The Women in Lighting initiative raises the profile of female professionals in all lighting trades (photo: Ayrton)
Germany - Prolight + Sound 2023 will be supporting the Women in Lighting initiative with the premiere of the Women in Lighting Lounge and specialised programme formats; the show will draw attention to the achievements of women in the sector and provide impetus for more gender diversity.
The lounge is located in Hall 12.0, near the booth of the initiative's entertainment lighting partner, Ayrton. It serves as a central meeting space for female professionals and interested newcomers alike, as a venue for interviews with inspiring personalities and as a source of information about career scenarios. In cooperation with Light Collective, the initiator of Women in Lighting, there will also be topic-relevant lectures and discussion rounds on the Theatre + Light Stage in Hall 12.0 on all days of the fair, as well as daily WIL Meet Ups at the Ayrton stand which provides valuable networking opportunities.
“The event business is not a ‘Mens’ World’!” says Mira Wölfel director Prolight + Sound. “This is also proven by Prolight + Sound, which is realised by women at various management levels. It is a matter close to our hearts to provide a worthy stage for the merits and great careers of women in the industry. At the same time, we would like to support the industry in inspiring the next generation of female talent for lighting and event technology. That is why we are exceptionally pleased to be working with Light Collective to promote the Women in Lighting project.”
“Women in Lighting is honoured to cooperate with Prolight + Sound as it creates a fantastic opportunity to promote the project to an international audience and meet them face-to-face at one of the world’s biggest entertainment lighting shows,” add Sharon Stammers and Martin Lupton, the co-founders of Light Collective. “The project aims to profile women working in the field of entertainment lighting and increase their visibility to show that this is an interesting and viable career path for young women looking to work within the world of entertainment. Prolight + Sound is an excellent platform from which to elevate this activity.”
Women in Lighting is a global initiative that celebrates and portrays women in lighting and lighting design. Through social activism, it draws attention to unconscious biases in the industry and challenges them through a strong presence in digital media, where the project has built a large following. The initiative is supported by dedicated women in over 75 countries. As WIL Ambassadors, they are the driving force behind the project. They set up independent local initiatives and work with partners around the world on broader projects.
Since its initiation in 2019, the project has developed into an international community that shares knowledge and experiences. In addition to providing resources on the website, “Women in Lighting” organises an annual international conference on International Women's Day (8 March) and regularly presents awards for women in the industry.

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