A brief history of Showlight

Discover Showlight  

Organised once every four years, Showlight is a unique event with a rich history, and a wanderlust that takes it to a different location every time. Aimed at anyone involved in the many disciplines of lighting design, each Showlight is organised entirely by volunteers, literally from the ground up – a new country, a new venue, but always the same winning formula.

The first Showlight took place in 1981 at London’s Barbican with the organising committee made up of representatives from the National Illumination Committee, the Chartered Institute of Building Services Lighting Division, The Royal Television Society, The British Kinematograph, Sound and Television Society, ABTT, The British Society of Cameramen and the STLD. Showlight became an independent organisation in 2002 since when it has visited many exciting and varied locations including New York City, Amsterdam, Ghent, Edinburgh, Munich, Glasgow, Český Krumlov and Florence, always taking time to explore its host region.

Alongside a full and varied series of presentations there are numerous coffee, lunch and tea breaks, social activities and the grand Conference Dinner, all of which afford plenty of time to network with industry friends, both old and new. 

Showlight is made possible due to the generosity of sponsors, and a new Headline Sponsor is chosen for each location. 

To see more photos from the 2017 event in Florence, Italy, please visit the Gallery page. 
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Showlight timeline:

Virtual Showlight 2021
May 2021

Showlight’s first online incarnation brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic took the spirit of Showlight direct to delegates’ homes for one day in May. Papers can be rewatched in the Showlight website press gallery. 

Showlight 2017
May 2017
Palazzo dei Congressi
Florence, Italy

Held at the Palazzo dei Congressi in Florence, Italy, Showlight 2017 included a fascinating range of papers covering the broad spectrum of the lighting industry. We also enjoyed a spectacular gala dinner in a beautiful secret garden!

Showlight 2013
May 2013
Český Krumlov Castle
Český Krumlov, Czech Republic

A fairy tale gothic castle, traffic free UNESCO Heritage town, Baroque firework display. But more than that, we all learned something new, just as we do at every Showlight event.

Showlight 2009
May 2009
BBC TV Studios
Glasgow, Scotland

The BBC’s purpose built HD TV studio and post production facility had recently opened and made a first class venue. The Monday afternoon visits programme included a distillery – naturally!

Showlight 2005
May 2005
Prinzregententheater
Munich, Germany

Two of our speakers this year came hotfoot from the Eurovision Song Contest – Per Sundin and Ola Melzig.

Showlight 2001
May 2001 
Edinburgh Festival Theatre
Edinburgh, Scotland

One of this year’s sponsors, Northern Light, organised a pipe band to play at the close of the Conference Dinner. Brilliant!

Showlight 1997
May 1997 
Flemish Opera House
Ghent, Belgium

The opening speaker this year was Jim Tetlow. He has been a regular visitor to Showlight ever since and is now a member of the organising committee.

Showlight 1993
May 1993 
National Museum of Film & Photography
Bradford, England

The social highlight of Showlight is the Conference Dinner and in 1993 this took place on Platform 9 at the National Railway Museum in York!

Showlight 1989
May 1989 
Hilversum studios of NOB
Amsterdam, Netherlands

Committee chairman was Ken Ackerman and the two day ‘colloquium’ earned itself a six page write up in LSi magazine!

Showlight 1985
May 1985 
New York City, USA

This, the second outing for Showlight, was the first to mark its signature wanderlust by crossing the pond to the US.

Showlight 1981
May 1981
Barbican
London, UK

A modest two day event, Showlight ’81 was one of the first events to take place in the Barbican’s newly completed entertainment and conference complex and was opened by the Lord Mayor of the City of London.

Want to get involved ?

If you'd like to be on the committee for the next Showlight event, please get in touch: info@showlight.org