PL+S 2020: Latest on exhibitor cancellations
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Companies including Adamson, Allen & Heath, d&b audiotechnik, Robe Lighting, ETC and High End Systems and L-Acoustics have formally withdrawn from the trade event due to scheduling conflicts or health concerns.
The annual Frankfurt-based tradeshow was set to take place at the end of March but was pushed back to 26-29 May due to the coronavirus outbreak. The new dates have however prompted exhibitors to reassess their plans for the fair.
d&b audiotechnik announced its withdrawal in a tweet, stating: “With the announcement of Prolight+Sound moving to May, we have decided we are unable to participate due to the logistics of the new date, including quality of experience for partners and customers. Apologies for any disappointment, we will reassess for next year.”
In a joint statement, Nils-Peter Keller, senior director Pro Audio & AV Group, Yamaha Music Europe, and Nexo CEO Jean Mullor said: “As two of the leading brands in the professional audio industry, many staff and customers of both companies will be gearing up for the busy outdoor festival season during the show’s revised dates at the end of May. Therefore, it is with regret that we have now decided not to exhibit at Prolight+Sound 2020.”
Also announcing its decision on Twitter, Allen & Heath stated: "With Prolight+Sound 2020 having moved to new dates, we’ve made the reluctant decision not to attend this year’s show as unfortunately the new schedule just doesn't work for our teams."
L-Acoustics was another major name to withdraw from the fair, announcing that "the proposed dates do not allow us to ensure a quality experience for our clients, partners and visitors." "We wish the Prolight team the very best and will communicate soon about upcoming events and meeting opportunities," the company added.
Martin Audio also confirmed on the social network that it has cancelled its participation, stating that the company will focus on welcoming clients to its open days, to be held on 17-19 March at its HQ in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.
Meanwhile, ETC and High End Systems confirmed that they too have cancelled their participation at PL+S. as well as the upcoming USITT Stage Expo, taking place on on 2-4 April in Houston, Texas. A statement reads: "ETC and High End Systems have decided to withdraw from the USITT Stage Expo & Prolight+Sound. We will still conduct USITT training classes & speaker sessions as planned."
Other lighting companies to withdraw from the event were Germany's Adam Hall and JB Lighting as well as Vari-Lite & Strand, who recently reinforced their decision not to exhibit this year having already pulled out of PL+S in February.
On Monday, 9 March, two more exhibitors pulled out of the fair: Adamson Systems Engineering and ionage GmbH, the German team behind lighting control solutions Madrix. "Unfortunately, we cannot participate in Prolight+Sound this year", comments Madrix sales manager, Christian Hertel. "This was not an easy decision for us at all. We have been exhibiting at the show every single year since 2005 and had really been looking forward to it. It is an absolute highlight each year for our entire team and all of our customers, partners, and distributors. Due to the show's recent postponement by Messe Frankfurt, we are running into scheduling conflicts and thus cannot attend anymore."
Marc Bertrand, CEO of Adamson Systems Engineering, comments: “We didn’t come to this decision lightly, but ultimately, we had to do what we felt was best for our Adamson Network partners and end-users, as well as our employees. We wish organisers and participants the best for 2020 and look forward to returning in 2021.”
Further cancellations followed on 10 March, Tuesday, when Roe Visual, Robe Lighting, Robert Juliat and CLF Lighting pulled out.
For the latest information, see our updated story.
(Jim Evans)
