"We are delighted to see Showlight off to such a flying start," says Showlight chairman John Allen. "It's hardly surprising as Showlight is a unique, cross-industry showcase and networking opportunity which offers the chance to spend quality time with designers, manufacturers, practitioners and fellow enthusiasts - many of whom fit into all categories."
Those already signed up to join main sponsor, Clay Paky, at Florence's Palazzo dei Congressi are: AC Entertainment Technologies, Ambersphere, Arri, Avolites, Canara Lighting, Coemar, Chauvet, d3 Technologies, DTS, ETC, GDS, GLP, Hawthorns, HSL, Lee Filters, LSC, MA Lighting, RC4, Robe, Robert Juliat, Tait Stage Technologies and White Light.
Showlight centres around its conference programme, with support from its compact and efficient tradeshow which takes place between speaker sessions. The stands close for the duration of the sessions to allow exhibitors to listen to the speakers, and to take full advantage of everything this unique colloquium has to offer.
Showlight presents a focused, international audience from a broad spectrum of disciplines from theatre, television, film, concert, event and architectural lighting. High profile designers rub alongside lighting students in series of social events and networking opportunities that happen around the main speaker programme and tradeshow. These include receptions, the Gala Dinner and a number of half-day visits to places of cultural interest.
Exhibitors also host their own company dinner, with guests selected from the delegates, and sponsor one of 40 lighting students who will work with them throughout the four days. Early birds also have further sponsorship opportunities! Contact Jane Cockburn for details janecockburn33@gmail.com
The exhibition space is kept small and intimate, and the stands themselves are all the same size, so only a few sample products and the personality of the exhibitor are required! This facilitates much closer personal contact with end users, specifiers and designers than your average tradeshow, with more opportunity for discussion, feedback and an exchange of ideas. It also puts minimal strain on an exhibitor's budget and their busy tradeshow calendar. With a total of 400 delegates, Showlight represents the ideal opportunity to present your products on a one-to-one basis to the most prominent international personalities from our industries.
Mark White from ETC Ltd agrees, "ETC has exhibited and taken part in each Showlight since 2001. We have always found the conversations fascinating, the presentations really interesting, and the people who attend knowledgeable and easy to talk to. If your passion is light and lighting, Showlight is for you."
Exhibitor places are limited to 40 in total and allocated on a first come, first served basis.
The Showlight Committee is deep into the process of selecting a rich programme of speakers for next year. But it's not too late to submit a paper for consideration. Send a brief outline of your idea before 1 June 2016 to papers@showlight.org
(Jim Evans)
