How to resolve AdBlock issue? Highlights of Prolight + Sound 2025
Picture: Robin Kirchner
Eagerly awaited and packed with industry trends, innovations and practical know-how: from 8 to 11 April 2025, Prolight + Sound will be the international meeting place for event technology professionals and young talents. With new formats and sector-relevant key topics, the trade fair will build bridges between a passion for technology, creativity and networking – and for four days will turn Frankfurt into a hotspot for a dynamic and changing industry. From the potential of AI-based technologies to interactive learning opportunities and sustainable event solutions – for its 30th anniversary, Prolight + Sound is offering a high-calibre event programme that inspires, informs and connects.
Numerous key players will be presenting their latest products at the upcoming show, including Adam Hall, ADJ, AED Rent, Area Four Industries, Artthea, ASM, Astera, Aura Audio, AV Stumpfl, Ayrton, Babbel & Haeger with various sales brands, Chainmaster, Chauvet, Chr.Mayr, Clay Paky, ComputerWorks, DAS Audio, dBTechnologies, Elation, Electro-Voice, ETC, Eurotruss, GLP, Harmonic Design, Highlite, HK Audio (Music & Sales Professional Equipment GmbH), Igus, Inear, Inoage, JB-Lighting, Kling & Freitag, KV2, Lightpower, LMP, MA Lighting, MAGIC FX, Martin Professional, Minuite Une, Mipro, Music & Lights, Music & Sales, Novastar, Pixelhue, Portman, RCF, Riedel, Robe, Robert Juliat, Roxx, SBS, SGM Lighting, Shenzhen Lamp, SRV, Steinigke, TAIT, TMB, Tronios, TW Audio, Unilumin, Vari-Lite, VisionTwo, Waagner-Biro, Wharfdale Pro and Zactrack.
In the open-air area in front of Hall 11, the public can experience professional sound-reinforcement systems in the Live Sound Arena under realistic conditions. Manufacturers such as Amate Audio, audio zenit, Aura Audio, CELTO Acoustique SRL, DAS Audio, Harmonic Design, HK Audio, KV2 Audio, RCF, TW Audio, Voice-Acoustic and Wharfedale Pro will be demonstrating their latest PA systems there. At the Silent Stage in Hall 11.0, the company ‘InEar’ will be demonstrating its innovative monitoring solutions in a live setting, supported by the event band P.A.C.E.
One of the new attractions is MusicOneX, a further development of the Performance + Production Hub. In collaboration with the Sample Music Festival, the interdisciplinary platform offers numerous opportunities to explore the connection between music, technology and creativity on 3,000 m² – including courses from the SAE Institute and the Production Island with its own pop-up studio. Here, participants can experience first-hand how music technology influences various areas of the event and entertainment industry. The special area will also feature more than 50 brands, including Ableton, Dreamtonics, Focusrite, JICO, Kurzweil, Native Instruments, Pioneer DJ, RØDE, Serato, Steinigke, TASCAM, Technics, Yamaha and many more.
The ‘MIXCON x BVD present DJ- & Producer Conference’ is a hotspot for the DJ and music scene, created in cooperation with MIXCON Germany and the German Disc Jockey Association (BVD), which brings together the most important players in the industry. The focus is on networking, business, current trends and sharing ideas. In talks and panels – including on social media & music marketing, music utilisation & remuneration, hearing protection and future festivals – well-known names such as DJ Olde, Lovra, Le Shuuk, Mark Dekoda and Tom Wax will be offering their expertise and fresh perspectives. The MixLab is also new. This interactive special area combines the areas of live sound and studio. Technology enthusiasts can take part in practical workshops and interactive demos here, as well as try out the latest mixing desk technology – including top brands such as Allen & Heath, APB Dynasonics, TASCAM and Yamaha.
A special highlight for sound enthusiasts is the Vintage Concert Audio Show. This special exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the history of PA systems – from analogue beginnings to the introduction of transistors and the integration of modern control technologies. The format also features talks by renowned experts and unique audio samples of selected vintage PA items.
Picture: Pietro Sutera
As the leading trade fair for theatre and stage technology in Europe, Prolight + Sound will present a newly designed and expanded theatre and stage technology area this year. It combines exhibition, education, knowledge transfer and networking. Visitors can expect an inspiring platform for exchanging ideas with experts – as well as a comprehensive range of innovative products and services. The new Theatre Stage is at its centre. The Theatre College by VPLT takes place there – as well as the Theatre Talk, where manufacturers from other sectors present their products to a specialist theatre audience. The Networking Area, with daily events and happy hours, creates an ideal setting for networking in a relaxed atmosphere. The demands placed on event productions are constantly increasing, and with them the need for in-depth expertise. With the expanded Knowledge Hub, Prolight + Sound is creating a central point of contact for knowledge transfer and further training.
