Creativity cannot be used up, wrote the iconic Maya Angelou. The more you use, the more it grows. To that, we might add, “the more it is shared, the brighter it shines.” This empowering concept is at the heart of Showlight, and it is why CHAUVET Professional and its sister company, ChamSys, have become so invested in sponsoring this beloved lighting educational/networking event that takes place in a different city every four years.
In 2025, for the first time in its 44-year history, Showlight took place in France at Le Parc des Expositions et Congrès de Dijon. This year also marked the first time that sessions and Q-and-A follow ups were simultaneously translated in English, French, Italian and Spanish via AI. (Traditionally they were conducted solely in English.)
Regardless of which language they were presented in the sessions provided invaluable insights. How could it be any other way, with the extensive array of esteemed speakers who participated in the events famous “Papers Programme?” Included in this illustrious group were multi-award winning Lucy Carter; Frédéric “Aldo” Fayard, the founder of Concept K; Luc Peumans, the founder and creative director of Painting with Light; and Willie Williams, lighting designer for U2, who create the debut show at the much-heralded Sphere in Las Vegas.
Young lighting designers who participated in the Student Sponsorship Programme, including those sponsored by CHAUVET Professional and ChamSys, got to benefit from the Papers Programme. They also were able to enjoy the networking opportunities of the daily morning and afternoon tea breaks and lunch, as well as having a place at one of the Company Dinners on the Tuesday and the Conference Dinner on Wednesday. Beyond that, they participated in workshops and got hands-on experience creating lighting designs.
For CHAUVET Professional and ChamSys, the Showlight sponsorship is just one of many activities undertaken to support the development of students and young lighting professionals. Beginning with the CHAUVET Student Lighting Showcase, which launched in 2013, the company has maintained a strong commitment to education with initiatives like Chauvet University, the ChamSys Training Academy, and the ChamSys Student Discount Program, which offers students special pricing on MagicQ DMX Full interfaces, and MagicQ Compact Connect, a lightweight USB control surface that connects to a PC or Mac.
Meanwhile, the young designers at Showlight were universally enthusiastic about their experience. With support from the industry and sponsors like CHAUVET Professional and ChamSys, who knows? Maybe one day down the road, these students will be presenting at the event’s Papers Programme. Creativity, after all, does feed on itself!
Further information about CHAUVET Professional: www.chauvetprofessional.com
