Over 50+ lighting designers compete in the region’s first-ever professional lighting design challenge
The GCC witnessed a milestone moment in the lighting industry with the launch of the first-ever professional lighting design competition in the region, the Chauvet Lighting Challenge at NMK Beyond. Hosted by NMK Electronics in collaboration with Chauvet Professional, the initiative brought together 50+ lighting designers from across the GCC to showcase their skills, artistry, and innovation using Chauvet Professional fixtures exclusively.
Each participant was tasked with creating an original light show using specific fixtures from Chauvet Professional synced to one of four pre-selected music tracks carefully picked by the competition organisers to make sure participants had an option from every genre of music so they could easily transform sound into a striking visual performance and unleash their creativity. Submissions, recorded and shared as videos, reflected the extraordinary creativity and technical expertise present within the GCC region’s fast-growing lighting community.
Industry Perspective
The Chauvet Lighting Challenge was evaluated by a distinguished panel including Aaron Russ, Managing Director of ARLD, and Caro Chauvet, Director of Global Marketing at Chauvet Professional. Their involvement reflects the growing global attention on the GCC’s lighting industry, which has rapidly evolved into one of the world’s most dynamic markets for live entertainment, large-scale events, and cutting-edge installations. With increasing investment in venues, festivals, and cultural projects, the region is becoming a proving ground for both technology and talent, making competitions like this essential in spotlighting the creativity that drives the industry forward.
Both judges praised the standard of creativity on display. “The sheer talent from this region was incredible from bold creative choices to subtle technical mastery. The participants truly showcased the artistry and innovation that define this industry’s future.” said Russ.
Chauvet noted, “The dedication and artistry from every participant impressed us. The way designers pushed Chauvet fixtures to create unique expressions shows the limitless potential of lighting in the Middle East.”
Echoing these views, Nicolas Cox, Managing Director at NMK Electronics, described the challenge as a landmark moment for the GCC’s AV industry: “ This challenge really gave lighting designers across the GCC a stage to shine, it celebrates their craft, highlights the impact of great lighting design in our industry, and shows just how collaborative this community has become.”
Winners Announced at NMK Season Kick-Off 2025
The winners of the challenge were announced during NMK’s Annual Season Kick-Off 2025, the company’s flagship industry event celebrating the PRO-AV industry as they gear up for a busy season ahead. The event was attended by 450+ prominent industry professionals.
Paul Coopes who secured the first place said “I’ve always loved programming, so I jumped at the chance to take part in the Chauvet Lighting Challenge at NMK Beyond. It was a great opportunity to be creative and hone your skills. With four very different tracks to choose from, picking the right one was a big part of the challenge. I went with the Overwerk track because it’s full of sharp stabs, different sounds, high-energy moments, and big breakdowns. That contrast gave me loads to play with and really helped show off what the Chauvet fixtures could do. With so many strong entries across the region, it’s genuinely humbling to be selected as this year’s winner. A huge thanks to NMK and Chauvet for the opportunity and for sending me to Miami. I can’t wait to experience it.”
Paul has won a trip for two to Miami where he will be visiting the Chauvet HQ for an exclusive first-hand behind the scenes experience. This will be a great chance to witness the workings of one of the world’s leading lighting brands up close.
Reflecting on the judging process Aaron Russ added: “Paul showcased an excellent display of old school programming and clever use of fx generators. Not overly relying on repetitive fx by using presets and some well thought out moves and positions. Layer after layer this kept building and the sheer number of cues put into 5 minutes was an impressive display of commitment to the cause. This was a masterclass in console programming. This is what I would expect if someone was programming for me.”
Second and the third place was awarded to Kirill Tishchenko and Martijn van Summeren.
NMK Electronics extended its congratulations to the winners and gratitude to all participants for their engagement and enthusiasm.
