FRANKFURT, Germany – Messe Frankfurt announced details for next year’s Musikmesse and Prolight+Sound exhibitions. The trade fair company also noted that senior staffer Kai Hattendorf (pictured here, right) was named managing director of UFI, the exhibition industry’s global association. Messe Frankfurt assigned Stephan Kurzawski (pictured left) to take over for Hattendorf, who leaves this fall.
More details from Messe Frankfurt (www.messefrankfurt.com):
Musikmesse – International Trade Show for Musical Instruments, Sheet Music, Music Production and Music Business Connections Frankfurt, Germany, April 7-10, 2016
Prolight + Sound – International Show of Technologies and Services for Events, Installation and Production
Frankfurt, Germany, April 5-8, 2016
- Stephan Kurzawski assumes responsibility for the Entertainment, Media & Creation Division of Messe Frankfurt
- Kai Hattendorf to become Managing Director of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry Planning work for Musikmesse and Prolight + Sound 2016 in implementation phase
- Planning work for Musikmesse and Prolight + Sound 2016 in implementation phase.
Kai Hattendorf (44), currently Head of the Entertainment, Media & Creation Business Unit of Messe Frankfurt, has been chosen as the next Managing Director of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI). This was announced by the association and Hattendorf will leave Messe Frankfurt in the autumn.
“We would like to congratulate UFI on their choice. Kai Hattendorf is an outstanding communication and digital expert with detailed knowledge of the international show and exhibition industry”, says Wolfgang Marzin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Messe Frankfurt.
In view of this, Stephan Kurzawski has now assumed responsibility for the Entertainment, Media & Creation Business Unit with the Musikmesse and Prolight + Sound shows in addition to his responsibilities as Senior Vice President of Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH. Until his departure, Hattendorf will work together with the team on the restructuring of Musikmesse and Prolight & Sound.
Starting in 2016, the new Musikmesse concept, which the organizers announced during the show in April, provides for undisturbed professional discussions, new business opportunities and contact areas, as well as more activities designed to interest more music lovers in active music making. In discussions with manufacturers, associations, retailers and musicians, the organizers clarified a variety of requirements, developed ideas and defined objectives. The most important new features include a business world taking up a whole exhibition hall and offering numerous new services for retailers. The other halls are open not only to buyers and other trade visitors on all four days of the show but also to members of the public interested in music.
Another aspect of the new concept is a change to the hours of opening. Thus, in 2016, the show will open its doors from 10AM to 7PM and be held from Thursday to Sunday. In future, it will occupy Halls 8.0, 9.0, 9.1, 10.2, 11.0 and 11.1, as well as the Portalhaus and Galleria buildings. By changing the sequence of days, the organizers aim to create double value. On the one hand, this will make it easier for retailers from small businesses to visit the show. On the other hand, it will permit the trade-visitor potential to be exploited to the fullest. With the extensive measures taken to develop the concept of the show, Messe Frankfurt is reacting proactively to major challenges in the musical-instrument market. The changes represent a significant evolutionary step forward in the 35-year history of the show.
From next year, Prolight + Sound will have more room to expand the range of products for the entertainment, integrated systems and creation segments when it moves to Halls 1.1, 3.0, 3.1, 4.0, 4.1, 5.0 and
5.1, as well as the Festhalle and the outdoor areas, in the eastern section of Frankfurt Show and Exhibition Center. Additionally, a new sequence of days means the trade show will be able to strengthen its range of facilities and services. Prolight + Sound 2016 will open its doors from 10AM to 7PM from Tuesday, April 5, to Friday, April 8.
Initial positive reactions to the changes can be seen in the large number of exhibitors who have already signed up to take part again next year, although they still have until July 31, 2015 to register for Musikmesse
2016 at the early-booking rate. The première of the new Musikmesse concept will take place at Frankfurt Show and Exhibition Center from April 7-10, 2016.
Full details about the further development of Musikmesse and Prolight + Sound can be found on the internet at: www.musikmesse.com/2016
