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.