Staged every four years, Showlight is an international symposium organised by and for professionals working in all areas of lighting and the visual arts including video and projections, stage and set design.
Open to all, from the most experienced practitioners to the most enthusiastic aspirants across all sectors of the performing arts and entertainment industries, the four-day colloquium is supported by an exhibition and a full social programme for networking.
A diverse range of individuals attend Showlight. It is a forum for discussion, debate and exchange of knowledge and ideas, as well as an opportunity for approximately 400 guests to see a selection of the latest technology available. Companies taking up the exhibition opportunities at Showlight will each have the same amount of shell-scheme space available.
Delegates can also enjoy an entertaining social programme, the highlight of which is the Showlight Conference Dinner, to be held in a marquee in the magnificent Castle Gardens.
?eský Krumlov is also an important cultural centre, hosting a number of festivals and other events throughout the year, including the International Music Festival and Open Air Krumlov, bringing the latest blues, rock, and soul sounds to the city.
Two other locations and sponsorship packages were vying to win the Showlight 2013 nomination, which involved visits and assessments by the 20-strong UK-based Showlight Committee, presided over by Ian Dow, a BBC lighting professional for 35 years.
Ian Dow comments, "We wanted a venue that inspires our visitors and speakers to join us, and that can also cater for all the social elements, with plenty of interesting places for the visits programme and good restaurants, etc. We visited three potential locations, and ?eský Krumlov has everything we need. Both Robe and the local tourist office have been extremely helpful."
Says Robe's marketing & communications manager Jiri Baros, "We are very proud that the Czech Republic was chosen as the host country for Showlight 2013. CZ has a great history and tradition for innovation in the world of lighting and visuals, especially in cinema, film and theatre. We will be delighted to welcome visitors from worldwide working in these and other associated fields and offer the chance to exchange thoughts, knowledge and information."
As May 2013 approaches, the Showlight Committee and Robe will be working in conjunction with a number of Czech lighting professionals from the worlds of film, TV, live events and installations, etc., together with students from all the relevant disciplines, to ensure that Showlight 2013 is "a must-do experience on the industry calendar".
(Jim Evans)
