DALLAS, TX –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.
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.
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.
