UpLight Technologies used Pulse Panel FX fixtures from Elation Professional as a key component of the lighting design for the inaugural season of the Pro Cheer League (January 16–March 27), delivering dynamic visual effects for the league’s national broadcast on ION Television.
Positioned around the LED video wall as part of a broader lighting design, 16 Pulse Panel FX units acted as a central visual element of the set, adding movement, depth and energy to the environment.
UpLight Technologies, a boutique-style event production company based in Nashville, offers everything from equipment rental and custom installations to full event design and production. The company joined the Elation dealer network in December after president and owner David Surbrook connected with Lee Carpenter of Luxsonix Group and demoed products including Pulse Panel FX, Pulse Bar and Paragon M.
 |
 |
The Pulse Panel fixtures helped us create a lot of animation and dynamism without distracting from the athletes. Their flexibility made it easy to adapt looks in real time for a live broadcast, says Surbrook, who also serves as production designer at UpLight Technologies.
Equipped with arrays of RGB and cool-white LEDs, and designed for direct-view applications such as broadcast, the Pulse Panel FX provided a versatile solution to reinforce team branding and highlight key moments in the live competition.
The customizable zone control opens up a wide range of design possibilities, while built-in macros simplify programming and effect creation. The speed, direction, color and size of the effect can all be adjusted, and with continuous 360° pan/spin and 180° tilt, the fixture delivers an additional level of dynamism.
 |
 |
They have some of the best macros on the market, but they also allow us to do detailed pixel mapping. That flexibility is key when designing distinct looks for different teams and moments, adds Surbrook.
The Pro Cheer League launched in 2026 as the first professional platform for athletes to continue cheerleading beyond high school and college. Teams compete in five events across cities in the U.S., and the inaugural season reached over 5 million viewers, setting a new benchmark for the sport. The Pro Cheer League has been renewed for a second season, with plans to expand to 6 teams and 10 events nationwide, and will once again air on ION Television.
Photo credits: Pro Cheer League and UpLight Technologies
