Showlight announces Virtual Showlight, a new, one-day, online event that takes the place of Showlight 2021 following its postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 Showlight will be held live online on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 between the hours of 10:00am – 6:00pm EDT.

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 Behind the Scenes.

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. A ‘tapas session’ will give a taster of what to expect once the full Showlight returns.

Staying true to the spirit of Showlight, the day also includes scheduled breaks between sessions when delegates, speakers and sponsors can network in ‘breakout rooms’ and finish with an evening ‘social’ online.

Showlight is issuing a fresh Call for Speakers to enrich the Virtual Showlight program and make the most of the opportunities presented by the virtual format. Organizers envisage this will be especially appealing for those speakers whose commitments usually prevent them from speaking at a full Showlight event. Send an outline of your talk to [email protected] and simply specify if you are applying to speak at Virtual Showlight or Full Showlight.

The organizers 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 Lighting&Sound America.

Virtual Showlight has been planned as an enjoyable day to touch base with colleagues and celebrate the lighting industry that everyone loves. 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 May 25, 2021.”

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.