Messe Frankfurt Hong Kong, in collaboration with VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific, has announced the launch of Prolight + Sound Bangkok, a new regional platform for the entertainment and professional audiovisual (pro AV) technology sectors.
The event is scheduled to take place from 30 September to 2 October 2026 at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC). The new fair will leverage the strategic position of the Thai capital, located at the heart of Southeast Asia, offering access to a consumer market of more than 670 million people.
The professional fair is supported by Messe Frankfurt’s global resources and expertise — through its flagship events Prolight + Sound Frankfurt and Prolight + Sound Guangzhou — along with VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific’s deep regional knowledge and solid local network.
In this way, Prolight + Sound Bangkok is positioned as a key gateway for international suppliers seeking to enter and expand within the ASEAN region, while also serving as a hub for innovation and industry growth in the area.
The growing development of Thailand’s entertainment, live events, and tourism sectors presents significant opportunities for investment in audio, lighting, stage structures, professional AV integration, and immersive installations. Moreover, the event will take advantage of Bangkok’s excellent regional connectivity. The latest expansion of the Prolight + Sound brand, first announced at a press conference during Music China on 22 October, also benefits from strong institutional and cross-industry support as one of the nine fairs that make up Messe Frankfurt’s global Event and Entertainment Technologies network.
The Event and Entertainment Technologies portfolio, which includes the Prolight + Sound trade fair brand, connects a global network of industry pioneers, manufacturers, and decision-makers. Prolight + Sound Bangkok is a natural extension of the brand into Southeast Asia, bringing our extensive resources and expertise in entertainment and pro AV technology to a region ready for transformation. Exhibitors can expect global exposure, high-level buyers, and a powerful platform for growth, said Wolfgang Marzin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Messe Frankfurt.
Prolight + Sound Bangkok will combine Messe Frankfurt’s global strength with Southeast Asia’s growing opportunities, while also serving as a launch platform for cutting-edge international brands and suppliers looking to enter this dynamic market.
Richard Li, Executive Director of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, added: “By leveraging the global innovation pipeline and brand resources of Prolight + Sound Guangzhou, a leading industry showcase, the new Bangkok fair will help drive modernization across Southeast Asia’s event industry, offering renowned brands, international exhibitors, and forward-thinking SMEs a cost-effective, high-impact entry into the region. This includes brand exposure, channel building, and business generation. We are enabling the world’s leading pro AV and entertainment players to enter ASEAN efficiently and confidently, while supporting local industry growth”.
As a two-way bridge, Messe Frankfurt will connect innovation and international brands with ASEAN demand, while VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific’s market insight will ensure smooth local partnerships and effective outcomes.
With decades of experience organizing successful exhibitions across ASEAN, VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific brings deep market knowledge, local buyer networks, and operational excellence. Bangkok is ideally positioned to host a world-class entertainment technology show, thanks to favorable government policies and strong demand in Thailand and neighboring countries. Our collaboration with Messe Frankfurt, demonstrated through projects such as Meat Pro Asia, reflects a shared commitment to creating value for exhibitors and visitors alike. Together, we aim to make Prolight + Sound Bangkok the leading hub for ASEAN’s entertainment technology ecosystem, said Justin Pau, CEO of VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific.
Tourism is a key driver of the industry, and with both business and leisure travel on the rise, Thailand’s booming tourism sector makes Bangkok the ideal location for this debut event. The city welcomed over 35 million visitors and was ranked the world’s number one tourism destination in 2024. Visa-free and visa-on-arrival policies, combined with excellent air connectivity, will make international participation convenient. In addition, Bangkok is a leading MICE destination (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), ranking seventh globally and first in ASEAN. Government initiatives such as Thailand 4.0, the Creative Economy Plan, and soft power programs are further encouraging investment in the pro AV sector.
International festivals such as Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) and Tomorrowland are set to debut in Thailand, paving the way for continued industry growth. The night economy — encompassing luxury hotels, rooftop bars, clubs, and theatres — is also investing heavily in upgrading audio and lighting systems. Landmark venues such as ICONSIAM and Phuket Carnival Magic, together with annual festivals like Songkran, highlight the growing demand for integrated audio, lighting, staging, and display solutions.
Amid this dynamic environment, Prolight + Sound Bangkok aims to become the region’s leading and most innovative pro AV and entertainment event, fostering greater business and collaboration opportunities.
To achieve this, its core product categories have been designed to meet the needs of Thailand and the broader ASEAN market, including:
- Professional audio equipment and technology
- Conference and AV systems
- Professional lighting equipment and technology
- Stage equipment and technology
- LED and display technology
- Musical instruments and related equipment
This specialized range of interconnected categories reflects the end-market demands of Southeast Asia: festivals, concerts, nightlife, hospitality, cultural attractions, and corporate AV solutions. By bringing together global brands and regional buyers, Prolight + Sound Bangkok seeks to unlock new business opportunities for the entertainment and audiovisual technology industries in a high-potential market.
