The merger of both shows will create "the largest trade fair alliance for professional event technology in the areas audio, lighting, theatre and stage, media and image production, and system integration".
"The two international market leaders will contribute their globally renowned brands to this alliance of strength," says Hans-Joachim Erbel, CEO of Reed Exhibitions Deutschland GmbH. Stephan Kurzawski, SVP of Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH, echoes this sentiment: "Industry leader meets industry leader in a move that executes the bundling of the market in just one trade fair venue so often demanded by both exhibitors and visitors. It's a change that can only benefit the entire sector." Reed Exhibitions, as one of the partners in the cooperative effort, will continue to support marketing efforts on behalf of Showtech.
Previously, both trade fairs had taken place separately in Frankfurt and Berlin - often only a few weeks apart. Showtech - with 311 exhibitors and nearly 7,500 visitors at the last edition - has traditionally focussed on stage technology and equipment. With that approach, it has been the globally leading industry show for over 30 years.
By contrast, ProLight+Sound is focussed on professional event technology for segments such as lighting, audio, and media and systems technology.
The aim is to introduce Showtech's new trade fair concept at the next ProLight+Sound, which will be held in Frankfurt from 12 to 15 March 2014. From then on, Showtech will take place in Frankfurt every year, which means the event scheduled for Berlin in 2015 will be cancelled.
(Jim Evans)
