As the curtain fell on Prolight + Sound Guangzhou 2019 (PLSG), show organisers announced a new record of 1,353 exhibitors who flocked to the annual event from 25 countries and regions, along with 81,154 professional visitors (7% up) from the entire professional lighting, audio, event management, stage design, system integration and AV technology industry chain.

Combined with an overall exhibition area of over 130,000 sqm, this marked the largest ever edition of PLSG to date.

Ms Judy Cheung, Deputy General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, was delighted with the turnout this year: “PLSG is committed to supporting the industry’s development by offering a first-class business and information exchange platform for the entertainment sector. We wanted our exhibitor showcase and fringe events to cover every corner of the industry’s needs, and to echo the growing trends in media technologies and system integration. We’re proud to be able to capture so many opportunities all under one roof.”

Much to the delight of participants, many key pro audio and lighting brands could be found across all of the halls this year, including Adamson, AKG, Antari, APG, Art Sound, Asystems, Audinate, Audio-technica, Beta Three, Beyma, BIK, BMB, Boray, Bosch, Bose, Broad Future, Celestion, Charming, DAS, Colour Imagination, CD-Stage, d&b Audiotechnik, db Technologies, DMT, Eagle, EM Acoustics, Ezpro, Faitalpro, Fane, FBT, Fidek, Fine Art, Funktion-one, Gonsin, Haimei, Harman International, Hivi, HTDZ, IAG, ITC, Klotz, Konig & Meyer, Kvant, Laserworld, Lavoce, Lewitt, Longjoin, Mascot, Meyer Sound, Mipro, Mode, Montarbo, Nan Yi, Nexo, Nightsun, Pangolin, PCI, Phoenix, Plustruss, Polarlights, QSC, Rainbow, RCF, Redx, Ruisheng, SAE, SE Audiotechnik, Sennheiser, Seikaku, Showven, Shure, Soundking, ST Audio, Star-net, SWS, Taiden, Takstar, Tendzone, Thunderstone, TOA, Top Plot, TW Audio, Viashow, Vue Audiotechnik, Yamaha, Yes-tech and more.

Hai Xiang, Area Manager, Beijing Tricolor Technology Co Ltd (Communication and Conference Hall Exhibitor) noted, “Right now, the key digitalisation trends of the media systems industry involve more intelligent technology, more AI, and more integrated management systems, which all can be seen here at PLSG.”

“We’re promoting our ‘Apollo’ and ‘CrossMedia’ audio and visual monitoring systems in the Communication and Conference Hall of PLSG, which can be applied for security surveillance. The show has such a strong influence in the industry and every year, there are more exhibitors joining which is testament to the organisers. It also helps us learn from our industry peers to continue improving and developing our products in line with the trends.”

The success of the fair and its increased global brand representation were clearly reflected on the show floor.

The event served as an opportunity for brands to showcase their latest innovations to the region for the first time in 2019, many of which have been specifically catered to the Chinese market.

The show’s display areas were presented under a new arrangement this year too, with the ‘Media Systems and Solutions’ and ‘Communication and Conference’ halls under the show’s Audio Brand Name halls receiving high praise.

Eli Wu, System Designer, Shenzhen Ezpro Sound and Light Technology Co Ltd (Chinese Buyer) said,  “This is my fourth time to visit PLSG and I’m looking for some audio and lighting related solutions for my company. The fair accommodates both large and small scale exhibitors from local and overseas, and allows visitors to find a wide range of products. It definitely caters to buyers’ needs comprehensively. I’ve met lots of high quality suppliers at the fair, and their products are useful and provide a perfect user experience at the same time. The fair not only allows us to learn the industry latest trends through its well-rounded fringe programme events, but also acts as an important meeting point for the industry.”

The event’s popularity this year can be attributed to its extensive cooperation with local and overseas industry associations, leading companies and professional media. Each contributed by inviting a number of high quality buyer groups and organising well-attended fringe events.

A total of 11 domestic and international visitor groups attended the fair, and local industry media HC360 hosted a product presentation for over 1,000 professional buyers. Elsewhere, increased internationalism was also reflected in the show’s premium buyer groups, some of which came from the China Association of Recording Engineers, the Guangdong Association of Stage Art, the Zhejiang Province Stage and Audio Institute and Entertainment Equipment Industry Technology Association (EEITA) from Taiwan.

Yosef Levy, Owner, RST Audio Equipment Ltd (Overseas Buyer) added, “I’m here at the show to source new audio equipment and technology from the Asian market, so I can develop my own business in Tel Aviv, Israel. I’ve noticed there are a lot of brands here who are working on integrated solutions and providing systems of international quality. It’s also been very busy, which means there are a lot of opportunities for me to chat with industry peers from all around the world, as well as many domestic and international audio brands. I’d like to follow up my time at the show by placing some orders, and I may meet with my new contacts again at the Shanghai show later this year.”

In terms of the PLSG fringe programme this year, both attendees and speakers emphasised how each event offered valuable information exchange, networking and educational and training opportunities which added an extra dimension to the show’s offerings. Digital audio networks in particular were heavily discussed, including through a sold out panel discussion on AVIT and how artificial intelligence (AI) solutions can influence the market, as well as the returning Dante Certification courses.

Elsewhere, one of the most popular concurrent activities was the series of four Outdoor Line Arrays, which welcomed 41 international and domestic brands and a double-string display, which was ever-busy thanks to the favourable weather conditions.

Meanwhile, the first interactive multimedia display in PLSG, the Lighting and Art Space, was extremely well attended with lots of professional visitors and industry new force across the entertainment, media creative and stage design sectors.

The area was established to showcase new media technologies associated with 3D mapping, stage machinery, lighting installation, new media art, stage tech innovations and more. Developed in cooperation with Chinese media giant Visual Jockey, the area featured a total of 18 professional visual and display companies and brands, including Epson, Hecoos, Music Trick Lighting, X Color and more demonstrating their latest projection and display systems, and was bustling with intrigued visitors throughout the show.

The 2020 edition of Prolight + Sound Guangzhou will be held from 19 – 22 February 2020 at Area A and B of the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou, China.

Other shows under the Prolight + Sound brand include:

• Prolight + Sound (2 – 5 April 2019, Frankfurt)
• Prolight + Sound NAMM Russia (12 – 14 September 2019, Moscow)
• Prolight + Sound Shanghai (10 – 13 October 2019, Shanghai)
• Prolight + Sound Middle East (15 – 17 October 2019, Dubai)

Prolight + Sound Guangzhou is organised by Messe Frankfurt and the Guangdong International Science and Technology Exhibition Company (STE). For more details about the show, visit www.prolightsound-guangzhou.com or email plsgz@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com.