Musikmesse and Prolight + Sound 2015 begin with 2,257 exhibitors from 57 countries

contents

europe

Frankfurt am Main will set the tone for the next four days: Musikmesse and Prolight + Sound present all the latest products from the worlds of musical instruments and event technology. A total of 2, 257 exhibitors from 57 countries (2014: 2,216 exhibitors) have signed up to show their products and services to an audience of music lovers, musicians, professionals from the event business, retailers and distributors. With two full days for private visitors and a programme of events bigger than ever before, Musikmesse underscores its commitment to promoting active music making. Prolight + Sound has also expanded its spectrum on the occasion of its 20th anniversary.

While Musikmesse has remained stable in terms of exhibitor numbers despite a volatile market, Prolight + Sound reflects the buoyant mood of its sector and has set a new exhibitor record. "The ups and downs of companies in the musical-instrument sector represent a distinct contrast to the booming event-technology industry. We aim to take individual account of the opportunities and challenges of these sectors and develop the two events accordingly", says Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt.

Musikmesse with new product segments and stable exhibitor numbers
Despite the continuing process of consolidation in the market, the number of companies exhibiting at this year's Musikmesse remains at last year's level. 1,329 companies (2014: 1,3181) from all parts of the world of musical instruments, sheet music, music production and marketing are showing their products and services at Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre. 69 percent of the exhibitors are from outside Germany – altogether, the companies taking part come from 51 different countries. Thus, Musikmesse can confirm its outstanding position as the most international trade fair for the sector. Both EU countries and non-European nations are well represented. After Germany, the top exhibitor nations are the USA, China, Italy, Great Britain, Spain, France and the Netherlands.

All in all, the Germans once again spent more money on musical instruments in 2014. Nevertheless, the sector continues to be confronted by major challenges. The associations lament the downward spiral in active music making. Apart from the lack of music lessons at many schools, the reasons include changed leisure habits in this digital age. Therefore, Musikmesse aims to place more emphasis on trying out and discovering new trends by opening its doors to private visitors on all day Friday and Saturday. Moreover, it is expanding its programme of entertainment and offering more stages and a comprehensive spectrum of concerts, autograph sessions and workshops in the exhibition halls.

Four days of stars, events and entertainment
The stars and big names at the fair come from all parts of the music spectrum, from classic, via pop and dance, to rock and heavy metal. The famous names include artists as diverse as piano virtuoso Lang Lang, Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi, then pop-rock idols of Luxuslärm, members of the Donots band, 'Schlager' singer Guildo Horn and trance DJ Armin von Buuren. A special highlight at Musikmesse 2015 is 'In the Eye of the Rock'n'Roll Hurricane' by and with star photographer Neal Preston. The exhibition presents authentic insights into the life and suffering on and behind the stage and gives visitors the chance to immerse themselves in 45 years of rock history. On the Friday of the fair, the Exhibition Centre will continue to reverberate even after the Musikmesse has closed its doors for the day when 'FridayNight@Agora' presents a jam-packed programme with four high-grade bands including Protocol II, an all-star project by Toto drummer Simon Phillips, and the jazz-fusion trio Dirty Loops from Sweden.
In view of the challenges facing the sector today, Musikmesse is giving particular emphasis to promoting the interest of young people in music making. On the one hand, the additional full public day makes it easier for schools to organise a group visit. On the other hand, the programme of events includes numerous items designed to awaken and consolidate interest in making music. Thus, the Music4Kids participatory exhibition sends young visitors on a musical journey of discovery with extraordinary instruments, sound experiments and sound installations. Under trained supervision, children and young people can explore the world of sound, try out instruments and take their first musical steps. The finale of the 'SchoolJam' competition is aimed at 'older' young people and brings together young talents to compete for the title of 'Germany's best school band'. Moreover, Musikmesse is also the setting for the presentation of the European School Music Award, which honours exemplary work in the field of music teaching.
"With an even higher event factor, the fair will become more than ever before an occasion that lives and breathes music. In this way, we want to promote and strengthen the fascination and passion for musical instruments, and give visitors of all age groups the chance to discover and give expression to their talents", says Detlef Braun.
But that's not all. Musikmesse also aims to further underpin its position as the world's foremost B2B platform. Accordingly, it is introducing a special B2B area for manufacturers, retailers and distributors where – well away from the hustle and bustle of the fair – they can conduct business discussions in a professional atmosphere. Moreover, the fair offers an exclusive programme of benefits for European retailers, which will make it even more attractive for this target group.

Prolight + Sound: growth reflects the positive trend in the sector
While the musical-instrument sector cannot take full advantage of the positive climate of consumption prevailing today, the situation is completely different in the event-technology industry, which is profiting from the ever-increasing demand for spectacular productions, technological progress and the constantly changing legal background that calls for a continuous stream of new solutions. This trend is also reflected by the upwards trend in exhibitor numbers at Prolight + Sound. This year, 928 companies are showing their products and services (2014: 898 exhibitors[2]), a new record on the occasion of its 20th anniversary. The exhibitors once again include all key players from the fields of lighting, sound and stage technology, audio-visual media technology and systems integration. Prolight + Sound is also characterised by a high level of internationality: 61 percent of the exhibitors come from 41 foreign countries – after Germany, the best represented nations are China, Great Britain, the USA, the Netherlands, Taiwan, Spain and France.
Prolight + Sound is expanding not only quantitatively but also in terms of the spectrum covered. Thus, for the first time this year, there is a special thematic focal point for theatre technology and equipment with numerous exhibitors from this segment taking part in Prolight + Sound for the first time. Additionally, the fair is offering special arrangement for trade visitors from this segment, e.g., the Theatre and Film Colloquium, which answers questions relating to the subjects of theatre technology, stage design and costume design. Improvements have also been made to the conference programme and networking events.

The most important meeting place for the entire music and event-technology industry
Thanks to their comprehensive product portfolios, Musikmesse and Prolight + Sound cover the entire value chain in the music and event sector – from sheet music to festival PA systems. Thus, the two fairs generate valuable synergies, promote the interdisciplinary exchange of ideas and information and make Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre the foremost meeting place for the entire creative business. On four days full of highlights, Musikmesse and Prolight + Sound create important impulses for business, training and specialist qualifications – and awaken a yearning for music and events.

write your comments about the article :: © 2015 Exhibition News :: home page