backstage pass

The masterclasses and side events at leat con 26

Want to get even more out of your visit? With the backstage pass, you’ll get access to exclusive masterclasses and a side event!

It’s worth booking early, as places on these exclusive courses are limited.

With the backstage pass, you get everything included in the 3-day floor pass, plus specially curated events and catering.

Get your backstage pass now!

This is included in the Backstage Pass

✓ All the benefits of the 3-day floor pass
✓ Two exclusive masterclasses of your choice
✓ A side event at a major tech event in Hamburg
✓ Three meal vouchers, one per day of the event
✓ A limited-edition leat jumper

The selection and booking of the included programme items take place directly when purchasing the backstage pass.

Masterclasses

This year, we’ve lined up some exciting masterclasses led by industry experts. These masterclasses go beyond traditional talks. They provide a space to explore specific topics, gain practical insights and delve deeper into working methods, technologies and creative processes. With a backstage pass, you can attend two masterclasses of your choice.

What Actually Matters: Why Good Lighting Has Nothing to Do With The Latest HokeyCokey2000

In this masterclass, Tim Routledge, an internationally acclaimed lighting designer who has worked on major productions including the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2026, demonstrates why good lighting design is far more than the latest device or trendiest technology. Participants will gain practical insights into how creative concepts, emotional impact, and technical precision come together to create truly impressive lighting experiences.

Lecturer: Tim Routledge
When: 6 October, 11am–12pm
Language: English

Room acoustics and sound reinforcement – how rooms really work

In this masterclass, Prof. Dr Anselm Goertz provides practical guidance on how to optimise acoustics and sound reinforcement in different types of rooms. Participants will learn which factors influence sound in rooms and how room size, materials, loudspeaker positioning and acoustic properties affect intelligibility and sound quality. Participants will gain insights into the practical implementation of complex sound reinforcement systems, as well as strategies for optimising existing rooms and hybrid applications.
The masterclass is aimed at planners, architects, event technicians and AV professionals who wish to plan their projects thoroughly in order to ensure clear speech intelligibility, balanced sound and reliable sound reinforcement. In addition to theoretical knowledge, Prof. Dr Goertz provides specific case studies, practical tips and hands-on solutions that can be applied directly in participants’ own work.

Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Anselm Goertz
When: 6 October, 1.00–2.30 pm

Companion Masterclass – Show Control with Dorian Meid

Are you already using Companion and want to take your skills to the next level? The Companion Masterclass offers practical insights into Companion’s advanced features: learn how to use expressions, triggers and variables effectively in your projects and optimise your workflows.
Dorian Meid, a core developer at Companion, will be on hand throughout the session to answer any questions – including those relating to specific project challenges. Make the most of this opportunity to explore Companion’s capabilities in depth and implement your projects more efficiently and creatively.

Lecturer: Dorian Meid
When: 6 October, 3.00–4.30 pm and 7 October, 5.00–6.00 pm

What’s new with the MVStättVO?

Lawyer Timon Löhr von Karchowski explains the 2025 amendment to the MVStättVO and provides a practical overview of its implications for the events industry. Participants will learn what is changing and how the new regulations affect the planning, operation and safety of venues.
The masterclass is aimed at event technicians, event managers, safety officers and anyone who wishes to plan events in a legally compliant manner and in accordance with current guidelines. Particular attention is paid to the changes affecting approval processes, organisational procedures and safety requirements, as well as to practical recommendations for day-to-day event planning.

Lecturer: Timon Löhr von Karchowski
When: 7 October, 11.00am–12.30pm

Video mapping in the theatre – workflow, technology and artistic implementation

IIn this masterclass, participants will learn how video mapping in theatre is developed, from the initial creative idea through to technical implementation. The focus is on combining artistic conception, storytelling and technical implementation to create visually stunning stage productions.
The masterclass offers hands-on experience and practical insights that can be immediately applied to your own projects, and is aimed at theatre technicians and operators, visual artists and creatives who wish to delve deeper into the world of video mapping.

Lecturer: Philipp Contag-Lada
When: 7 October, 1.00–2.30 pm

AI-powered Lighting – Rethinking Lighting Design

The use of artificial intelligence opens up exciting possibilities in lighting design, taking creativity and efficiency to a whole new level. In this masterclass, lighting designer JoJo Tillmann will work with participants to explore how AI can be specifically integrated into lighting planning and design processes. Practical examples will be used to bring the application of AI to life.
The workshop is aimed at anyone interested in the use of AI in lighting design and lighting technology. People with no previous experience of image AI are also welcome – the workshop offers a practical introduction and inspiration to get creative straight away.

Lecturer: JoJo Tillmann
When: 8 October, 10.30 am–12.00 pm

Practical selling: Sales is not therapy

The masterclass ‘Sales is not therapy’ is a practical course aimed at manufacturers, system integrators, specialist retailers and sales managers. Participants will gain practical insights into how to boost sales effectiveness, structure customer discussions more clearly and avoid misunderstandings in day-to-day sales work.
Through real-world scenarios, the course demonstrates how sales can be carried out efficiently, in a solution-oriented and goal-focused manner. The masterclass offers direct benefits for day-to-day professional practice and provides an opportunity to share experiences and best practices.

Lecturer: Thomas Kuklas
When: 8 October, 1.00–2.00 pm

Workflows for Creative Professionals

In the masterclass, Jascha Süss discusses individual projects in depth, guiding participants through his artistic approach and the various workflows he employs on projects. He covers everything from the initial spark of an idea through to conception and implementation, the challenges that arise along the way, and how to overcome them. He also provides insights into specific workflows using his tools of choice – such as TouchDesigner, Cinema 4D and Resolume Arena – as well as his approach to combining analogue media with the digital world. He explains why he prefers to be a generalist rather than a specialist, and why, in his view, this is the future-proof strategy, particularly in the age of AI. The masterclass is aimed at visual artists, designers and creatives who want to discover new approaches and discuss existing workflows.

