LIGHTFAIR International (LFI) set a new record at its 29^thannual 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 30^thannual LIGHTFAIR will return to the Pennsylvania Convention Center May 19-23.

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