LIGHTFAIR International 2018 Breaks Records in Size and Participation
June 27, 2018
LIGHTFAIR International (LFI) set a new record at its 29thannual edition, held May 6-10 at McCormick Place in Chicago, with increased registration and a larger expo footprint compared to the year before.
Known as the world’s largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference, the event registered 28,075 attendees from 85 countries and boasted 600 exhibitors – including 66 first-time exhibiting companies and 136 manufacturers from outside the U.S. – spanning 285,600 net square feet of exhibition space.
Held annually in rotation between Chicago, Philadelphia and Las Vegas, LFI brings the industry’s newest and most advanced products and technologies to a global audience of lighting designers, specifiers, architects, consultants and engineers.
Last year at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, the event registered 27,939 attendees from 81 countries and attracted 592 exhibiting companies covering a 277,600 sq. ft. showfloor.
Sponsored by the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), the show is produced and managed by AmericasMart Atlanta.
Preceding and setting the stage for the trade show opening, the LFI Innovation Awards highlighted the industry’s most innovative products and designs introduced during the last 12 months. The Awards saw 238 entries from 108 exhibiting companies spanning 14 categories, with each submission judged by an independent panel of lighting professionals.
LFI’s expanded trade show floor featured a product mix of 47 categories that included controls, IoT (Internet of Things), decorative, alternative energy including solar power, software, site and roadway, digital signage, healthcare and hospitality, with exhibitors displaying the lighting and design industry’s latest innovations and newest concepts from the world’s leading manufacturers.
The Intelligent Lighting Pavilion and IoT Pavilion continued in their second year and displayed cutting-edge products and solutions showcased in product presentations featuring technology and connectivity innovations, while the New Exhibitor Pavilion offered a gathering place for viewing the latest innovations from first-time exhibitors while enjoying refreshments.
Premium education, inspiring speakers and networking opportunities abounded on and off LFI’s showfloor, including conference curriculum offering 150 hours of education containing 73 courses taught by 121 industry experts.
The brand-new Smart Cities Forum and the new courses in the Light & Health Forum covered the newest knowledge in those areas, with the show continuing to offer Spanish and Portuguese simultaneous translation for eight select seminars.
Two keynotes headlined the LFI Institute Pre-Conference, including Danielle Feinberg of Pixar Animation Studios and Hugh Herr from the Biomechatronics group at the MIT Media Lab, while new events in The HUB provided attendees with an array of exhibitor presentations, seminars and networking opportunities.
Other new events included “Networking Reception: Industry Professionals, Students and Emerging Professionals” and “Life Before and After a Lighting Designer: Why Hire a Lighting Designer?” sponsored by the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD).
On the third day of the show, the “Chicago Architectural Cruise” gave attendees the opportunity to explore the Windy City’s renowned architecture on a docent-led tour by the Chicago Architectural Foundation. On the next day, the “Student and Emerging Professional Roundtable” provided new industry professionals with valuable information and advice about navigating the beginning stages of their careers.
The popular LFI app provided attendees with a personalized schedule, tools to easily and quickly navigate the trade show floor, quick access to important event information and a networking feature to provide the ultimate on-site experience.
Attendees and exhibitors connected to LFI via social media during the event and videos released on YouTube captured the onsite show experience through highlights and attendee and exhibitor interviews.
The 30thannual LIGHTFAIR will return to the Pennsylvania Convention Center May 19-23.
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Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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