Industry News

Lightovation, one of the largest lighting trade events to take place anywhere in the world in the last two years, welcomed buyers from across the U.S. to showrooms and events at Dallas Market Center from January 6-9, 2022. The winter show delivered more than 200 leading brands across its 1 million square foot lighting marketplace.

Attendance at the four-day event was approximately 70% of a typical January edition of Lightovation, which attracts the top lighting retailers from all 50 states and more than a dozen countries.

“This edition of the show united the industry and inspired retailers for the year ahead,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “There is no substitute for in-person events, and retailers were eager to review new collections including significant designer collaborations across the marketplace and to place orders for new merchandise. We also celebrated company milestones, awarded top retailers with recognition for their leadership, and shared insights into important trends.”

Among the new showrooms at the event were Acrosentec, Norwell Manufacturing Company and  Wind River Ceiling Fans, and new exhibitors in the Spectrum shared showroom were Aptations, Arnsberg, GE Lighting/Savant, Jach Lighting, Social Lighting and Verozza. Avenue Lighting also more than doubled its showroom footprint at Lightovation, and Maxim Group Companies, Hudson Valley Lighting and Quorum International had major renovations.

“During these difficult times, Lightovation brought us together to inspire and rekindle our collective, creative flame,” said Chris Titizian, president, Avenue Lighting. “We were incredibly honored and humbled by the positive feedback we received on both our showroom expansion and our new introductions. We hope to carry the same energy from our grand re-opening into the rest of our year. There are always new things in the works here at Avenue Lighting and we can’t wait until the next big reveal at the June 2022 Lightovation!”

Hinkley’s Century of Style event commemorated its 100^th anniversary, while other exhibitors also marked milestones with toasts and hospitality: 40^th anniversaries for Golden Lighting, Minka Group and Quorum International; a 30^th anniversary for Matthews Fan Co.; and the 25^th anniversary for Accord Lighting.

"Thanks to all who joined us as we celebrated not only our 40^th anniversary but also our newly remodeled showroom,” said Jose Lopez, president of Quorum International. “We are more than ever committed to doing what we do best, designing and manufacturing the lighting products that our customers want to buy.  Our mission has been and will continue as always to light the way, move air and decorate spaces.”

New collections included a follow-up collection by Jeffery Alan Marks for Progress Lighting which marked the designer’s first foray into outdoor lighting; Maxim welcomed a new collaboration with Nina Magon for Studio M and another designer collaboration with Mat Sanders; Kalco Lighting introduced an exciting new collection with interior designer Vanessa De Leon called ILUMINE; Minka Group launched a collaboration with interior designer Robin Baron; and Taylors – Visual Comfort & Tech Lighting welcomed several new collections: surface design company Hable at Taylors, lighting designs from Avroko, Kelly Wearstler, Mick De Giulio, and Sean Lavin for Tech Lighting and Visual Comfort introduced lighting from designer Paloma Contreras.

A comprehensive trend report encompassing major directions in home decor, architecture, building and remodeling debuted at the show. The printed report was accompanied by four large-scale displays illustrating the trends and a panel presentation with award-winning trend ambassador Patti Carpenter and dynamic lighting designer Randall Whitehead moderated by Furniture Lighting & Decor editor-in-chief Diane Falvey. Additionally, the American Lighting Association (ALA) hosted two Certified Lighting Consultant (CLC®) accredited lighting application seminars with lighting designer Peter Romaniello.

“The Lightovation show is always amazing,” said Drew Mihelish, owner, Western Montana Lighting. “I love seeing new product, visiting with friends in the industry and building long-lasting relationships with companies. We went to the trend seminar with Patti Carpenter, and I found that extremely beneficial.  It was an uplifting, great presentation and I took away a lot from that.”

Held in collaboration with ALA, the Lighting After Dark party on Thursday evening celebrated ALA’s upcoming September 2022 Conference in Austin, TX. Hundreds of guests enjoyed  live music from the Emerald City Band, food and drink, plus Conference-related giveaways and other prizes.

The 32^nd ARTS Awards gala returned on Friday, January 7 at the Hilton Anatole hotel, hosted by Thom Filicia and Carson Kressley. The ARTS Awards is the premier international awards program dedicated to home industry excellence and achievement, hosted by Dallas Market Center and ART – The Creative Home Furnishings Network. Honorees in lighting categories included lighting showroom winners from the East/Atlantic, Hermitage Design Center from Nashville, Tennessee; from the Midwest/Southwest, Southern Lights from Burnsville, Minnesota; and from the West, Black Whale Home from Encinitas, California. In the manufacturer categories, the recipient for Lighting Fixtures was Hubbardton Forge.

Supporting the comfort, health and safety of all attendees, the market center continued measures that include asking all customers to follow the Dallas County mandate for face coverings. Other efforts include enhanced cleaning with hospital grade products and hundreds of hand sanitizing stations. Along with these new steps, there are safety measures that are part of the design of the marketplace: open parking, large entryways, quick registration in multiple areas, wide hallways, multiple escalators to each floor, and showrooms with controlled access to allow for the appropriate distance between customers. 

The next edition of Lightovation takes place June 22-25, 2022. Registration for that event is open at www.dallasmarketcenter.com/lightovation. Buyers who book hotel by February 28, 2022, can enjoy a $109/night rate at the Sheraton Dallas (regularly $165/nights). Sales representatives can also take advantage of a low rate of $139/night at the Sheraton while supplies last. Hotel reservations for any property can be made at https://book.passkey.com/event/50211999/owner/14227/home.

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.