Prolight + Sound 2026 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Prolight + Sound 2026 is not just another trade fair. It’s the pulse of the global events industry—where the technologies shaping tomorrow’s shows are born. Here, you won’t see generic “equipment” on display. Instead, you’ll witness the future of the stage: sound you can almost touch, light that breathes, and AI systems that anticipate a show’s rhythm before the first cue.

It’s the world’s only platform where three worlds converge: technology, creativity, and sustainability—all grounded in real-world challenges. How do you make a show louder yet quieter for the planet? How do you integrate innovation without risking a last-minute failure? How do you turn a stage into a living organism?

Who absolutely must not miss Prolight + Sound 2026

This isn’t a “show for engineers only.” It’s a space where diverse professions meet—and find common ground:

• System integrators and rental companies—to be among the first to test next-gen solutions under real-world load.
• Technical directors of theaters, concert halls, and stadiums—to upgrade infrastructure with energy efficiency and digital interoperability in mind.
• Lighting and sound designers, scenographers—here, they don’t just select gear; they seek collaborators to bring bold, even “impossible” ideas to life.
• Festival and large-scale show producers—to see, up close, how systems behind events like Coachella or Eurovision actually work.
• Architects and fixed-installation designers—the ‘Theatre & Installation’ zone is purpose-built for long-term, mission-critical projects.
• Startups in immersive tech and green event solutions—through the ‘Startup Hub,’ they can pitch directly to global distributors and investors.

See how it sounds, shines, and breathes

No video can fully capture the scale—but it delivers the first hit of rhythm. The official Prolight + Sound trailer isn’t just footage; it’s four non-stop days of energy, compressed into 120 seconds.

30 years on stage: a story written in innovation

The very first Prolight + Sound took place in 1995—back then, 180 exhibitors gathered in Frankfurt to showcase how the industry had evolved beyond the analog era. Since then, Prolight + Sound has become:

• 2002—launch of the dedicated ‘Light’ zone, sparking deeper engagement from architectural studios.
• 2010—integration of ‘Stage & Rigging,’ cementing the show’s role for safety managers and suspension-system engineers.
• 2018—debut of ‘FutureLab,’ where real-time AR stage prototyping was shown for the first time.
• 2025—the milestone 30th edition. The program goes beyond exhibition: three evening “Community Nights” feature live performances, panel discussions, and setups by top-tier production houses.

Today, Prolight + Sound boasts a record-breaking international presence (75%+ exhibitors) and 100% coverage of all event-tech segments — under one roof.

Why Prolight + Sound sets new benchmarks for engagement

Numbers tell only part of the story. The real advantage lies in contact quality and content depth:

• Over 300 000 m² of exhibition space—and every zone is functional: from open-air drone test fields to soundproofed cabins for critical audio demos.
• More than 1,100 exhibitors from 50+ countries—including niche developers who don’t appear anywhere else.
• Over 76 000 visitors—with 68% holding purchasing or technical decision-making authority.
• Over 200 sessions and workshops across 4 days—all open-access, with no “paywalled VIP zones.”

Key players at Prolight + Sound 2026 worth watching

• TAIT Technologies (USA/UK)
  Leaders in automated stages and kinetic architecture. This year, they unveil "TAIT Navigator 5.0"—a motion-control system with predictive analytics. Dave Weatherhead’s session on the Theatre Stage is a must for production managers.
• Ayrton Lighting (France)
  Their fixtures define “characterful ”light”—from opera houses to rap battles. In 2025, the spotlight is on theatrical lighting: new LED projectors with color stability down to 0.001 Δu’v’ and built-in thermal sensors for 24/7 operation.
• igus GmbH (Germany)
  Masters of frictionless motion. They present the "e-loop system"—the world’s first all-plastic cable management solution for stage rigging: 40% lighter, maintenance-free, and rated for 10 million cycles.
• Anouk Wipprecht (Netherlands / international project)
  Fashion-tech designer whose garments respond to sound and light. In 2025, she leads two sessions—"Women in Technical Professions" and "Multitech & Robotics"—and debuts a collaboration with a German bio-interface startup.
• Adam Hall Group / Cameo (Germany)
  Under the Cameo brand, they’re revolutionizing theatrical lighting: the "P6 Series" features LED projectors with up to 120° beam angles and integrated wireless DMX. Stefan Zernicke’s talk reveals how this transforms heritage theatre retrofits.
• Woodroffe Bassett Design (UK)
  Patrick Woodroffe’s studio is legendary in lighting design (U2, Adele, Olympics). In 2025, he delivers a provocative keynote, "The Politics of Failure"—on turning on-site breakdowns into show-strengthening assets.

