Industry News

Dallas Market Center, the home of Lightovation, the largest residential lighting trade event in North America, has announced details for the January 7-10, 2021 edition of the show. As previously reported, the show has a new Thursday start date but still concludes on Sunday.

“As retailers plan ahead and meet the demands for residential design projects that are flourishing, this first show of the year is critically important to connect with colleagues, survey trends and place orders, said Cindy Morris, President and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “We are proudly supporting the business of lighting with a vast number of new collections and expanded exhibitors featuring stunning styles and technology.”

In addition to new collections debuting inside permanent showrooms across the marketplace, significant expansions will take place.

All together now. Minka Group debuts a massive new showroom on the fourth floor of the Trade Mart (4103). All of its brands will be located in a single location, including Minka-Lavery, Minka-Aire, Metropolitan Lighting Fixture Co., and George Kovacs.

Savoy House (TM 4901) has expanded its space by more than 70% to make room for a tremendous number of new collections across their stylish categories of chandeliers, ceiling and wall lights, pendants, outdoor lighting and ceiling fans.

Z-Lite (TM 4600) has also expanded. Since 1987, Z-Lite has been creating a beautiful array of quality interior and exterior residential lighting--all beautifully designed to suit a wide range of styles, from traditional to contemporary.

Matthews Fan Company (TM 4737) has doubled its square footage to showcase additional wall and ceiling collections.

More elegance from Elegant Furniture & Lighting (WTC 10080). The company’s World Trade Center showroom will be nearly triple its previous size to showcase the best in distinctive lighting and furnishings for residential and commercial projects. The company has also retained its footprint in the Trade Mart (3050).

Inside Light + Design on Ten, the first-ever smart home showroom that opened June 2019, Smarter Living by Design has been updated and expanded with new technologies. Anchored by Samsung and featuring a dozen other leading smart home brands, Smarter Living by Design now also includes the company’s Executive Briefing Center and an innovative new display for its popular Frame TVs. Smarter Living by Design is coordinated by HomeTronics, a local custom electronics integrator.

The 10^th floor now has additional smart home resources to educate lighting professionals. As previously announced, ProSource will open a smart lighting demo center in WTC 10040. The space will feature multiple residential rooms showcasing smart home systems and devices, including lighting products and applications, for the benefit of ProSource members and vendor partners. ProSource is the leading buying group for the custom electronics integrator market and represents more than 550 specialty retailers and custom integrators. The buying group already works with WAC Lighting and American Lighting, two lighting manufacturers among the more than 200 lighting brands with showrooms at Dallas Market Center.

Other new exhibitors will include Lucas + McKearn, which joins the Spectrum shared showroom (TM 4432-19) and debuts an exciting new bath lighting collection.

In addition to new showrooms and products, Lightovation is the lighting industry hub for networking. This edition of the show will have limited events. The SMART Center will be open as a reception space and information center but there will be no in-person seminars in January. The most notable networking opportunity at Lightovation is always the Lighting After Dark party, taking place this year in a socially distant manner on Thursday evening 6-9pm across Trade Mart 3 and 4 common areas. The theme is Texas Two Step, and all buyers, exhibitors and reps are welcome to enjoy food, drinks, and entertainment.

A new food outlet will open for the convenience of customers: The End Zone Sports Bar debuts in Trade Mart 4925. This is the latest addition to the food service locations across the marketplace, many of which offer to-go options and prepackaged items.

The Sheraton Dallas is the official Lightovation hotel and has designated rooms available for a special $139 rate. Shuttles to the Sheraton and other partner hotels will not be available in January; however, ride sharing options including special rates via Uber for Business: https://r.uber.com/r_ZqjlrU7JSN. The link is good for $2.00 off your Uber Ride every day in and out of market—valid Monday, January 4 to Monday, January 18 within a three-mile radius.

The annual ARTS Awards is being replaced by the HEARTS Awards, a one-time special event taking place on Friday, January 8. The HEARTS Awards is being held in partnership and solidarity with 13 leading industry organizations for the first time--to honor thirteen companies that have shown outstanding leadership, empathy and service during the COVID-19 pandemic by going above and beyond in service to their industry and/or community. Among the honorees is WAC Lighting, nominated by the American Lighting Association. For more information about the event and an online auction of plates artistically transformed by celebrities and influencers benefiting No Kid Hungry visit dallasmarketcenter.com/artsawards.

For customers unable to attend Lightovation, a virtual show will be available featuring the show’s exhibitors. Registered lighting buyers will be able to access this temporary online marketplace, which leverages DMC’s recently announced partnership with MarketTime, to track favorite products, make purchases and discover new trends. The virtual show will remain open through January 29 to allow in-person attendees to explore brands they may have missed and place additional orders. Additional details will be announced soon.

Two opportunities for recognition surrounding the June edition of Lightovation will soon be underway. The 12^th Annual Showroom of the Year Awards program, presented in partnership with Furniture Lighting & Decor magazine, will be accepting nominations beginning later this month through March 1, 2021. The Showroom of the Year Awards honor leading lighting retailers throughout North America. Lightovation attendees are invited to submit entries and nominations for the Showroom of the Year Awards at www.SOTYAwards.com. Nominations are also already being accepted for the Light Stars program, which honors top retail salespeople from across North America with complimentary travel to attend June Lightovation for the first time. Anyone in the industry may nominate a first-time attendee at http://dallasmarketcenter.com/lightstars.

Additional information about the largest residential lighting show in North America is available on the Lightovation page of the Dallas Market Center website. Keep up with the latest developments by following the #Lightovation hashtag on social media, via the Lightovation Facebook Page and 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, and fashion. Inside its dynamic, five million square foot campus near downtown Dallas, nearly 200,000 customers from all 50 states and 85 countries seek industry trends, business education and new products via open-daily showrooms and from exhibitors participating in trade events held throughout the year. The Dallas Market Center website is available at dallasmarketcenter.com.