What if your message died out… before it was ever heard?
Do you run conferences, workshops, or high-stakes speaking events?
You work on the speakers, the slides, the pacing, the content…
Yet one detail can sabotage everything and no one sees it coming.
Before you even speak, you’re already communicating.
And sometimes, without noticing… you fade out.
A shadow across the face.
Unreadable slides.
A harsh white light that wipes out every expression.
And the audience disconnects, without understanding why.
Have you ever considered the lighting of your event?
Lighting, the silent co-speaker
Lighting doesn’t just illuminate.
It guides, highlights, inspires, captures.
It’s the quiet ally of your message.
Without it, even the best content falls flat.
Picture this:
A speaker steps on stage.
The light is dull, poorly angled.
Half of their face is in shadow, their eyes lost, their slides hard to read.
They speak… but no one really listens.
Now change the scene.
Same talk, same person.
But this time, the room is warmed by balanced, thoughtful lighting.
Their face is clear.
Their visuals sharp, readable, impactful.
What happens?
Attention locks in.
Understanding grows.
Impact multiplies.
The tiny oversight that changes everything
We often think lighting is a detail.
A tech fancy.
A visual bonus.
But it’s not a bonus, it’s a strategic lever.
I’ve witnessed it firsthand.
Two editions of the same event, in the same venue.
Year one: the team adjusted the lighting all along the program.
Nothing extraordinary, just smart use of the room’s existing setup.
The atmosphere was smooth, immersive, engaging.
Almost no visual fatigue.
Attention at its highest.
Year two: same venue, same program, same speakers.
But this time, no one touched the lights.
Not intentionally. Just forgotten.
And someone finally said:
“I don’t know why… but this year feels less pleasant.”
One small oversight changed everything.
No tech issue. No missing gear.
Just a lack of attention to what isn’t always seen but is always felt.
What lighting actually changes
It captures attention
→ Good lighting guides the eye, leads focus where it matters.
It shapes the atmosphere
→ Thoughtful lighting invites presence, listening, connection.
It elevates the speakers
→ It strengthens posture, presence, and audience connection.
It improves readability
→ Slides, sets, visuals — everything becomes clearer, stronger, sharper.
And you at your last event…
Did you notice lighting’s impact on the overall experience?
Or did it feel like a minor technical setting?
That “average ambiance” you sometimes feel, that slight disconnect, that drifting attention,might simply come from one badly placed light.
Good lighting isn’t something you notice.
It’s something you feel.
And that’s exactly why it matters.
Poor lighting can ruin an experience
→ in one second,
→ even when everything else is perfectly executed.
In short
- Lighting shapes the experience.
- It guides focus, supports concentration.
- It highlights people and visuals.
- It creates sensory comfort that boosts engagement.
Lighting isn’t optional.
It’s a revealer of presence, attention, connection.
So next time you step on stage, don’t rely on content alone.
Give it the light it deserves.
A strong message deserves to be seen, felt, understood.
Think light. Think impact.
Written by Julie Verstappen, event coordinator with 20+ years of experience
After years of designing and coordinating diverse events, from adaptive sports to corporate training, I’ve learned that success isn’t just about logistics or technical details. It comes from a delicate balance of clear objectives, smooth execution, and shared emotions.
Through my articles, I offer insights and practical advice drawn from real-life experience to help you transform ideas into unforgettable experiences designed to achieve your goals and leave a lasting impression.
