Dallas Market Center, the home of Lightovation, has announced that the lighting market will shift from January 7-10, 2021 to March 23-26, 2021. The June edition of Lightovation will continue to take place as scheduled June 23-26.
January Total Home & Gift Market (January 6-12) and other previously scheduled January trade events at Dallas Market Center will continue on schedule. The March edition of Lightovation will take place together with the spring edition of Total Home & Gift Market to allow for full exploration of DMC’s campus and buying opportunities in home décor and other categories.
The new Lightovation dates were determined after consultation with lighting exhibitors and evaluation of travel restrictions recently enacted in key states as well as international travel limitations. Lightovation serves as a primary buying event for retailers throughout North America, attracting buyers from all 50 states, eight Canadian provinces and more than 20 countries.
All Lightovation buyers will be contacted informing them of the date shift and to assist with travel changes including moving reservations to March. The official 2021 dates for Lightovation are March 23-26 and June 23-26.
“This decision was not an easy one but the right one for lighting retailers located across North America, Canada, Central America and beyond,” said Cindy Morris, President and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “For eight months we have held successful events serving buyers, and we are confident in our ability to continue to stage safe and inspiring shows. However, by shifting to March we will better serve global customers able to travel more easily. We look forward to seeing everyone in person in the spring.”
Even though the in-person Lightovation will not take place, a virtual show will be available featuring new introductions from more than 70 of the show’s exhibitors. Registered lighting buyers will be able to access this temporary online marketplace, which leverages DMC’s recently announced partnership with MarketTime, to discover new products and place orders. The virtual show will remain open for several weeks. Additional details will be announced soon.
Two opportunities for recognition surrounding June Lightovation are underway. The 12th Annual Showroom of the Year Awards program, presented in partnership with Furniture Lighting & Decor magazine, is accepting nominations through March 1, 2021. The Showroom of the Year Awards honor leading lighting retailers throughout North America. Lightovation attendees are invited to submit entries and nominations for the Showroom of the Year Awards at www.SOTYAwards.com. Nominations are also being accepted for the Light Stars program, which honors top retail salespeople from across North America with complimentary travel to attend June Lightovation for the first time. Anyone in the industry may nominate a first-time attendee at http://dallasmarketcenter.com/lightstars.
Supporting the comfort, health and safety of all attendees, the market center continues measures that include mandatory face coverings and temperature screenings for every person entering the marketplace every day. Other efforts include spacing of temporary exhibitors, enhanced cleaning with hospital-grade products, hundreds of hand-sanitizing stations, limited food service, no gatherings and signage for social distancing. 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 to each floor, and showrooms with controlled access to allow for the appropriate distance between customers.
Additional information about the Lightovation is available on the Lightovation page of the Dallas Market Center website. Keep up with the latest developments by following the #Lightovation hashtag on social media, via the Lightovation Facebook Page and Lightovation - Lighting Industry Discussion Group.
