Following the huge success of Showlight 2001 in Edinburgh, Scotland, plans are already underway to ensure that Showlight 2005, scheduled May 21-24, 2005, in Munich, Germany, will be better than ever.
The social side of Showlight is an equally important aspect giving delegates a chance to network. The 2001 conference dinner ended with a Scottish pipe band marching in the moonlight at Hopetoun House.
Taking place once every four years, Showlight is a three-day event organized by lighting professionals for lighting professionals. The colloquium, unlike other trade shows, places emphasis on debate stimulated by papers from respected industry experts and provides a gathering ground for like-minded people. Showlight 2001 proved to be the most successful show yet, with 42 sponsors and more than three hundred delegates from the world of entertainment lighting in attendance.
John Watt, chairman of Showlight’s organizing committee, explains: "Showlight 2005 is being held at the magnificent Prinzregententheater in Munich. Their patronage and that of the associated Bayerische Theaterakademie plus the enthusiasm of the students there, make this the venue of choice for us. Students from the Theaterakademie who attended the Edinburgh event explained to us how invaluable the three days had been for them, both in terms of what they had learnt and the opportunity given to network with professionals in the industry. It’s always great to receive such positive feedback, but to be offered the chance to host the next show at such a great venue is fantastic. Munich is also home to a number of lighting companies including ARRI and transtechnik Lichtsysteme which is now part of ETC, who have generously provided the ‘seed’ money to ensure the continuation of Showlight."
Martemaria Scheunemann, who runs the theatre lighting courses at the Bayerische Theaterakademie, has joined the Showlight committee and will help organize the German elements both before and during the 2005 show. As the event was filled to capacity in 2001, anyone interested in attending or exhibiting at Showlight in 2005 is encouraged to sign up as soon as possible. For more information, or to register your interest, simply contact Sheila Bartholomew on +44 (0) 1323 418 400 or email [email protected].