The 2023 LightFair Trade Show and Conference was a resounding success, attracting more than 11,500 attendees from around the world. The event took place from May 21 to May 25 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. Show Director Dan Darby expressed his enthusiasm for the event, highlighting the over 100 Conference sessions, 30+ exhibit floor educational opportunities, and more than 320 Tradeshow exhibits, indicating the event’s growth and importance in the lighting industry.
The attendees came from diverse backgrounds, with representation from 70 countries and 49 states, reflecting the event’s international appeal. LightFair’s collaboration with the International Contemporary Furniture Fair and the NYCxDesign design festival added to its prestige and drew a wide range of participants.
The Trade Show kicked off with great anticipation, as attendees flocked to the event as early as 8:00 a.m. on the opening day. Quality connections and interactions were reported, as brands, specifiers, designers, and architects engaged with attendees from the moment the Trade Show opened. Manufacturers like GVA Lighting and Bold Lighting were pleased with the quantity and quality of attendees, with specific interests in their niche architectural lighting products and technologies.
Attendees also took to social media to share their positive experiences and the value they gained from LightFair 2023. They expressed their excitement for the innovative technologies on display and the inspiration they found at the event, emphasizing the importance of the connections made and knowledge gained.
The on-floor events and education at LightFair, organized by the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), were well-received. Attendees were eager to learn about the latest design and outdoor lighting trends, in addition to enjoying networking opportunities and tours.
A significant highlight of the 2023 event was the introduction of Immersive Lighting Installations (ILIs), which encouraged attendees to explore new approaches to using lighting in various projects, enhancing the design-focused aspect of the Trade Show.
Overall, the 2023 LightFair Trade Show and Conference provided a platform for education, discovery, and networking in the lighting industry, solidifying its place as a must-attend event for professionals in the field. The event’s growth, international reach, and innovative additions like ILIs make it a valuable resource for those interested in the latest developments in lighting design and technology.
Winning ILI team Traxon e:Cue and Tillotson Design Associates.
For the first ILIs, seven design teams were asked to create installations based on the “Circular Economy” theme. The winning installation, called “Seeds of Light,” was a collaboration between Traxon e:cue and Tillotson Design Associates.
The LightFair Conference featured a record-breaking number of sessions, more than a hundred in total, organized by the IES. The sessions, ranging from one hour to full-day events, attracted a large audience and received praise for covering a wide range of lighting topics in depth.
Jean Bonander, a government official and member of the California Street Lighting Association, commented, “I attended several sessions focusing on sustainability, recycling, and end-of-life concerns, which are crucial to my work. I’m leaving with new ideas and a fresh perspective on how to approach things differently.”
Daniel Blitzer, a presenter at the conference and principal of The Practical Lighting Workshop, said, “We had participants from various areas of the lighting and controls industry, including both newcomers and seasoned professionals. Our workshop and presentation were tailored specifically for Lightfair 2023, and I believe the audience appreciated the up-to-date and relevant content. The questions and feedback we received during the sessions were incredibly valuable.”
Lightfair 2023 Conference attendees learn the latest in lighting from live education.
The LightFair Conference, organized by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), featured five distinct educational tracks: Art, Business, Process, Science, and Technology. Many of these sessions placed a strong emphasis on lighting sustainability, and they were well-received and well-attended by conference participants.
Colleen Harper, CEO and Executive Director of IES, expressed her excitement about the energy and success of LightFair. She highlighted the new components introduced in 2023, including a robust conference program that aligned with IES’s educational priorities. The curation of the conference program was led by IES Director of Education and Standards, Brienne Musselman. These developments set the stage for a promising future for LightFair, and IES is already looking forward to the 2025 edition.
In an effort to meet the evolving needs of the industry, LightFair has transitioned to a biennial schedule starting from its 2023 edition. The specific dates and location for the 2025 edition, as well as any interim activities in between the biennial markets, will be determined based on feedback gathered through post-show surveys from exhibitors and attendees of the 2023 event.
Show Director Dan Darby emphasized the importance of listening to the industry and being responsive to its changing requirements. This transition to a biennial schedule is a significant step in that direction, and the planning for LightFair 2025 will be tailored to best serve the industry’s needs, with valuable input from the feedback received through the surveys.
