LIGHTFAIR International 2016 Breaks West Coast Attendance Records in San Diego

May 16, 2016

LIGHTFAIR International 2016 set new trade show floor and West Coast attendance records during its five-day run in San Diego Convention Center, according to Jeffrey L. Portman, Sr., vice chairman, president and COO of LFI managing partner AmericasMart Atlanta.

“The convergence of light and technology marked every dimension of LFI 2016 with new product introductions, new design concepts and new connectivity setting clear direction for the way forward,” Portman said. 

He added, “We expect our 2016 event to have transformative impact on the world of lighting design now and for years to come,” Portman notes.

The largest LFI trade show in its 27-year history totaled 269,680 net square feet, housing 617 exhibitors, including 102 first-time exhibiting companies and 117 manufacturers headquartered outside the U.S.

“The 2016 exhibitor and product mix has expanded as the industry evolves,” said Rochelle Richardson, LIGHTFAIR International vice president.

Registration increased to 27,628 to set a new West Coast show record, beating the 2014 record set in Las Vegas.

LIGHTFAIR International is the world’s largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference. It is sponsored by the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and produced by AmericasMart® Atlanta.

"Innovation at the trade show, as well as the exchange of ideas and knowledge in the Conference, gave us a clear vision of the state of the art in our industry, while providing relevant vision about its future.  It will be wonderful to discover what’s next in design in future editions of the show," said Victor Palacio, president, IALD.

LFI’s expanded trade show floor featured a product mix of 46 categories that included controls, decorative, alternative energy including solar power, software, exterior and roadway, digital signage, intelligent buildings, healthcare, hospitality and – new for 2016 – IoT (Internet of Things).

"Global product launches, the coming together of great industry minds and non-stop opportunities to connect with colleagues help drive the vitality and relevance of LIGHTFAIR year after year,” said Mark Roush, president, IES.  

He added, “LFI 2016 was the intersecting point for all things new in lighting products which affect lighting design practice.”

The LFI Innovation Awards® highlighted the best in new product innovation. LFI received 275 submissions from 142 companies and spanned 15 categories that were judged by an independent panel of lighting professionals.  

The 2016 LFI Conference curriculum offered 205.5 hours of education and contained 82 courses. LIGHTFAIR introduced the IoT & Smart Lighting Forum this year. Other new features included a Light & Health track, additional 60-Minute Sessions, a 90-minute off-site tour of the historical San Diego Trolley Station and simultaneous Spanish translation for eight Seminars.

Keynotes shared their vision for the future: Daniel Stromborg, Firmwide Product Design Practice Area Leader at Gensler, “The Power of Design from Macro to Micro” and Bjarke Ingels, founding partner of BIG Bjarke Ingels Group, “Social Infrastructure.”  Legends of Lighting Impact Speaker James Carpenter of James Carpenter Design Associates Inc. presented “The Substance of Light in the Public Realm.”

Events in The HUB brought together professionals from around the world to provide unique networking opportunities. Events included: “Happy Hour in The HUB,” “Community Connections: Architects, Designers & Lighting Designers Meet & Greet,” “Meet the Speakers Reception” and “Women in Lighting: An Open Dialogue Continued.”  

The New Exhibitor Pavilion also was a gathering place for viewing the latest innovations from first-time exhibitors while enjoying refreshments during special events each day during the trade show.

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Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.  Allegiant Stadium As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward? Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.