Observation of LightFair … A Success

Lightfair

Nov 8, 2021

By David Gordon

Many in the lighting industry came together at the Javits Center in New York last week at LightFair, including yours truly who popped up there for a day. Here are some thoughts:

• While the show had less booths, 230, and there were many “name” manufacturers not present (Acuity, Eiko, Halco, MaxLite, Leviton (and its lighting brands), Legrand (and its lighting brands), Lutron, etc) , few missed the 100+ “overseas” booths that they never stopped in anyways. The absence of that distraction added to the quality of LightFair.

• The manufacturers in attendance were more architectural / specification-oriented in nature. While it only took me a couple of hours to walk the tradeshow, that is because I didn’t stop into booths to discuss products (better for those salespeople to engage with potential, and current, customers). Many of the booths were the type of lines that you find on a lighting agent line card, but whom I was not familiar (few would be on a NEMRA / supply rep line card.)

• There were few residentially oriented lines

• Saw some solar lighting companies, a number of horticultural lighting companies, some control lines, and interesting software company called LumenBuilder that helps specifiers, contractors and distributors with spec sheets (and can help with value engineering / maintaining performance specs – and they have 5-6M lighting SKUs)

• Many commercial / industrial lines and name brand control lines were missing, however, if you were a distributor, aside from not seeing a familiar name, you are called on by reps / lighting agents for these lines regularly. The only reason for them to have booths is they are visible by their absence and if they are trying to reach the specifier audience.

• Wednesday morning many booths were busy. In the afternoon more booth personnel were catching up on email and having “company collaboration sessions.”

• I have no idea on attendance at the educational sessions … and there wasn’t any floor buzz about them nor people rushing out of the tradeshow area to get to an educational session.
• According to a source, there were about 7200-7500 registrants (not attendees).

I met with some I know who felt the show was very productive. Others I’ve heard from felt that it wasn’t as they weren’t able to connect with manufacturers that they wanted to and have meetings.

According to LightFair, a number of NYC lighting designers came to the show, probably for a day, to check out manufacturers … which is a huge win for those manufacturers as doubtful those people would have travelled for a few days. And kudos to LightFair engaging a target audience to drive traffic to make the investment by manufacturers viable.

While the day in NYC, from a personal viewpoint, was beneficial (seeing some people, some possible opportunities), I walked the show with a questioning feeling. I didn’t have a sense of the target audience for the show. When I asked others, each had their viewpoint of what they wanted to accomplish, which is appropriate, but the question becomes, what is LightFair’s primary purpose … their primary audience?

I was of the impression, and maybe this is dated, that LightFair was a tradeshow to attract lighting designers and was a venue for manufacturers to gain increased awareness (or launch) new products. But the lighting designer (decision maker) was the target. Nowadays we could add design/build contractors to the same category (and to this point maybe LightFair should engage more with contractors in general and specifically NECA and IEC.)

If distributor personnel are charged with product recommendations in the design phase, then yes, an appropriate venue. And I can see lighting agents supporting their lines, especially niche lines, whom they may not see regularly.

But this is a tradeshow where the focus is on product presentation (with educational sessions to support the event). It’s not networking or planning events like an NAED conference. (And yes, networking does, and should occur as “meet and greet”, just not an hour planning session.)

Personally, I think LightFair needs to hone its message and help set exhibitor expectations, otherwise it is destined to become a regional show. (Las Vegas will attract West Coast people and those from the East who will consider it a personal / business trip and NYC will be dominated by Northeast designers). There is a “panache” that is missing to LightFair.

The show audience is important as it dictates what type of booth exhibitors should have. While some of the largest companies had booth areas designed for “meet and greet” with little product on display … realistically, people know their products and unless they had something knew, why go to the expense (and NYC is expensive). After all, this is why they have a sales organization. With technology, other presentation tools can be used. For those with more “commodity” products, they don’t need to bring their entire line-up.

Overall, LightFair was a success. Thousands of people attended. 230 manufacturers generated visibility and leads that will hopefully generate opportunities. People were educated. Lighting knowledge and insights were shared. People were able to connect, and NYC generated some tourist dollars!

And if those 100+ “overseas” booths don’t come back, many, other than LightFair for the revenue, wouldn’t miss them. Sometimes smaller is better.

The next LightFair is June 2022 in Las Vegas. Will you be there?

Source : https://electricaltrends.com

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • Current Names Steve Harris As New CEO, Barry Webb As New CFO May 2023

    June 7, 2023 Harris and Webb will focus on improving the company’s ease of doing business and continue Current’s mission of putting the customer first with the industry’s most expansive portfolio of lighting and control products. Current announced today that Steve Harris has been appointed as the new CEO of the company, effective May 30, 2023. An experienced business… Read More…

  • Eureka Lighting Wins Best of the Best Red Dot Award for Tangram-Trace

    June 7, 2023 Eureka, an established leader in decorative lighting solutions, is pleased to announce its Tangram-Trace luminaire was awarded the Red Dot: Best of the Best distinction in the 2023 Product Design competition. Tangram-Cut, Tangram-Essential, Tangram-Tact, and Arena luminaires also received 2023 Red Dot Awards for Product Design. While Eureka has been honored with… Read More…


Design

  • Gros Horloge Brought to Life by Lumenpulse Luminaires

    Gros Horloge Brought to Life by Lumenpulse Luminaires

    June 5, 2023 The intricate and ornate details of the Gros Horloge are brought to three-dimension life in the nightscape of Rouen thanks to the outputs, optics, and integrity of the Lumenpulse luminaires used in its lighting design. Location: Rouen, France Market: Arts + Culture Photographer: Xavier Boymond Partner: Eclipse Diffusion More information available here Related Article Lumenpulse Announces… Read More…

  • Captivating Hospitality Lighting: Inspiration & Ideas from MP Lighting

    Captivating Hospitality Lighting: Inspiration & Ideas from MP Lighting

    June 1, 2023 Great ambiance can only be created by great luminaires, and lighting has a huge role when it comes to guest experience in the hospitality industry. A well-lit lobby with task lighting is both functional – as guests need to check in, look over documents and sign them – and visually appealing –… Read More…


New Products

  • Discover the Low Profile Blink Pro Surface Mounted Downlight from Satco Nuvo

    Discover the Low Profile Blink Pro Surface Mounted Downlight from Satco Nuvo

    June 7, 2023 Setting the Standard in Professional Lighting Form follows function in almost all rules of design. From designer aesthetics to “state-of-the-art” technology, Blink embodies this concept entirely. Contemporary yet familiar, Blink is a versatile offering, suitable for nearly every environment. Encompassed in the sophisticated driver platform, advanced line conditioners and EMI filters ensure… Read More…

  • Eureka Lighting Wins Best of the Best Red Dot Award for Tangram-Trace

    Eureka Lighting Wins Best of the Best Red Dot Award for Tangram-Trace

    June 7, 2023 Eureka, an established leader in decorative lighting solutions, is pleased to announce its Tangram-Trace luminaire was awarded the Red Dot: Best of the Best distinction in the 2023 Product Design competition. Tangram-Cut, Tangram-Essential, Tangram-Tact, and Arena luminaires also received 2023 Red Dot Awards for Product Design. While Eureka has been honored with… Read More…