Pro tips from veterans: how to stay afloat and walk away with value

Many arrive “just to have a ”look”—and leave with two business cards. Here’s how to do it differently:

• Join the Prolight + Sound 2026 WhatsApp broadcast—where last-minute schedule updates, impromptu demo announcements, and free coffee locations drop in real time. Find the QR code in the app or at Hall 3.0 entrance.
• Attend Community Nights—these aren’t “after-parties.” They’re extensions of the show: live case studies, open-air demo zones, and relaxed networking. Especially on 8 April: Uwe Schamuel’s talk on AI in live staging is worth staying an extra hour for.
• Look for the “ProGreen” logo—this isn’t greenwashing. These are verified solutions: recycled housings and energy-recovery systems. You can even receive a carbon impact certificate for your next project here.
• Book a demo at the Theatre Stage—not a lecture hall, but a working mini-theatre with real rigging. See how gear performs not on a shelf, but in near-operational conditions.
• Apply for the Hosted Buyer Programme—if you hold purchasing authority, Messe Frankfurt covers travel & accommodation. Applications open 3–4 months ahead; spots are limited.

What you’ll see: categories shaping the future of live experience

The layout mirrors real-world workflows—not just equipment types:

• Sound & Audio—from studio monitoring to massive line arrays, including spatial audio, AI-assisted mixing, and noise control for urban venues.
• Light & LED—light as a medium: pixel mapping, biophilic lighting, and fixtures with thermal/humidity feedback.
• Stage & Rigging—automated hoists, temporary structures, safety systems, and BIM-compatible design tools.
• Media & Event Technology—projection mapping, next-gen LED canvases, drone shows, XR integration, and real-time content management.
• Theatre & Installation—solutions for permanent venues: theaters, museums, and theme parks. Focus: reliability, serviceability, and energy performance.
• ProGreen & MultiTech—cross-category zones: sustainable materials, alternative power, and modular and reusable systems.

How to become part of Prolight + Sound 2026

Participation starts with an application on the Messe Frankfurt website—but it doesn’t end with a signed contract. It culminates the moment your visitors step up to your stand. The difference between “just another vendor” and “the partner everyone queues for” lies in how you tell your story in space.

That’s where ESBAU—the Expo Stand Builders team—steps in. We specialize in technically demanding, high-tech shows like Prolight + Sound 2026. We don’t build “cookie-cutter booths.” Every custom exhibition stand we create is a tailored narrative: engineers want to see mechanics, designers crave emotion, and management needs ROI—all in one space.

Why Prolight + Sound 2026 exhibitors choose us:

• Deep knowledge of Messe Frankfurt regulations—from floor-loading limits to grounding requirements for high-power setups. No last-minute installation stoppages.
• Turnkey demo integration—sound-isolated booths, suspended rigging points for light tests, and 32A/3-phase power—all built seamlessly into the stand, no external “hacks” required.
• Sustainability without compromise—recycled aluminum profiles, motion-sensor LED lighting, and modular components designed for reuse across multiple shows.

Pre-show consultations for Prolight + Sound 2026 participants are already open—including 3D visualization and logistics planning. Because a great stand isn’t a cost. It’s your stage—at Europe’s leading event-technology gathering.