Robe To Sponsor 2013 Showlight Expo in Czech Republic

	Robe's Marketing manager Jiri Baros with Ian Dow from the 2013 Showlight committee.

Moving light and LED manufacturer Robe lighting will sponsor and co-organize the 2013 Showlight conference, which will be held in Ceský Krumlov in South Bohemia, in the Czech Republic.

Staged every four years, Showlight is an international symposium organized by and for professionals working in all areas of lighting and the visual arts, including video and projections, stage and set design.

Open to all, from the most experienced practitioners to the most enthusiastic aspirants across all sectors of the performing arts and entertainment industries, the four-day colloquium is supported by an exhibition and a full social program for networking.

A diverse range of individuals attend Showlight -- from those with established international reputations to those starting out on their industry careers. These creative and technical innovators and movers-and-shakers give Showlight its own unique dynamism and energy.

It is a forum for discussion, debate, and exchange of knowledge and ideas, as well as an opportunity for approximately 400 guests to see a selection of the latest technology available. Companies taking up the exhibition opportunities at Showlight will each have the same amount of shell-scheme space available.

Delegates can also enjoy an entertaining social program, the highlight of which is the Showlight conference dinner, to be held in a marquee in the city's Castle Gardens.

At the heart of Ceský Krumlov is its Renaissance castle, complete with fully preserved Baroque Theatre, opened in 1682, which still features the original stage machinery, active and carefully preserved. It also has an outdoor amphitheatre with revolving audience seating -- one of only a few in the world.

The hilltop location is cut through by the Vltava river. The historic town square and winding cobbled streets feature a host of hotels -- from five star luxury to modest pensions -- an assortment of arts and craft shops and a selection of high quality restaurants, bars, and coffee houses, many of them dotted along the river.

Ceský Krumlov is also an important cultural center, hosting a number of festivals and other events throughout the year, including the International Music Festival and Open Air Krumlov, bringing the latest blues, rock, and soul sounds to the city.

Two other locations and sponsorship packages were vying to win the Showlight 2013 nomination, which involved visits and assessments by the 20-strong UK-based Showlight committee, presided over by Ian Dow, a BBC lighting professional for 35 years.

The decision to go with Ceský Krumlov was unanimous. Dow comments, "We wanted a venue that inspires our visitors and speakers to join us, and that can also cater for all the social elements, with plenty of interesting places for the visits program and good restaurants, etc. We visited three potential locations, and Ceský Krumlov has everything we need. Both Robe and the local tourist office have been extremely helpful."

Says Robe's marketing and communications manager Jiri Baros, "We are very proud that the Czech Republic was chosen as the host country for Showlight 2013. CZ has a great history and tradition for innovation in the world of lighting and visuals, especially in cinema, film, and theatre. We will be delighted to welcome visitors from worldwide working in these and other associated fields and offer the chance to exchange thoughts, knowledge and information."

Robe recently arranged for Dow to give a presentation and introduction to Showlight at the 2011 Prague Quadrennial, which was well attended and attracted a lot of interest.

As May 2013 approaches, the Showlight Committee and Robe will be working in conjunction with a number of Czech lighting professionals from the worlds of film, TV, live events and installations, etc., together with students from all the relevant disciplines, to ensure that Showlight 2013 is a must-do experience on the industry calendar.

As well as being the main sponsor, Robe will be helping to arrange and coordinate all the transport and accommodation logistics and ensure that delegates also have the chance to enjoy the fantastic environment and engage in some of the many sporting and cultural activities available in and around Ceský Krumlov during their visit.