More than 2,100 participants celebrated the premiere of LEaT con from October 18-20, 2022 at the Hamburg exhibition center. The concept of the new networking convention for the event industry quickly met with great approval, and the first inquiries for the next LEaT con have already been recorded. General conclusion: Great opportunity for relaxed networking, industry-internal exchange at the highest level and successful stage program on really important pain points of the industry.
After the exclusive LEaT con X in the fall of 2021 was enthusiastically received by the industry, this year the organizer Ebner Media Group dared to take the step to the big convention: With over 150 brands on more than 80 booths and more than 70 speakers on a total of 5 stages, the courage was rewarded and the big leap could be booked as a complete success. Over the course of three days, the Who’s Who of the event industry met in Hall B6 of Hamburg Messe und Congress to exchange ideas on current industry topics and developments, to network and to launch joint initiatives. The more than 1,600 visitors came mainly from all corners of Germany, but the organizers can also be pleased about the first international visitors from Italy, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands, China and Cyprus.
“The networking here is quite different than at other industry trade shows. It’s a very nice show and the concept is really great. We have good conversations and everything really stays within the industry. I can only say: people, come to LEaT con!” motivates Joe Gruber, member of the management of Nordlite, and is happy about a lot of visitors on his own booth. Marc Loewe, Head of Festival & Open Air of Addwise engineering GmbH also sums up: “It was a feast to meet so many old acquaintances! A great opportunity for networking. Thanks to the organisers!”
Enthusiastic about the concept and confident for the future, Asha McGhee (Regional Marketing Manager DACH/BENELUX, Panasonic Connect Europe) also said, “This concept doesn’t exist at other fairs. This will be a completely new format here in Hamburg. People are all very motivated!” The stage program also appealed to Asha so much that she spontaneously extended her visit to LEaT con by one day.
Many familiar faces from the industry were among the visitors, including Mike Blackman (Managing Director, Integrated Systems Events) and many well-known lighting and show designers such as Roland Greil and Jerry Appelt. The makers of LEaT con were equally pleased with the attendance and encouragement from young talent: students from Hamburg, Berlin and Giessen as well as trainees and schoolchildren mingled with the visitors, informed themselves about career opportunities and trends in the event industry, and made initial contacts with potential future employers.
“There is certainly still a lot that we need to adapt and improve and that is what we are working on – to be able to offer a relevant event at a high level for the industry. We are in regular exchange with the various players in the industry and get feedback, because in the end the event has to be successful for them. The response from the industry so far and our successful debut show us that we are on the right track,” sums up the Director of LEaT, Duc Nguyen, and lets it be known that LEaT con will become a permanent part of the future event and trade fair calendar after its successful premiere. “The specific date for 2023 is currently still being finalized, but this much can already be revealed: Hamburg will remain the port of LEaT con.”
Now many feedback discussions are held, the opinion of the industry is obtained and the foundation is poured for the further planning. To this end, the organizer is calling on every single participant of LEaT con 2022 to give their personal feedback so that LEaT con 2023 can fulfill its promise “from the industry and for the industry” in the best possible way. And then next year it’s back to: Be there. Be part of LEaT!
LEaT con 2022
• more than 2,100 participants: more than 1,600 visitors and about 500 participants (exhibitors, speakers & crew)
• over 150 brands at more than 80 booths
• More than 70 speakers on 5 stages: Deep Dives, panels and discussions
• 1 networking party for the industry – with DJ MAD (Beginner)
• 4 Trainings & Demos in the conference rooms (e.g. Dante Certification Level 1)
• MasterTrack Design Special with 3 creative luminaries
• 2 exclusive technical tours through the new CCH & Panikcity – the Udo Lindenberg Museum
