June 2019 Lightovation Delivers Big Insights and Inspiration
—global attendance at the largest residential lighting show in North America experiences new products, captivating keynotes, and premier awards—
DALLAS – July 25, 2019 –Dallas Market Center welcomed buyers from around the world during the summer edition of Lightovation: Dallas International Lighting Show (June 19-22). The four-day event featured new products across all lighting categories, along with presentations from business thought leaders, special awards programs, and business inspiration.
“Working with hundreds of exhibitors we created a summer show filled with the new products, enterprise tools, and motivation to advance businesses and help them stay ahead of the competition,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “It’s more important than ever for retailers to experience our summer Lightovation in order to gain insights, make deeper connections, and create a year-round business strategy.”
Honoring Top Salespeople
Among the newest attendees of Lightovation were 65 members of the Light Stars, top retail salespeople from across the United States and Canada who would not otherwise have the opportunity to experience the largest residential lighting show in North America. Get a head start on next year’s class of Light Stars by nominating someone for the 2020 program at www.dallasmarketcenter.com/lightstars.
Lighting One Extends Dallas Commitment
Solidifying Dallas as the international home of lighting, Lighting One hosted its annual Convention at the Hilton Anatole and celebrated 20 years of supporting independent lighting showrooms. Fireworks commemorated the anniversary and the opening of Lightovation. Lighting One has been hosting its annual Convention in Dallas in tandem with the June edition of Lightovation for the past six years and recently confirmed that it will continue to do so through 2024.
The SMART Center Continues to Educate
Now in its second year, The SMART Center served as a hub for valuable educational opportunities in partnership with the American Lighting Association (ALA). For June 2019, popular ALA Conference speaker David Avrin delivered a packed keynote session on the subject of customer experience, as well as a follow-up session and a book signing. Digital marketing and social media expert Leslie Carothers also returned to help lighting retailers and other professionals compete in the age of Amazon and maximize return from their online assets. Finally, Joe Rey_Barreau and Mark Okun offered lighting application and sales strategy insights.
New Products and Market Choice Awards
The marketplace showcased a record 129 new product introductions competing for buyer votes in the annual Market Choice Awards, sponsored by enLIGHTenment magazine. New for this year was the Editor’s Choice Award, selected by editor-in-chief Linda Longo. Market Choice winners were:
· Bath: Delaney by Savoy House
· Ceiling Fans: i6 by Big Ass Fans
· Chandeliers & Pendants: Rinkle by ET2
· Outdoor: Taper by Hinkley Lighting
· Portable Lamps: Goliath by Robert Abbey
· Technology: Wi-Fi Smart Panel Light by DALS
· Editor’s Choice: Glacier by Hammerton Studio by Hammerton
Smart Home Showroom Grand Opening
Guests celebrated the opening of Smarter Living by Design, the first smart home showroom in North America. The open-daily showcase, located inside Light + Design on Ten in the World Trade Center (WTC 10085), features best-in-class brands spanning home technology categories from premier lighting, sound and appliances to artificial intelligence and demonstrates how technology can seamlessly and stylishly integrate into the modern home. Anchored by Samsung, the showcase is coordinated by HomeTronics, a Dallas-based custom electronics integrator and features a series of five custom-built lifestyle vignettes. The space is open daily.
Showroom of the Year Awards
The only awards program in North America dedicated to lighting retailers, The Showroom of the Year Awards, commemorated its 10th edition. Presented in partnership with Furniture Lighting & Décor magazine, the event was held in in the Wedgwood Foyer at the Hilton Anatole hotel. Winners announced were:
· Revenue Under $2 Million: Coventry Lighting & Design Center, Canfield, OH
· Revenue Under $5 Million: B.A. Robinson Co. Ltd., Penticton, British Columbia
· Revenue $5 Million and Over: Lights Fantastic Pro, Lewisville, TX
· Outstanding Merchandising Display: Springhaus, Timnath, CO
· Exceptional Community Involvement: Idlewood Electric, Highland Park, IL
· Social Media Star: Springhaus,Timnath, CO
Lighting After Dark: The Legendary All-Market Party
Hundreds of revelers celebrated late into the night at the Lighting After Dark party, which followed The Showroom of the Year Awards. The decadent mashup of the Palace of Versailles and the disco era included period costumes, entertainment, food, drink, and dancing.
Special Groups
Two networking groups held special events in association with the American Lighting Association (ALA). The Minka Group hosted the Women in Lighting reception on June 19 and welcomed dozens of leaders in all segments of the lighting industry and all levels of experience. And ALA’s Young Executives group teamed up again with the Under 40 group of ART – The Creative Home Furnishings Network for Beers With Peers on Thursday, June 20.
Plan ahead for January 2020 when a new, earlier date pattern for Lightovation will mean a head start on business for the new year. Lightovation will take place January 8-12, 2020 and the Lighting After Dark party will take place on Thursday evening. Register for the show here: http://dallasmarketcenter.com/markets/lightovation. Competitive rates are available for the newly renovated Sheraton downtown host hotel via the following link: https://dallasmarketcenter.com/hotelandtravel/hotel2.aspx?m=1098&h=48
Also, keep up-to-date by following the #Lightovation hashtag on social media, visiting the Lightovation Facebook page and joining the Lightovation Lighting 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 lighting, home décor, furniture, gifts, apparel, and accessories. Inside its dynamic, five million square foot campus, nearly 200,000 customers from all 50 states and 85 countries seek new products, industry trends, networking, and business education 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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