Retailers, professionals, musicians and music lovers: all will be coming to Frankfurt in the next few days for this year’s Musikmesse (5 to 8 April 2017) and Prolight + Sound (4 to 7 April 2017). The international trade fairs show product innovations that make the world ring with music – and turn an event into a spectacular happening. In addition to the products of 1,922 exhibitors[1] from 55 countries, Musikmesse and Prolight + Sound are characterised by an extensive complementary programme of events with concerts, workshops, lectures and autograph sessions aimed at all target groups represented. Moreover, the 2nd Musikmesse Festival with concerts by national and international bands and artists is being held throughout Frankfurt concurrently with the two fairs.
“This year’s Musikmesse and Prolight + Sound are characterised by new formats and themes. In times of digital change and ongoing market consolidation, we are setting new accents regarding content and target groups. Musikmesse will continue to promote active music making. However, it will also integrate subjects such as music teaching and music therapy and thus take another step from a musical-instrument fair to a music fair. At Prolight + Sound, the focus is on the opportunities offered by digital technologies in all product segments”, says Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt.
The live entertainment industry continues to boom. Moreover, the market for events in a business context is also developing well. And the need for investments in modern event and media technology, as is to be seen at Prolight + Sound, is climbing together with the increasing demand for events and high expectations of a spectacular production. Despite the trend towards market consolidation in this sector, too, the indicators continue to point in a positive direction.
Prolight + Sound has also expanded its thematic spectrum this year to include, for example, Faces Behind The Voices, a multi-media exhibition on Germany’s best-known dubbing actors. The new Silent Stage area offers tips for improved sound and invites Musikmesse visitors to see the technology for themselves – as does the DJCon disc-jockey area. With over 70 expert lectures, Prolight + Sound helps professionals to keep up-to-date with the latest developments in the sector. On Future Talents Day, which is being held on Tuesday, the focus is on young newcomers to the sector. In lectures, university and vocational-school students can find out more about career scenarios in the event industry.
The six exhibition halls of Prolight + Sound bring the creative potential of the sector to life. The spectrum ranges from impressive laser, fire and water effects, via 3D projection, to automatically controlled micro-drones, which will give spectacular demonstrations of in-flight choreography. Key players from all parts of the event-technology industry are showing their latest products and innovations – altogether, 950 companies are exhibiting at Prolight + Sound 2017.
Following a change in the sequence of days at Musikmesse, which this year runs from Wednesday to Saturday, the two trade fairs will open their doors concurrently on three days and thus reinforce the synergies between them. Musikmesse visitors can attend Prolight + Sound on all overlapping days – and vice versa.