Reflection on Progress: Prolight + Sound 2025 Review
In its 30th anniversary edition, Prolight + Sound 2025 showcased the innovative, international, and forward-thinking nature of the event industry. Over 23,000 trade visitors from 108 countries, 491 exhibitors, and more than 580 program items gathered at Frankfurt's exhibition center to celebrate the transformation of the industry.
The four-day event showcased a wide range of solutions, with a particular emphasis on practical and sustainable products. These products ranged from intelligent lighting systems and automated camera technology to smart audio and control solutions. The demand for sustainable solutions was high, especially in the areas of lighting and sound technology. More than half of the trade visitors held significant decision-making or purchasing authority, and over a third were international guests.
Europe was the largest source of trade visitors, with strong representation from France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands. Eastern European countries, such as Poland, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, and Romania, also had a notable presence. Asia, particularly China, Japan, India, and South Korea, showed high demand for event technology and AV solutions for high-growth markets. Guests from Australia and New Zealand used the fair as a platform for international networking, and the Middle East and Latin America were also well-represented.
Three main topics dominated the event: ProGreen, FutureScapes, and MultiTech. ProGreen focused on sustainable concepts for the event industry, showcasing energy-efficient technologies, resource-saving materials, and new methods for reducing CO2. FutureScapes explored immersive experiences and the use of artificial intelligence, demonstrating how digital tools open up new creative possibilities. MultiTech presented smart, flexible solutions for a wide range of event formats, including modular lighting and audio solutions, automated tracking and control systems, and multifunctional media stations.
Wolfgang Marzin, Chairman of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt, commended the event, saying, "Prolight + Sound 2025 demonstrated the industry's innovative strength. From sustainable events to AI-supported technologies and flexible technical solutions, exhibitors showed how the event and entertainment industry is responding to the current economic situation. Germany is one of the industry's most important markets, and Frankfurt offers ideal conditions for the global exchange of ideas within the industry."
Prolight + Sound 2025 also offered a comprehensive training program, with more than 200 speakers sharing their expertise on stages, in forums, and in three specially designed colleges: the ProAudio College, Theatre College, and Camera College. The new Knowledge Forum platform added practical sessions on technology trends, market analysis, and management topics to the program. The Green Sessions of the EVVC - European Association of Event Centres - provided important impetus for sustainable event design.
The fair particularly addressed professionals from the music business, with formats such as MusicOneX, the MIXCON x BVD DJ- & Producer Conference, and the practical MixLab. Three exclusive evening events, the PLS Community Nights, also promoted personal exchange between exhibitors, trade visitors, associations, and the media. The highlight was the anniversary celebration "30 Years of PLS" at the Frankfurt venue Depot 1899, which featured a live performance by Wolfgang Fluér, founding member of Kraftwerk, as well as the final of the German DMC Championships.
The renowned industry prizes were also presented in a new form at the anniversary edition, with strong winners in each category. The Opus - International Stage Award expanded its scope, and new categories, such as Event Lighting, Immersive Sound, and Camera & Image, were introduced. The Opus was awarded to the Berlin-based creative agency flora&faunavisions for their visionary opera production "The Ring Cycle," a daring, AI-supported immersive interpretation of Wagner's "Ring of the Nibelung."
The Opus Immersive Sound Award went to British artist Christo Squier for his installation "Visitor," a unique sound experience created by translating cosmic muons into light and sound in real-time. The Opus Event Lighting Award was given to the lighting design of the "Heaven & Dirt" show, which set new standards in the field of creative lighting design. The Opus Camera & Image category honored the Bundesliga broadcasts by Sportcast, which established new standards in live sports production with innovative camera work and high-quality imagery.
The Sinus - Systems Integration Award, presented in a revised format, went to the Open Ground Club in Wuppertal, which impressed with its holistic AV concept, including a Funktion-One sound system, sustainable building technology, AI-supported control, and a flexible lighting and media system. The newly introduced special "Sinus AVantgarde for Innovations" prize was awarded to recognize particularly forward-looking projects in AV integration.
The festive awards ceremony took place on April 10, 2025, at the Steigenberger Icon Frankfurter Hof and was one of the highlights of the trade fair week. Prolight + Sound 2025 reflected the transformation of the event industry, with themes of sustainability, immersive experiences, and cutting-edge technology at the forefront. As Germany remains one of the industry's most important markets, Frankfurt offers ideal conditions for the global exchange of ideas within the industry. Prolight + Sound 2026 will take place from March 24 to 27, 2026, at Messe Frankfurt, providing another opportunity for the event sector to gather and showcase its future innovation.
At the Prolight + Sound 2025 event, various technology-centered exhibits captured the attention of attendees, particularly in the areas of intelligent lighting systems, automated camera technology, smart audio solutions, and control systems. The event underscored the industry's emphasis on practical and sustainable technological advancements in the face of growing eco-consciousness.
Furthermore, the demand for event technology and AV solutions was high, especially from countries like China, Japan, India, South Korea, and EU member states such as France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands, highlighting the global significance of these technologies in the event sector.
