January 2020 Lightovation Recap:
A Record-Setting Event With More Buyers, Product Launches, and Business Insights
DALLAS – February 3, 2020 – Lightovation—Dallas International Lighting Show once again capitalized upon its leadership position as the largest residential lighting trade event in North America as it welcomed more customers, celebrated new exhibitors and inspired lighting retailer success at a record-setting edition of the show at Dallas Market Center. The January event saw an increase in attendance by retail decision makers over last year, including a dramatic 29% increase in stores attending for the first time.
During the five-day event, buyers representing leading retail showrooms from all 50 states, Mexico and eight provinces in Canada reviewed a comprehensive collection of new products including the latest designs and technology across more than 1 million square feet dedicated to lighting.
New showrooms included Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting, Acuity Brands, Accord Lighting, Beacon Lighting, Artika, Kanova & Co. and Viz Glass. Expansions were unveiled from SONNEMAN—A Way of Light, Terracotta Designs, Ulextra, and DALS Lighting, which also relocated to an atrium showroom nearly tripling the company’s size at Lightovation. Six new brands debuted in the popular Spectrum shared showroom (TM 4432): Aeratron, Clark Communications Group, DDI System, SPECTRA Marketing Group, Windward Software and XO Logic.
“The January 2020 edition of Lightovation was a sweeping success thanks to the ongoing commitment of our exhibitors and the enthusiasm of attendees,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “It’s critically important to welcome new buyers to the show, and we were thrilled with the number of first-time attendees who joined loyal buyers to see thousands of new products plus inspiring events and the legendary Dallas showroom parties and nightlife.”
Added Rene Quintana, principal, Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting: “It was truly exciting to return to Lightovation. We were very warmly greeted by customers, reps and peers alike. The comments on our new showroom were extremely positive with everyone loving the direction in which we’re taking the brand. Attendance was very good, and we’re excited about the new product that will be displayed with our valued partners across the country from this market presence.”
Said Josh Weiss, EVP of Tech lighting: “Once again, Lightovation provided us with the ideal opportunity to connect with our reps and customers. We couldn’t be more thrilled by the reception of our 2020 new products. Lightovation finished just as well as it started as Sean Lavin, our Chief Design Officer, took home the ARTS Award for Product Designer of the Year. He was honored and humbled, and our whole organization was ecstatic.”
Robert Sonneman, founder and creative director, SONNEMAN—A Way of Light commented: "Lightovation 2020 was a major milestone for Sonneman as we expanded our showroom by 3,000 square feet and launched 180 new products. We couldn't be happier with the success of this year's show, from the talented members of the design community who walked through our doors to the excellent support of our partners at the Dallas Market Center."
SONNEMAN—A Way of Light was one of two Lightovation winners of Dallas Market Center’s Visual Presentation Awards, which honor exceptional exhibitor displays on each floor. SONNEMAN earned the award for the Trade Mart’s fourth floor, while the third floor award went to DALS.
Headlining the market events were keynotes inside The SMART Center, powered by Dallas Market Center and the American Lighting Association (ALA). The education portion of Lightovation kicked-off with David Rendall delivering two presentation on uniqueness and differentiation. Leslie Carothers returned for digital strategy sessions; Peter Romaniello delivered technical presentations; and interior designer Glen Boudreaux held a session on transparency and ethics.
On Friday evening, the 31st Annual ARTS Awards took place to a capacity crowd, awarding the home industry’s highest honor across more than 20 categories including Lighting Showroom awards to Chloe Winston Lighting Design (East/Atlantic Region), Idlewood Electric Supply (Midwest/Southwest Region), and Western Montana Lighting (West Region); the Green Award to Currey & Co.; and lighting manufacturing awards to Visual Comfort & Co. (for Lamps) and Currey & Co. (for Lighting Fixtures).
With a new night on Thursday evening, the most notable networking opportunity was the all-industry Lighting After Dark party, which featured a sci-fi theme and transformed the Chaparral Room of the Sheraton Dallas Hotel for hundreds of party-goers.
Working with the American Lighting Association, special networking events were held including the Women in the Lighting reception hosted by Progress Lighting and the Cheers with Peers Young Executives networking event hosted by DMC in The SMART Center.
Lightovation took place concurrently with Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, which also saw strong traffic and sustained order writing. No other wholesale trade event in the U.S. offers the opportunity to discover more new products and best-selling lighting, along with home décor, gifts, holiday and floral, housewares and gourmet, and artisan products.
Looking ahead, make plans now to secure special rates for the June show. Limited blocks of rooms at a deeply discounted rate are available for retailers and sales representatives at the Sheraton through February 12. Click here for more information, or click here to see all available hotels.
In addition, anyone in the industry may nominate retail personnel who have never been to market before for the June 2020 Light Stars program, which enables top retail sales floor personnel to experience the largest lighting market in North America. Aside from rewarding hard-working and talented showroom employees, the Light Stars program enhances the perspective of the next generation of lighting retailing by exposing them to educational opportunities, display inspiration and a higher level of engagement with product introductions. Details are available here.
In partnership with Furniture, Lighting & Décor magazine, nominations are underway for the 11th annual Lighting Showroom of the Year Awards, honoring independent lighting retailers across North America. The awards presentation takes place in Dallas in June. Details are available here.
Dallas Market Center offers buyers from around the world the only complete marketplace of best-selling and unique products in temporary and permanent showrooms including the largest residential lighting trade event in North America; the largest and most successful open-daily design center; dominant trade events for gift, home décor, holiday and floral; and the nation’s most comprehensive apparel and accessories marketplace featuring the latest styles from East Coast and West Coast designers.
The marketplace serves retailers and interior designers from all 50 states and 85 countries and is located in the strongest economic zone in the country. In addition, more than 80 percent of Dallas Market Center buyers report that they do not shop other market centers.
To make plans for upcoming markets, visit the Dallas Market Center website and download the Dallas Market Center and Lightovation apps. Also, keep up-to-date on all information by visiting the Lightovation Facebook page as well as Lightovation Industry Discussion Group.
About Dallas Market Center
Dallas Market Center is a global business-to-business trade center and the leading wholesale marketplace in North America connecting retailers and interior designers with top manufacturers in home décor, furniture, gifts, lighting and fashion. Inside its dynamic, five million square foot campus, nearly 200,000 customers from all 50 states and 85 countries seek industry trends, business education and new products from exhibitors throughout the year via dominant trade events for gift, home décor, holiday and floral; the nation’s most comprehensive apparel and accessories markets featuring the latest styles from East Coast and West Coast designers; the largest residential lighting trade event in North America; and the largest and most successful open-daily design center. The marketplace is located in the strongest economic zone in the country. In addition, more than 80 percent of Dallas Market Center buyers report that they do not shop other market centers. To make plans for upcoming markets, visit the Dallas Market Center website and download the Dallas Market Center and Lightovation Apps. Also, keep up-to-date on all information by visiting Dallas Market Center on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and the Dallas Market Center blog.
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