Backstage Pass: Don’t Forget About Lighting Design at Business Events

 

One of the oft-overlooked aspects of producing largescale business events is lighting design. As brands look to find creative ways to capture tradeshow audiences with content, audio, and visuals, the right lighting can enhance an immersive experience like no other. In this new episode of Backstage Pass by Alford Media, host Daniel Litwin sat down with Blake Taylor, Director of Lighting Services to discuss creative ways to light tradeshow events that’ll leave a memorable impression on consumers.

Blake, who has more than 25 years experience in light direction and programming, says art often imitates life. Innovative lighting effects you might see at a concert or film will often make their way into business event design.

“Our industry as a whole is being pushed by other arenas of entertainment,” Blake said. “You go to a touring concert, for example, and you see things that really open it up visually.”

While business events are taking visual cues from entertainment, there’s still a lot of subjectivity when it comes to what clients want.

“A lot of clients don’t necessarily approach a project with specific lighting needs, so it’s up to us to work with creative directors and creative types to develop what that project wants to look and feel like,” Blake said. “Lighting is so objective. People know what they like and what they don’t like, so it just depends on how they view it.”

Also, in this episode, Blake shared what lighting design concepts he’s seen that work and are especially impactful, as well as what kind of lighting fixtures create specific moods or effects.

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Pro AV Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication. A new episode of the Pro AV Show drops every Thursday.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @ProAVMKSL
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

promoted
How to Succeed After Getting Promoted: Seeking Feedback, Acting with Intention, and Leading with Perspective
April 16, 2026

Stepping into a leadership role today isn’t just a step up—it’s a shift into constant visibility, where expectations arrive immediately and the margin for error narrows. As organizations flatten structures and demand faster decisions, newly promoted leaders are expected to deliver impact from the outset, often without the space to fully adjust. According to…

Read More
AI in business
A Practical Conversation About AI in Business: From Hype to Real-World Impact
April 15, 2026

Artificial intelligence has moved from buzzword to boardroom priority at a staggering pace. Yet despite widespread adoption, many organizations are still struggling to turn experimentation into measurable business value—some estimates suggest the majority of enterprise AI initiatives fail to scale successfully. As AI becomes “table stakes” across industries, the real challenge is no longer…

Read More
weekly drive-in
Metropolis: Weekly Drive-in
April 15, 2026

Metropolis “Weekly Drive In” reflects a new era of storytelling where AI meets real-world execution, turning everyday field performance into momentum. Centered on genuine conversions and local wins, the series highlights how the company is scaling not just through technology, but through visibility and shared recognition. In an emerging recognition economy, these updates act…

Read More
Drive In, Drive Out: The Rhythm of Metropolis
April 15, 2026

Behind the seemingly mundane choreography of a drive-in lies a broader story about how modern cities script behavior, turning even the simplest actions into rehearsed routines. What looks like repetition is really a quiet testament to systems designed for flow and control, where efficiency often outweighs individuality. In places like Metropolis, the rhythm of…

Read More