In Rome, set between the majestic ruins of the Baths of Caracalla and the breathtaking views from Villa Miani, a twice memorable celebration marked the 32nd anniversary of the ECA General Assembly, now operating under the name EFC – European Football Clubs.
The first part of the program took place at Villa Miani, where the association’s new name and logo were unveiled in an emotionally charged presentation. The second highlight followed with an opulent Celebration Dinner held at the Baths of Caracalla, captivating guests with live shows and performances. STS Communication was responsible for the complete delivery of the event, from scenic design and the coordination of artists and suppliers through to the precise management of all audiovisual content.
At the core of the lighting concept was the vision of lighting designer Sergio Cattaneo, whose artistic direction shaped every technical and scenographic decision.
The central challenge was to illuminate the historic site using mid-sized, IP65-rated LED washlights while achieving both uniform coverage and a strong sense of spatial depth – all while fully respecting the sensitivity of the historic environment. An initial planning phase had called for 120 fixtures. However, close collaboration between Sergio Cattaneo and the technical director of Lucidiscena, acting as technical partner to STS Communication, led to the development of a smarter and significantly more efficient approach.
The result was an optimized solution using 90 GLP impression X5 IP Maxx, which not only delivered the visual impact envisioned by the designer – and in some areas even surpassed it –, but also transformed the entire archaeological site into a lighting experience of powerful emotional resonance. This reduction in fixture count involved no compromise; on the contrary, it enhanced the overall concept. The 90 luminaires were positioned at ground level along the full length of the venue, creating a uniform, almost hypnotic architectural illumination.
Programming, which Sergio Cattaneo had already begun in the studio using precise timecode, was further refined on site. This process was supported by a redundant multimode fiber-optic ring, ensuring reliable networking of all fixtures. Within this setup, the GLP impression X5 IP Maxx stood out for their exceptional light quality, excellent color rendering and outstanding reliability. Despite a fixture count being reduced by a quarter compared to the initial plan, the units proved to perform exceptionally well. The resulting lighting design was not only efficient but also artistically sophisticated, enhancing both the live performances and the historic setting with elegance and remarkable precision.
The verdict was unanimous: all technicians involved praised the X5 IP Maxx for their striking visual impact. The fixtures transformed a corporate event into an experience that seamlessly combined sport, history and innovative lighting technology. As part of EFC Rome 2025, these fixtures did more than illuminate the Baths of Caracalla – they set new benchmarks for excellence in corporate lighting and high-performance IP65 washlights, ready to meet the demands of international stages of all kinds.
