Unveil the secrets and trends lighting up the path in the entertainment industry in a revealing interview with Mira Wölfel, CEO of Prolight + Sound. From behind the scenes to center stage, we delve into how this innovative leader is shaping the future of sound, light, and technology in live events.
Prolight + Sound stands out as the main fair in the event technology and entertainment industry. What is the distinctive element, the "X-Factor," that makes it unique and cannot be found anywhere else?
At our core, we are a true community get-together, a global family and melting pot, bringing together creative minds from all corners of the event technology world. What makes Prolight + Sound unique is that we are not only providing a platform for the international sector, we are part of the community ourselves. Always at the pulse of time, covering topics that move the industry, with a clear focus on the needs and interests of event technology professionals.
In various statements, you mention the importance of sustainability awareness, networking, creativity, and promoting young talent at Prolight + Sound. How do these values specifically manifest in the structure and activities of the fair?
Our main brand colour is blue, but our heart is green! With the support of the EVVC (European Association of event Centres), the “Green Sessions” will consist of lectures, panels and best practices on the responsible use of natural resources in the event industry. At our moderated Green Tours, experts will present new products and technologies that are particularly sustainable.
Our Future Hub in Hall 11 will combine sustainability, promoting young talent and networking in a unique way: It’s constructed from resource-efficient materials, powered by green energy and includes a Networking Lounge in the style of an Urban Garden. As the central contact point for young talents, it also includes a Campus, Start-up Area and a Career Center, which is one of the largest live platforms for job offers in the event sector throughout Europe.
I believe that the love and passion for our industry should be ignited at a very young age – that’s our mission, our goal. And it’s the reason the Future Talents Day (22 March) at Prolight + Sound is specifically aimed at pupils, students and trainees. With interactive workshops and guided tours we want to show them the many career opportunities in the event industry and actively connect them with companies.
At Prolight + Sound 2023, there were about 1.600 event professionals seeking new jobs, making the fair a great place for firms looking for qualified personnel. Many companies exhibit at Prolight + Sound primarily for recruiting purposes, including big enterprises in the entertainment business such as Europa Park and Disney Cruises.”
Renowned companies like Adamson, Robe, AV Stumpfl, L-Acoustics, Astera... have already confirmed their participation for 2024. What would you highlight about the quality and diversity of participants in the fair?
For 29 years, Prolight + Sound has been and continues to be the place where the international event technology family meets. Here, you have industry key players from all event technology sectors under one roof, but also exciting and promising start-ups. A lot of renowned brands have been at Prolight + Sound for many years, which speaks to the loyalty of our cherished participants. Additionally, the upcoming show will see many first-time exhibitors and well-known returners, for example RCF. So, diversity, quality and growth will be essential factors at Prolight + Sound 2024.
Prolight + Sound encompasses a wide range of technological innovations spanning concert stages, theaters, clubs, museums, and theme parks. How does this fair promote collaboration and knowledge exchange among professionals from diverse sectors?
As the leading trade show for the entertainment & event industry, we don‘t see entertainment and collaboration as an added plus, but as a must! Based on that, we expanded the networking opportunities for the upcoming show, for example with our new PLS Community Nights (see Question 8). Additionally, the Networking Lounge at our Future Hub will be an ideal place for young and seasoned professionals from different sectors to connect and exchange ideas in a relaxed Urban Garden setting.
The growing integration of artificial intelligence in lighting technology is a highlight for 2024. How are these AI-based innovations transforming the ability to adapt lighting designs in real-time at Prolight + Sound, creating immersive and unique experiences for the audience?
The creation of immersive experiences for the audience is where event technology is heading in general – from lighting to sound to high-tech motion seats and much more. We are very excited to see how AI-based innovations will transform our lighting exhibitor’s showcases at Prolight + Sound 2024. A lot of the details are still being kept secret. As Europe's largest trade fair for lighting in the event industry, key players from nearly 40 countries will show their newest products, so there will definitely be a lot to explore and experience!
The vibrant world of theatrical and scenic technology will significantly stand out at Prolight + Sound, where substantial growth in the application of augmented reality and virtual reality is being experienced. How are these innovative technologies expanding the creative horizons for set designers and visual effects, and how do they influence the narrative and immersion in contemporary theatrical productions?
The incredible nominations we received this year for our ‘OPUS – German Stage Award’ showed: A lot of modern theatrical productions are using innovative digital technology to expand the possibilities of the stage setting. It’s not limited to VR and AR solutions – from the integration of hologram technology to Moving LED Walls, there are almost no creative boundaries. The essence of this trend is that the viewer is not feeling like an external observer and is immersed in a virtual environment instead, while beginning to perceive it as a real world.
The second edition of the ProAudio College – a four-day advanced training program for audio professionals – will be larger, more versatile, more international, and with an even broader program. What are the main novelties that will be addressed, and how is this update expected to benefit the field of sound reinforcement and studio productions?
The ProAudio College, in cooperation with VDT (Association of German Sound Engineers), will be expanded and internationalised, with bilingual lectures in German and English. The focus of the lecture programme will be on current trends in the sound reinforcement scene, innovations around home studio productions as well as exclusive training modules. All participants will receive written confirmation of the knowledge they have acquired.
With the significant expansion of the bilingual support program at Prolight + Sound 2024, the PLS Community Nights will be held for the first time, offering a unique networking experience. What are the highlights of these events, and how is it anticipated that they will elevate attendee participation over three nights in Frankfurt?
All participants of the fair will be invited to these new PLS Community Nights, major networking events on three after-fair evenings at exclusive locations in Frankfurt City. By guiding our visitors to some of the most special places in Frankfurt, we want to create a relaxed feel-good atmosphere, where they can stay all night, connect with other professionals, have a drink, listen to music and enjoy our beautiful city. As of now, around 300 participants are expected each evening.
As the director of Prolight + Sound, what is the vision driving the fair, and how has it stood out and will continue to stand out as a leading event in the entertainment technology industry?
In these challenging times, mutual support and collaboration within the event technology industry is more important than ever. We recognize this cooperative spirit and aim to position Prolight + Sound as the main international catalyst for new alliances and innovative solutions in the sector. Prolight + Sound also stands for combining high-calibre entertainment and elevated networking opportunities in a unique way.
With the 2024 show, we are looking forward to take our visitors on a bright, emotional and inspiring journey. In a nutshell: Glitz and glamour meet business in one of Europe’s most modern metropolises!
