Showlight announces virtual event

Following the postponement of Showlight 2021, a one-day Virtual Showlight will be held in its place as a temporary interlude. The live online event will take place on Tuesday 25 May 2021 between the hours of 15.00 – 23.00 BST.

The date coincides with the final day of the original event and the time has been chosen to best accommodate US and European delegates, the night owls further east, and (with apologies!) the sleepless in Australia and New Zealand.

Virtual Showlight will host an online presentation of papers, each up to 30 minutes in length, from international keynote speakers, plus a live Panel Discussion. Q&A sessions will follow each paper with delegates able to message their questions via the chairperson.

The remainder of the time will stay true to the spirit of Showlight with scheduled breaks between sessions providing opportunities for delegates, speakers and sponsors to network in ‘breakout rooms’ where they can spend the time mixing and mingling with others, both socially and within interest groups, in a virtual way.

Virtual speakers wanted

To coincide with this announcement, Showlight is issuing a fresh Call for Speakers to enrich the Virtual Showlight programme and make the most of the opportunities presented by the virtual format. We envisage this will be especially appealing for those speakers whose commitments usually prevent them from speaking at a full Showlight event. Don’t worry, technical support will be available for those that might require it!

Showlight is always on the look out for new speakers, so if you prefer to submit your ideas for the full event, we are also happy to hear these – just specify on your submission if you are applying for Virtual Showlight or Full Showlight. All ideas to be submitted to papers@showlight.org

Virtual sponsors wanted

Sponsorship opportunities are available to facilitate this unique online event with the chance to host your own breakout room between papers sessions. Please email sponsorship@showlight.org for more details.

We are grateful to those sponsors who have already signed up early in support of Virtual Showlight: Robert Juliat as headline sponsor, ACT Lighting, Inc., Altman, Ayrton, ETC and Robe. Virtual Showlight is also kindly supported by our media partners, LSi, and by LSA.

Tickets by voluntary donation

Tickets for Virtual Showlight will be issued on a first come, first served basis. Announcements will appear in the press and via the Showlight mailing list as soon as the ticket desk opens. In the current climate, Showlight has chosen not to charge for tickets but to leave it to the discretion of the delegates to add voluntary donations, with all proceeds going directly to selected industry charities, including Backup and Behind the Scenes.

In-person Showlight will return!

Virtual Showlight has been planned as an enjoyable day to touch base with colleagues and celebrate the lighting industry that we love. However, Showlight also confirms, Virtual Showlight is a temporary solution only, and the full Showlight event will return as soon as possible.

“While a virtual event cannot match the magic of the original gathering planned for Fontainebleau, we are determined to maintain the spirit of this unique colloquium until that happy time when we can gather together safely in person,” says Showlight Chairman, John Allen. “Virtual Showlight is a temporary, yet ingenious and enjoyable, solution to the restrictions caused by the COVID pandemic which also gives us the opportunity to raise money for our industry charities. Be assured Showlight will return as a live event in its full and wonderful form once it is safe and practical to do so. Until then, we look forward to seeing you online on 25 May 2021.”

Don’t forget to sign up to the Showlight Mailing List (www.showlight.org), Facebook and Twitter pages to keep up to date with developments and be the first to hear when speakers are announced and tickets become available.