Over the past 25 years, the entertainment technology industry has been gathering at the annual Prolight + Sound tradeshow and conference in Germany to share new technologies, do business, and most importantly, develop the close relationships that define the industry. This year was no different, with 90 000 visitors from 152 countries making their way to the Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre to attend both Musikmesse and Prolight + Sound 2018. Pro-Systems Africa News had the privilege of attending the show, held in Frankfurt, Germany between 11 and 14 April.
The halls at the Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre offered exhibitors a platform to launch products and introduce new technologies to a global audience. Many of the world’s leading entertainment technology manufacturers launched new products as well ass improvements and expansions to their existing ranges at the show, across all disciplines. While almost every product launched offered something unique, introducing digital, sustainable technology to the entertainment industry remains a driving force behind many of the new products on the market.
The complimentary programme of events, which aims to create a platform for business, education and engagement across disciplines and between leading innovators in the industry, has been expanded. This year, the programme offered more than 1000 events at the Exhibition Centre. According to group show director, Michael Biwer, who spoke with Pro-Systems in an interview, the newly launched Immersive Technology Forum was a highlight for many in the industry and represents the future of entertainment technology. “Immersive technology has been identified as a driving trend in the industry, which motivated us to create a platform for those involved with the development of the technology to come together to discuss their ideas. The immersive forum is all about 360 filming, holographics, 3D audio and how to create a virtual reality, and many of our exhibitors featured these technologies on their stands in various forms.”
Heige Leinemann, Chairman of the Board of the Professional Lighting and Sound Association of Germany (VPLT), echoed the sentiments of many visitors to the show. “Together with the broad spectrum of exhibitors, workshops, lectures and professional development facilities, the international quality of the fair makes Prolight +Sound an unrivalled networking platform.”
Wile out on the showroom floor, the Pro-Systems News editorial team met up with an impressive number of South Africans. When asked about all the highlight of the show, everybody responded that the opportunity to meet up with clients, colleagues and friends remains the most important and priceless aspect of the show experience.
The sheer size and scale of Prolight + Sound make it impossible to include all of the manufacturers, both big and small, that have launched potentially game-changing technology for the entertainment industry. In the following pages, we have tried to provide a very brief overview of some of the products launched at the show. If you or any of your colleagues encounter a product that you feel would be well suited to the South African market but has been omitted, please contact the editor, at editor@pro-systems.co.za so that we can use the opportunity to cover your product of choice in future editions.
