Claypaky looks forward to hosting Showlight 2017

As ever, Showlight will offer a broad range of stimulating presentations and panel discussions, delivered by leading international designers, programmers and influencers working at the forefront of professional show lighting in TV, theatre, concert touring, film, special events and leisure environments. The topics have been carefully chosen by the committee to engage the eclectic interests of lighting enthusiasts from across the world and across many disciplines.

Claypaky’s CEO, Pio Nahum, says: “Being the headline sponsor of an international event such as Showlight expresses Claypaky’s commitment and support for the lighting design community worldwide. It is an unmissable networking opportunity. Spending quality time together is essential in a niche industry such as ours, where personal relations are so important. We believe that Showlight strikes the perfect balance between professional development and inter-personal communication, within a group of professionals who have so much to share.”

Based in Bergamo in the north of Italy, the Claypaky team - particularly Roberta Guaschi, who played a key role in the event’s organisation - have shared their extensive knowledge of their home country’s cultural heritage with the Showlight organisers. The result for delegates will be a rich and varied cultural experience, including visits to 23 noteworthy venues and businesses in and around the beautiful and historic city of Florence, many of which are not usually open to the public and offer unprecedented behind-the-scenes access.  

Tours will include The Pergola Theatre, the oldest theatre in Italy; Opera di Firenze, which opened just two years ago and houses some of the world’s most state-of-the-art facilities; Palazzo Vecchio - the first home of the Medici and now the city’s Town Hall; and Antinori Cellars, Bargino - owned by the most ancient wine-producing families in Florence. 

Of course, these are just a few of the 23 venues, where specialists promise to offer delegates insights into subjects as diverse as the art of paper marbling, art restoration and perfumery, to wine making, leather work and backstage environments old and new.

These opportunities are an integral part of the Showlight format, as Nahum explains: “Cultural events are important as they create knowledge and awareness. They are shared experiences which will underpin the sharing of ideas and insights, and inspire the delegates in their future creative work. Mediocrity is the biggest risk that I see in the future of our industry, so focusing on education, professionalism and attention to detail is the only way to excel.”

As is traditional at Showlight, Claypaky will also host a number of lighting students, giving them an invaluable opportunity to meet and spend time with leading lighting specialists from across the world. Nahum explains: “A student of today may become the “customer” of tomorrow, but it’s not only this. In our industry, educational opportunities are extremely important, but not so easy to find outside of countries such as the UK and the USA. If we want our industry to be the best it can, we must support events such as Showlight. It is a responsibility for key manufacturers to assist in initiatives of this kind.”

The event will culminate with the Showlight gala dinner, a prestigious event in which Claypaky will host 400 guests at a very special (and still secret) venue. “Everybody will remember it!” promises Nahum.