Dallas Market Center, home of the largest residential lighting marketplace in North America, has announced Dallas Lighting Expo will take place August 19-21, 2020. The event is an opportunity for exhibitors to highlight new products in advance of the January 7-10, 2021 edition of Lightovation, the largest showcase of new lighting and ceiling fan products for the year.
Dallas Lighting Expo, which has a growing list of more than 25 companies committed to participating, runs concurrently with the Total Home & Gift Market, August 19-25, to enable crossover buying for both audiences. Strict health and safety measures will be followed during the show, including masks, temperature checks, and social distancing.
To gauge buyer interest in a second lighting event for 2020, Dallas Market Center conducted a survey of lighting retailers. Enthusiasm for participation was particularly strong in Texas and surrounding states. Exhibitor participation is voluntary on the third and fourth floors of the Trade Mart, with commitments continuing to be confirmed.
The summer edition of Lightovation was previously cancelled amidst concerns about the pandemic. However, as retail re-opens and as many Lightovation exhibitors seek a live platform for mid-2020 introductions, this event will meet increasing demand.
“Retailers, especially ones located in this part of the country, are eager to review what’s new and to place orders months in advance of the next Lightovation show,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “Based upon their feedback and in cooperation with lighting exhibitors, we’re creating this concise event that will help support retail as it ramps back up.”
The growing list of participating exhibitors includes:
AFX Inc., TM 4713; Allegri Crystal by Kalco, TM 4915; Avant Designs, TM 4432.11; B&P Lamp Supply, TM 4432-02; Corbett Lighting, TM 3902; Crystorama Lighting, TM 3503; Dale Tiffany, WTC 309; ELK Lighting, TM 3606; Eurofase, TM 4002; Fanimation, TM 4943; Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting, TM 4705; George Kovacs, TM 3725; Hinkley, TM 3210; Hudson Valley Lighting, TM 3902; James R. Moder Crystal Chandelier Inc., WTC 303-1; Kalco Lighting, TM 3303; Lantern & Scroll, IHDC 1D202 Gallery 08 and TM 4432.14; Luminance, TM 3135; Metropolitan Lighting Fixture Co., TM 3783; Minka Aire and Minka Lavery, TM 3725; Mitzi, TM 3902; Norwell, TM 3531; NUVO, TM 4942; Progress Lighting, TM 3840; Quorum International/Oxygen, TM 3004/3111; SATCO | Savoy House, TM 4901; Thomas Lighting, TM 3664; Troy Lighting, TM 3902; Viz Glass, TM 4509; and Z-Lite, TM 4600.
“Having a summer show is a tremendous opportunity for us to showcase new products and to reach customers ready to place orders,” said Troy Lee, president of Savoy House. “We are confident in the safety measures put in place in Dallas, and we look forward to having a successful event.”
In addition to select Lightovation exhibitors in the Trade Mart, a number of lighting resources within the Total Home & Gift Market will also be open, such as Currey & Company, Uttermost and the Visual Comfort Group.
Buyers will have additional opportunities to discover non-lighting categories, a benefit underscored by previous buyer surveys, where 93% of lighting buyers indicated that they carried home accessories and 76% said they found it beneficial to be able to shop both shows during the same trip.
Comprehensive health and safety measures will be in place for the show to ensure that Dallas Market Center promotes good health and strict social distancing. New guidelines are outlined on the front page of the website and include behaviors such as wearing masks and social distancing as well as operational changes such as temperature checks for every person entering the marketplace, deep cleaning, no gatherings, as well as food options limited to individually packaged and to-go service from multiple outlets.
Along with these new steps, there are safety measures that are part of the design of the marketplace: open parking, large entryways, quick registration in multiple areas, wide hallways, multiple escalators, and showrooms with controlled access to allow for the appropriate distance between customers. Likewise, everyone should follow the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control regarding good hygiene, sanitation, and social distancing.
Special host hotel rates are available for the show in a limited quantity and exclusively at the Hilton Anatole. Buyers have a $129 rate and $159 will be the discounted rate for all others. To take advantage of this special rate, contact Market Travel via the Dallas Market Center website or at 214-744-7444.
Luminary program members will also qualify for earned hotel rebates during the Dallas Lighting Expo, and attending the Expo will contribute to their Luminary status level for future Lightovation shows. Luminary members who do not attend the Expo will still retain their current status and will not be penalized for missing the show.
The January 2021 edition of Lightovation will take place January 7-10 with a Thursday to Sunday date pattern. The January 2020 edition of Lightovation was one of the most successful in several years—welcoming more retail decision makers than the previous year, including a dramatic 29% increase in stores attending for the first time. Buyers representing leading retail showrooms from all 50 states, Mexico and eight provinces in Canada reviewed a comprehensive collection of new products including the latest designs and technology.
