Martin Professional was proud to have served as the main sponsor for Showlight 2009 held from May 16th to 19th in Glasgow at BBC Scotland's new state-of-the-art headquarters. Held every four years, Showlight is generally recognized as unlike any other lighting industry event.
Made up of many of the top names in lighting, Showlight exists specifically to give speakers and attendees time to discuss and mix. The event consists of three days of seminars and dinners, as well as installation and factory visits.
Speakers at this year’s event were exceptional and included a number of lighting professionals who detailed projects dominated by Martin lighting: Paul Collison, Beijing Olympic opening ceremony; Iain Ruxton, Grand Mosque; Rob Halliday, Mary Poppins; and Andi Watson, Radiohead.
Martin was well-represented with a host of Martin UK and headquarters personnel including Martin UK head Tony Browne and Martin Professional A/S CEO Christian Engsted, who delivered the sponsor speech.
“We are delighted to have had the opportunity to sponsor this year’s Showlight,” stated Tony Browne. “The show has again proved to be one of the most important in the industry, and from a networking perspective is unequalled. It also provides us the valuable opportunity to introduce Martin Professional to the new lighting talent that the show attracts. It is really an exceptional and unique event.”
Showlight committee member Joe Breslin of the BBC, who spoke at the event about how he and his team designed and installed the new BBC Scotland studios, commented, “BBC Scotland was proud to host Showlight. With such a diverse range of subjects for the papers, everyone found something they could relate to. The mix of exhibition, social, and training made for a great surprise to the students who helped to run the show. With such a relaxed atmosphere, and a wealth of professional talent, it is the ideal opportunity to meet peers and discuss lighting on many different levels and disciplines. The show leaves you educated and inspired, with a list of invitations and contacts to see you through until the next one in four years time.”
Showlight committee chairman Ian Dow was quite satisfied with the event. “During the social events in Glasgow, and in the refreshment breaks, I would pass groups of people animatedly discussing lighting,” he stated. “Without studying their badges there was no way of working out if they were delegates, exhibitors, speakers, students, or the BBC crew. If I got the chance for a closer look I would realise that each group had a mixture of practitioners from theatre, TV, event, film, architectural, manufacturing and supplying. This is what Showlight is about. A chance to meet others, with a passion for lighting, from areas you would not normally have contact with, have time to swap ideas, and discuss problems and solutions.
“However, the catalyst for all of this is the quality and range of the papers, the work put in by the speakers in preparation, the generosity of the exhibitors who often additionally sponsor elements of Showlight or provide equipment, and the enthusiasm of the 50 lighting students able to mix with those already established in the profession.
“Comments from delegates, speakers and exhibitors tell me that Showlight 2009 was regarded as a success, and I am proud to have chaired a committee of lighting professionals, all busy people in their own right, who have achieved this in their spare time!”
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