The organiser of Showlight has announced that plans are in motion to hold the next edition of the event on 20-23 May 2023, following a two-year postponement caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The lighting quadrennial is to be held at the Théâtre Municipal in Fontainebleau, near Paris, France, the original destination for the postponed 2021 event.
“The Showlight committee is now planning for the next live Showlight in May 2023 and we hope this time nothing will de-rail it!” said Showlight chairman, John Allen. “We are delighted to have the continued support of our main sponsor, Robert Juliat, along with many of the sponsors who were already supporting Showlight 2021. Fontainebleau’s local administration has, once again, made the Théâtre Municipal available for us – right in the centre of the town – and, as a result, the arrangements we were originally making for 2021 can be dusted off and planning can recommence.”
“The welcome reception is planned for Saturday 20 May, with the first full day of papers on Sunday 21 May 2023,” continued Allen. “More programme details will be released in due course and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to Showlight next year.”
With this in mind, and less than 18 months to go, Showlight will soon be putting out a call for papers, exhibitors and sponsors for the networking event.
“I had such a terrific time, I’m still talking about it,” said James Simpson, lighting designer and visualiser at Copper Candle, Showlight 2017 speaker – and now, vice chair of the Papers Committee. “I was so inspired and motivated by the speakers that I have a renewed energy for my work and trying new things. I met so many new people and learned so much about different people’s work, it has been invaluable.”
Showlight 2023 will provide the opportunity to mingle, and learn, with lighting practitioners from all disciplines and many countries, across three days of networking, social visits, eclectic papers and an exhibition.
“Showlight packs a full programme into three days which gives the opportunity to dive deep into the world of light and to meet lots of new people outside of your normal comfort zone,” said Isabel Nielen, lighting designer and artist, and Showlight 2017 speaker.
“Showlight is so interesting because of the access it gives to everybody,” said Ellen Lampert-Greaux, Live Design, Showlight 2017 delegate. “Students can talk directly to top lighting designers, lighting designers have lots of time to interact with manufacturers, etc. It’s first and foremost an excellent networking event.”
Photo: Roger Simonsz
