prolight and sound

Discover, Learn, and Elevate: Prolight + Sound starting March 19 to March 22, 2024

Photo credit: Messe Frankfurt

Prolight + Sound is a global entertainment technology show for light, audio, stage, media, and events. Prolight + Sound 2024 will focus strongly on networking and entertainment. The event will take place in Frankfurt am Main, Germany from March 19 to March 22, 2024.

Visitors will have the chance to experience the latest innovations in professional lighting technology, and professional audio technology as well as products of the key players in stage machinery, control, automation, and stage equipment.

The key themes of Prolight + Sounds are “Discover the Exhibition”, “Advance your Knowledge”, and “Elevate your Entertainment & Experience”.

Discover the Exhibition will focus on discovering different trends and professionally experiencing new technologies. ProLight, for example, is the first call for visitors interested in professional lighting technology. In addition to lighting technology, projectors, spotlights, and lighting-control systems. The complementary program of events at Prolight + Sound offers insights into trending subjects, such as intelligent light controls, digital transmission protocols, pixel and voxel mapping, and energy-efficient lighting. Additionally, ProStage will reveal more about the technical trades of the live entertainment industry. Key players in the fields of stage machinery, stage control, stage automation, and stage equipment will be presenting their products, as well as companies in the lighting and sound segment offering specialized theatre solutions. 

Advance your Knowledge revolves around keynotes, conferences, and careers. The focus of the lecture program of ProAudio College is on current trends in the sound reinforcement scene, innovations around home studio productions, and exclusive training modules. Topics of the ProAudio College include hearing training, physical basics of acoustics, signal sources and signal processing, network technology, and intercom systems. Those interested in jobs will be able to visit the career center to connect directly with companies with open positions to fill. In 2023, key players like Disney Cruises, Europa-Park, GAHRENS + BATTERMANN, D&B Audiotechnik, and many others took the opportunity to recruit new talent.

Elevate your Entertainment & Experience promises a lively mix of glamour and business. Visitors can look forward to a keynote program, captivating live performances, exclusive community evenings, and award ceremonies. One of the events that could happen is the Silent Stage. Its focus is on minimizing the noise level on stage. This effect is achieved by using amp simulations, isolation boxes, drum cages, and electronic musical instruments. The stage performers hear each other exclusively through in-ears and an individually adapted headphone mix. The Silent Stage will be implemented for the entire duration of the trade fair with three slots daily at 12:00, 14:00, and 16:00 hrs, on the last day of the trade fair only 12:00 and 14:00 hrs and a 30-minute programme in each case.

Moreover, important awards of the event industry will be presented in festive evening events during Prolight + Sound. The Opus – German Stage Award 2024 honors two projects that address people as individuals in very different ways: The Grand Show “FALLING | IN LOVE” at Friedrichstadt-Palast, the winner of the “Opus – German Stage Award 2024” stages the story of a deaf poet in search of love as a breathtaking, innovative play of colours – curated and visually designed by designer icon Jean Paul Gaultier. The special “Opus AVantgarde” prize goes to the Ensemble Modern at the Cresc Biennale 2023, which uses a walk-in sound body to focus on the individual in relation to the community. The award ceremony will take place on 21 March in the festive setting of a gala event at Prolight + Sound (by invitation only).

Amongst the keynote speakers are Michael Kastner, Emanuel Satie, Stefan Weil, and Yasi Hofer.