GLOBAL: Avolites has formally launched its 50th anniversary celebrations, marking five decades of influence in professional lighting and media control with the introduction of the Golden Console Competition and the Avo50 Ambassador programme. The initiatives signal a year-long series of activities that recognise both the company’s legacy and its ongoing relationship with the creative professionals who have shaped the look and feel of live entertainment worldwide.

Founded in 1976 on the belief that creative people deserve tools that are fast, flexible and built for the realities of live performance, Avolites has grown into one of the most trusted names in lighting and media control. Its products are used across the full spectrum of performance environments, from experimental theatre productions to global touring, festivals and broadcast events, with a consistent focus on supporting the people behind the control desk. That commitment to lighting and visual designers, programmers and operators has driven decades of workflow innovation and the integration of lighting and video, enabling more ambitious visual storytelling across live productions.

The anniversary year officially gets underway with a set of global initiatives designed to celebrate the community around the brand. Central among them is the Golden Console Competition, which will be unveiled at ISE in Barcelona and will run throughout the year, offering participants the chance to win a one-of-a-kind 24-carat gold plated Avolites console. Alongside this, the company is introducing the Avo50 Ambassadors, a group of fifty influential designers, programmers and operators who will be revealed over the next ten months. Their stories, experiences and achievements will be shared through interviews, video content and social media, placing the spotlight firmly on the individuals who continue to define the Avolites identity.

Reflecting on the milestone, Avolites CEO Nikki Scott stated, “Fifty years is an extraordinary milestone and what truly matters is the community behind it. Avolites exists because of the designers, programmers, technicians and partners who have trusted us with their creativity for half a century. This anniversary is a celebration of them: of their talent, passion, visions, imagination and all the incredible shows they bring to life every day.” Additional anniversary activity will include a time capsule project, archive features and special content that traces the people, products and moments that have shaped the company’s journey over five decades.

As the industry continues to evolve, Avolites is positioning the anniversary not as a retrospective pause, but as a springboard into its next chapter. “This anniversary isn’t about looking back with nostalgia,” Scott added. “It’s about recognising what we’ve built together and using that momentum to shape the future. We’re incredibly proud of where Avolites has come from and even more excited about the years ahead.”