Centre and focal point is the Main Stage in Hall 11.0. There, among other things, a high-calibre keynote programme awaits the audience, in which national and international experts will be providing forward-looking impulses on industry-relevant topics – including the influence of artificial intelligence on the event sector, the design of immersive experiences and sustainable event concepts. The latter are also on the agenda of the EVVC's Green Sessions. In lectures and panels with experts, current developments and new approaches for a more sustainable event industry will be discussed.
The three Prolight + Sound Colleges are also part of the Knowledge Hub. These include the Camera College (in cooperation with the BVFK - German Federal Association of Television Cameramen), the ProAudio College (in cooperation with the VDT - Association of German Sound Engineers) and the Theatre College (together with the VPLT - German Entertainment Technology Association). Every day, practical content on modern technologies will be taught in bilingual, free-of-charge specialist seminars. Participants will receive written confirmation of the knowledge acquired.
The Knowledge Forum (Portalhaus, C level, Prisma room) will celebrate its debut in 2025. On two days of the fair (Tuesday, 8 April and Thursday, 10 April), the brand-new format will offer free bilingual lectures with practical knowledge, new ideas from young, creative industry leaders and exciting perspectives on current sector topics. On 9 April, international experts will discuss current issues in event security at the I-ESC (International Event Safety + Security Conference) – organised by VPLT – and discuss these with the audience. Among other things, the topics covered will include mobile video surveillance, risk management and the requirements of temporary structures for event technology. After the successful premiere of the Image Creation Hub last year and the extremely positive response, the format will be further expanded in 2025 – and become an even more attractive hotspot for camera professionals, video technicians and creatives in the moving image industry. The area is being realised again in cooperation with the BVFK.
The Image Creation Hub will now cover an area of around 740 m² and bring together product highlights from renowned exhibitors, important industry associations and an enhanced range of educational opportunities. With expert-led hands-on workshops, live demonstrations and panels on current industry topics such as artificial intelligence, sustainability and drone systems, the area will become a centre for practice-oriented learning and networking.
Important synergies will be created in the interplay between lighting, sound and stage technology – whether in live productions, working with drones or the holistic approach of modern image design in the entertainment industry. The area is positioning itself as a dynamic link within event technology – a place where new impulses for the cross-media production of contemporary formats are created.
The LightLab, created in collaboration with the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW), is being held for the second time. Under the title ‘Lightsources Backstage‘, experts will provide insights into the special properties of modern light sources and how to use them. They will also show how to compare, evaluate and measure light sources. The limits of modern LED technology and how to assess them using photometric data will also be covered.
The Future Hub in Hall 11.0 will be the central point of contact for today's and tomorrow's professionals. Divided into Campus, Career Center, Start-up Area and Networking Lounge, young talent and professionals will come into direct contact with companies that have vacancies, as well as educational institutions in the event sector. In addition, visitors can discover innovative solutions from young, up-and-coming brands. With over 1,000 job-seeking event professionals in 2023 and 2024, the area has established itself as an attractive platform for recruiting qualified personnel.
The Future Talents Day (11 April) will enter its fourth round in 2025. Pupils, apprentices and students will be given exciting insights into the diverse career opportunities in the event industry. In addition to lectures and workshops, a rigging quiz and the interactive azubi:web station are on the agenda. For pupils and students with a valid student ID, there will also be free hot dogs or veggie dogs. The theme day is organised by the associations of the ‘Forum Veranstaltungswirtschaft‘. Registration for Future Talents Day is still possible until 4 April 2025 – via this link.
Prolight + Sound invites the entire industry to special encounters at the PLS Community Nights. Whether you are an exhibitor or a visitor, everyone is welcome to exchange ideas and make new contacts at the three networking evenings in exclusive Frankfurt locations. The centrepiece will be the ‘30 Years of PLS’ birthday party at Depot 1899 on Wednesday (9 April / by invitation only). Special highlights for music fans include ex-Kraftwerk member Wolfgang Flür with his project ‘MusikSoldat’ (8 April) and the ‘DMC - German DJ Championships’ (10 April).
Free admission wristbands for the evenings of Tuesday and Thursday can be obtained by visitors on the respective days at the information counter (Hall 12.0, Stand C20). With a valid ticket, admission to the lectures, workshops and product demonstrations is also free of charge.