Showlight – A Unique Event in the Lighting Calendar

Julie Harper • August 16, 2019

Showlight is a unique colloquium held every four years in a different location.

Showlight is a unique colloquium that is held every four years in a different location. Showlight 2021 will take place between 22-25 May 2021 in beautiful Fontainebleau, near Paris, France at the town’s picturesque Théâtre Municipal.

Showlight’s main focus is its eclectic Papers Schedule which aims to be both fun and informative. A strong emphasis is also placed on networking amongst those who love lighting in all its forms. It is one of the few international events organised specifically for lighting professionals by lighting professionals across the performance, television, film, architectural and event worlds. All of the organisers give their time freely and voluntarily to ensure an event that delivers a unique opportunity for lighting people of all disciplines and levels of expertise to mix and exchange ideas and stories.

The general format is that everybody arrives in Fontainebleau on the Saturday evening and gathers for drinks at a welcome evening. The next morning starts bright and early on the Sunday as the conference begins, with speakers presenting 20-minute papers in groups of three, followed by a Q&A session at the end of each session. There is often a Panel Session which takes a closer look at the roles lighting practitioners play within our industry, or discusses pertinent topics in more depth.

Coffee, tea and lunch breaks are scheduled throughout the day, during which time, delegates can explore the exhibition and talk to the manufacturers who have stands there. The exhibition is an invaluable part of Showlight with around 40 exhibitors lending their support to the event and benefiting from unrivalled access to designers, established and fledgling, and a whole raft of other industry professionals, in a relaxed and unpressured environment. All stands are the same size shell scheme so everyone is on an even footing, regardless of the size of the company! And, uniquely, the exhibition closes while the papers are being given, so the exhibitors can also listen to and enjoy the presentations.

Each of the exhibitors sponsors a lighting student for the duration of the show, who helps on the stand and, most importantly, has the opportunity to network with industry professionals. Most exhibitors also host company dinners on the Sunday evening so every Showlight delegate that chooses to partake will be taken to one of Fontainebleau’s many excellent restaurants in good company!

The conference continues on Monday morning, while the afternoon is given over to visits to places of local interest. Delegates can choose which trips to go on (they are allocated on a first come, first served basis!) and a full list of these visits will be announced closer to the date.

The day ends with the legendary Conference Dinner – which is held in a secret location which will not be disclosed until the day!

The final day, Tuesday, sees another full day of papers presentations before everybody departs (or spends a few extra days in Fontainebleau if they choose!) in the evening.

Finally, Showlight is a not-for-profit event organised entirely by volunteers, and we wouldn’t be able to do it without the support of our sponsors. This year’s Headline Sponsor is Robert Juliat, with other sponsors as follows: Platinum Sponsor Ayrton, Gold sponsors Eyetidy and SFL Group, Silver sponsors White Light, and Bronze sponsor PRG, alongside media supporters, LSI.

For more information about Showlight visit the newly launched website www.showlight.org to sign up for our new mailing list and follow us on social media.

Website: www.showlight.org

Facebook: /showlightevent

Twitter: @Showlight2021