Lightovation—Dallas International Lighting Show extended its leadership position and deepened connections between buyers and sellers while welcoming a record number of attendees to its most recent show at Dallas Market Center. The January event saw an increase in attendance by retail decision makers over last year, including a 22 percent increase in new buyers attending from the U.S.
During the five day event, buyers representing leading retail showrooms from throughout the western hemisphere reviewed a comprehensive collection of new products including the latest designs and technology across more than 1 million square feet dedicated to lighting.
New and expanded showrooms included Eurofase, Sonneman, Varaluz, Kuzco Lighting, Alora Lighting, Fanimation and Big Ass Fans. Nine new exhibitors and one expansion filled out the Spectrum shared showroom. In the Interior Home + Design Center, Visual Comfort Group increased its presence with an expansion in Taylors and a new Generation Lighting showroom.
“We are extremely pleased with the success of the must-attend global event for the business of lighting. Each January we create a dynamic intersection of commerce, innovation and inspiration,” said Cindy Morris, President and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “While setting a new benchmark for attendance we also delivered the complete experience including thousands of new products plus inspiring events and the legendary Dallas showroom parties, nightlife and local restaurants.”
Headlining the hundreds of market events, showroom receptions, promotions and seminars were keynotes inside the SMART Center, powered by Dallas Market Center and the American Lighting Assn. (ALA). The education portion of Lightovation kicked off with a pre-show keynote presentation by marketing expert Leslie Carothers on maximizing ROI using digital marketing tools followed by a three-part workshop series on Google My Business, Facebook and Instagram. Additional seminars, coordinated by ALA, included three 90-minute discussions on linear light sources, selecting recessed fixtures and lighting controls led by lighting designer Peter Romaniello.
On Friday evening, the 30th annual ARTS Awards took place to a capacity crowd, awarding the home industry’s highest honor across more than 20 categories including Lighting Showroom awards to Elements at Home (East/Atlantic Region), Southern Lights (Midwest/Southwest Region) and Urban Lighting (West Region); the Green Award to Hubbardton Forge; and lighting manufacturing awards to Regina Andrew (for Portable Lamps) and Hubbardton Forge (for Lighting Fixtures). Also noteworthy at ARTS from a lighting perspective were Sales Representative winners Brad Krieger (for Midwest/Southwest Region) and Martha Graham (for East/Atlantic Region).
Among the product highlights at this January’s event were designer collaborations including the highly-anticipated line from famed TV personality Ellen DeGeneres and Generation Lighting as well as a Thomas O’Brien collection with Generation Lighting; Progress Lighting’s collection with interior designer and Bravo TV's "Million Dollar Decorators" star Jeffrey Alan Marks; the collaboration between Mark D. Sikes and Hudson Valley Lighting appropriately named “Classics”; Corbett Lighting’s debut of its collection with multi-award winning interior designer and "Million Dollar Decorators" star Martyn Lawrence Bullard; and Kalco’s June Collection, which kicked off a new partnership with The Hollywood Reporter.
Looking ahead, make plans now to secure special rates in a new host hotel for the June show, the Hilton Anatole Hotel. Limited room blocks at a deeply discounted rate are available for retailers and sales representatives. In addition, nominate retail personnel who have never been to market before for the June 2019 Light Stars program, which enables top retail sales floor personnel to experience the largest lighting market in North America. Aside from rewarding hard-working and talented showroom employees, the Light Stars program enhances the perspective of the next generation of lighting retailers by exposing them to educational opportunities, display inspiration and a higher level of engagement with product introductions.
