Thursday, 21 March 2024:
• HOLOPLOT (Michael Kastner, Head of Product): about the groundbreaking audio system X1 Matrix Array, developed for SPHERE in Las Vegas
• William Ellis & Prof Tim Wall: talk about their "What is your One LP?" project
• Christopher Matthews, Levi Jack Sibthorpe, Jan Detavernier: about the realisation of climate-friendly events

Friday, 22 March 2024:
• Prof Stefan Luppold & Patrick Haag: about "Success factors for events"

Click here for the complete keynote programme!


Never stop learning

Excitingly, the education programme is also being expanded this year. Under the banner of "Prolight + Sound College", three colleges will be offering comprehensive further training opportunities: The ProAudio College (in cooperation with the VDT - Association of German Sound Engineers), Camera College (in cooperation with the BVFK - Federal Association of Television Camera Operators) and the VPLT College. The VPLT College provides important information and tips on key event technology topics, including sound level measurement and best practices for network technologies in the event industry.

Participants will receive written confirmation of the knowledge they have acquired. The lectures will be held partly in German and partly in English.

In addition, the Prolight + Sound Conference (in cooperation with the VPLT - Association for Media and Event Technology), the I-ESC (International Event Safety Conference), the Manufacturers' Forum and the VPLT Experience Zone invite you to attend specialist lectures, talks and presentations on current hot industry topics.


Performance metrics

The Performance + Production Hub will be bigger and more spectacular than ever before: the innovative DJing & Production area will be expanded to 3000 square meters and will combine informal learning opportunities, hands-on product experience and of course, entertainment!

An array of exciting new pro audio products & solutions will be presented at the Performance + Production Hub - among them the Ableton Push 3, and the highly anticipated FGDP Controller by Yamaha – with Prolight + Sound 2024 being one of the first events to showcase the FGDP.


The Performance + Production Hub will showcase pro audio products and solutions. Photo credit: Mathias Kutt


In the newly created 100 square meter Live Box, internationally renowned artists, including the award-winning DJ Emanuel Satie, guitarist Yasi Hofer (of the Helene Fischer Band and others) - and many more - will provide emotionally charged performances throughout the show.

We're also excited to discover something that we haven't seen previously at Prolight shows - the Image Creation Hub is a completely new moving image area. Created in collaboration with the BVFK (German Association of Television Cinematographers), it offers workshops, panel discussions and daily talks on exciting topics in motion picture capture. In a unique exhibition, visitors can also experience the latest products and technical innovations from renowned manufacturers, including aiconix, Beyond Frames, Birds Camera Solutions GmbH, blackcam, Canon EMEA, Dedo Weigert Film GmbH, Faderlux, machen & tun Medienproduktion und -Dienstleistungen GmbH, Pensionskasse, RA Tobias Sommer, r-t-s.tv, SIGMA (Deutschland) GmbH, Sony, SUMOLIGHT GmbH, TELTEC AG, video-machinery GmbH and VRFF Die Mediengewerkschaft BG Freie.


Today's youth are tomorrow's experts

Prolight + Sound 2024 places a special focus on the promotion of young talent and the topic of recruitment. The Future Hub (Hall 11.0) is the central contact point for the professionals of today and tomorrow. It consists of the Campus (educational institutions presenting specialised courses of study), the Career Center (a meeting place for companies with vacancies to chat with professionals seeking work), the Start-up Area (presentations by young, innovative companies) and the Networking Lounge (relaxing & networking in a more casual urban garden setting).

Checking out a live console at Prolight + Sound. Image credit: Pietro Sutera
This year's Future Talents Day (22 March 2024) is being organised by the VPLT (Association for Media and Event Technology) in cooperation with the BDKV (Federal Association of the Concert and Event Industry) and EVVC (European Association of Event Centres). The format is aimed specifically at school pupils, trainees and students and is intended to actively support them in their entry into professional life. With exclusive guided tours and interactive workshops, it will give upcoming young talents an exciting insight into the various professional fields in the industry.


It's not easy being green, but we try!

The topic of sustainability will also be further promoted at an upcoming event. "Green Sessions", in cooperation with the EVVC (European Association of Event Centres) and "Green Tours" will provide information on notably sustainable technologies and new product innovations. The Future Hub will be redesigned using resource-saving materials and will be powered by green electricity.


Elevate Your Entertainment & Experience: ProAudio news, Community Nights and more

Prolight + Sound 2024 will also shine with new attractions in the extensively expanded ProAudio area. In the Audio Bar, visitors can try out high-quality headphones from well-known brands such as AIAIAI, Beyerdynamic, Audio-Technica, Ollo Audio, Tascam, HEDD, Rode and Pioneer in a chilled-out atmosphere. In the brand new Immersive Audio Dome, innovative immersive sound systems will be presented in an impressive and accurate setting. Further details will be announced shortly - bookmark the website below for updates.


Prolight + Sound combines product showcases and entertainment in a unique way. Photo credit: Jochen Guenther

Live aid

In the Live Sound Arena, as in previous years, sound systems will be demonstrated under realistic conditions. On the Silent Stage, realised in cooperation with InEar, the sound of a live band can be experienced via headphones and integrated sound technology solutions can be tested directly on-site.


A sense of community

The community events have a new concept this year. For the first time, Prolight + Sound events are inviting participants to three large community nights in exclusive locations in the Frankfurt city centre, including the Champions Bar in the Marriott Hotel and the NEUE KAISER. The presentation of the Opus and Sinus Awards will be transformed into a glamorous gala dinner at the Steigenberger Icon Frankfurter Hof (21 March).

A series of exhibitor parties and shows also promise a unique mix of entertainment and product experience.


Discover the exhibition: the world of event technology under one roof

As the leading trade fair for the entertainment technology sector, Prolight + Sound offers visitors the entire range of event technology: from the most comprehensive international range of theatre and stage technology (ProStage) to Europe's largest platform for lighting technology in the event sector (ProLight) and the most spectacular innovations in professional audio (ProAudio) and AV technology (ProAV). Innovative solutions for the event sector will also be presented (ProEvent).


Sounds great. I have questions.

Who will be exhibiting at Prolight + Sound? Which products will be on show? Where can I find the respective stands in the halls?

These questions and more are answered by the interactive Prolight + Sound Contactor. It offers visitors a wide range of options for perfectly planning their visit to the trade fair. The contact details of exhibitors can also be found there to arrange appointments in advance during the trade fair. Users can also create watch lists, which are also available "to go" in the Prolight + Sound Navigator app.


Access to knowledge and innovation included

All the lectures, workshops, product demos and the PLS Community Nights are free of charge for visitors with a valid ticket.


Would you like to get in for free?

The Prolight + Sound team is constantly working to improve the show - and your opinion is particularly important. They would be delighted if you would take part in a short online survey – and as a thank you, will gift a complimentary voucher code for full entry to Prolight + Sound 2024.


Scan this QR code or click the image to earn free access to Prolight + Sound 2024

For more information about Prolight + Sound, please visit https://pls.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/en.html.

Press information, photographic material and accreditation: https://pls.messefrankfurt.com/frankfurt/en/press.html - if you have an existing Messe Frankfurt login, you can use that, or email [email protected] for more info.

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