Lecturer: Jascha Süss
When: 8 October 2026, 2.30–4.00 pm

Side Events

At leat con 26, we’re heading out of the exhibition halls once again to exciting venues featuring unique technology! This side event takes you to a special tech highlight in Hamburg and gives you exclusive behind-the-scenes insights. It’s a chance to experience exciting places and perspectives beyond the usual exhibition visit.

Miniatur Wunderland guided tour

According to Guinness World Records, Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg’s historic Speicherstadt is the world’s largest model railway layout and ranks among Germany’s most popular and most-visited attractions. During the 60-minute backstage tours, a guide leads visitors through selected sections of the layout and explains fascinating details about the model and layout technology. Groups are kept small to ensure an immersive experience.
Participants gain an insight into the technology and can ask the guides questions directly. After the tour, there is plenty of time to explore Miniatur Wunderland at your leisure.

When: 6 October 2026
Morning: 8.40–9.40 am & 9.00–10.00 am
Evening: 6.00–7.00 pm & 6.40–7.40 pm
Meeting point: Miniatur Wunderland, Kehrwieder 2, 20457 Hamburg

A look behind the scenes at the Deutsches Schauspielhaus

Immerse yourself in the world behind the scenes at the Deutsches Schauspielhaus, one of Germany’s most historic theatres. Led by Frederik Zimmer, safety engineer and fire safety officer, you’ll gain an insight into the theatre’s operations, technical installations and the staging of productions. The tour offers a hands-on demonstration of how lighting, set design, sound and stage management work together to create high-calibre productions – ideal for anyone who wants to experience theatre technology and creative processes first-hand.

When: 6 October 2026, 9.00–10.30 am
Meeting point: Stage entrance, Ellmenreichstraße 3, 20099 Hamburg

Bunker St. Pauli | Walk & Talk

Start the second day of the fair in a relaxed manner with a coffee and croissant at the Constant Grind Café, and take the opportunity to network with colleagues and our partner Stefan Lohmann. As an expert in international artist booking and sustainable event solutions, Stefan Lohmann – our point of contact for events – will give us fascinating behind-the-scenes insights: from the history and architecture of the hotel, the various event venues and the extraordinary landscaping featuring 25,000 plants, right through to the venue’s symbolic significance for events and the future of the industry. From the roof garden, you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of Hamburg’s landmarks.

When: 7 October 2026, 9.00–10.00 am
Meeting point: Constant Grind Café, Feldstraße 66, 20359 Hamburg

CCH CongressCenter Hamburg | technical guided tour

Immerse yourself in the state-of-the-art event technology at the CCH – Congress Centre Hamburg: the new CCH is unique, pioneering, one of the most modern and, with a total area of 36,000 square metres, one of the largest congress centres in Europe. The figure 12,000 holds particular significance: the event space covers 12,000 square metres, the foyer area also measures 12,000 square metres, and the CCH can accommodate a total of 12,000 visitors at any one time. The up to 50 multifunctional halls, suitable for conferences and events of all kinds accommodating 500 people or more, are spread across four levels and the three event areas: West, Central and East. The three areas are accessible via separate entrances and exits.
Hartmut Hofmann, Technical Director of the CCH, will guide you through the various event venues on our Tech Trip, highlighting their technical features along the way.

When: 7 October 2026, 10.00–11.00 am
Meeting point: Main entrance to the CCH, Congressplatz 1, 20355 Hamburg

Behind the scenes at the Hamburg State Opera/span>

A building steeped in history – and technology that makes great things possible every evening. Find out all about the theatre’s operations, the work behind the scenes and the rich history of the Hamburg State Opera. This exclusive behind-the-scenes tour offers insights into a world of theatre where tradition and precision craftsmanship continue to set the tone to this day. The tour will also cover the current status of plans for the new opera house in Hamburg and the associated challenges for theatre operations.

When: 7 October 2026, 2.00–3.30 pm
Meeting point: Stage entrance, Kleine Theaterstr. 25, 20354 Hamburg

Come to the Reeperbahn and get involved with the new media façade at the Klubhaus St. Pauli

Right in the heart of the Reeperbahn stands the Klubhaus St. Pauli: a hub for entertainment spread over six floors and home to Hamburg’s largest media façade. Participants will gain exclusive insights into the server room and the playback technology behind Innlights’ Green Signage LEDs, which were upgraded this summer. With intermediaPRISM, you’ll also have the opportunity to display content on the media façade live on site.
Afterwards, all participants are invited to the clubhouse for a drink – a chance to chat and reflect on the tour and the trade fair.

When: 7 October 2026, 6.30–7.30 pm
Meeting point: St. Pauli Clubhouse, Spielbudenplatz 27–28, 20359 Hamburg

MILLERNTOUR! – Stadium tour FC St. Pauli

Die MILLERNTOUR! offers an exclusive glimpse behind the scenes at the Millerntor Stadium and provides fascinating insights into over 100 years of the legendary FC St. Pauli’s history. Among other things, visitors can view the stadium’s new sound system. Holger Weitkämper, a design engineer from Air Akustik, will accompany the tour and will be on hand afterwards to answer any technical questions.

When: 8 October 2026, 9.00–10.30 am
Meeting point: tba

Limited-edition leat merchandise included

The backstage pass includes an exclusive Leat jumper in your chosen size. This limited-edition merchandise is an integral part of the backstage experience.