Industry News

Lightovation, the largest residential lighting trade event in North America, has announced details for the summer edition of the show. The June 21-24, 2023 event will feature new product debuts and new exhibitors, inspiring events, educational sessions, and celebrations of the best in the busiess of lighting.

“The summer edition of Lightovation is all about connection between retailers and brands but also education and celebration,” said Cindy Morris, President and CEO of Dallas Market Center.

Pre-registration, which is the exclusive method to receive a FastPass for quicker entry, is now available at dallasmarketcenter.com/lightovation. All registered Lightovation attendees will also be able to access the concurrent Total Home & Gift Market, running June 21-27.

Several hotel blocks have already sold out and all remaining blocks reserved for Lightovation will close June 6. Anyone still needing to make June hotel reservations should visit https://book.passkey.com/event/50365936/owner/14227/home.

Lightovation Exhibitor News

Lightovation’s growing International Pavilion (TM 4909) is home to lighting manufacturers from around the world. New to the Pavilion in June is wakaNINE, representing several lighting design brands including exemplars in sustainability David Trubridge and PLN Group/Hush out of New Zealand, and Thailand’s Ango. Additional companies represented include CITTÀ, IP44, Luminosa, Stephen Pikus and Stilnovo.

Geo Contemporary (WTC 301) is another new exhibitor at June Lightovation. Only recently available to the North American market, this Brazil-based brand designed by Maurício D’Avila combines high design with high quality and a focus on sustainability.

New to the Spectrum Shared Showroom for June 2023 is Millennium Lighting (TM 4432-05,06,07). Founded in 1999 by lighting industry veterans, this company has become known for providing exceptional decorative residential and commercial lighting solutions.

Among June’s product introduction highlights will be the Tamara Day for Quorum (TM 3004, 3111) lighting line designed by the Magnolia Network’s “Bargain Mansions” host. The launch will include more than 50 designs across three collections, featuring chandeliers, pendants, wall mounts and vanities.

Exhibitor milestones and celebrations happening in June include the award-winning contemporary Koncept brand (TM 4731), commemorating its 20 years in business.

Seminars and Special Events

 

Wednesday, June 21

9 a.m. Bright Ideas with the Lighting Concierge. Location: Lighting Concierge Desk, TM Front Registration 

Whether you are new to Lightovation or just wanting to learn more, join the Dallas Market Center’s Lighting Concierge, Arturo Maluy to learn all about Lighting resources at Dallas Market Center. He will shine a light on everything you know to navigate your way through market like a pro, plus share some great tips of the trade! 

 

10 a.m. How Lighting Retail Showrooms Can Effectively Work with Interior Designers. Location:

The SMART Center - TM 4826 

Trade professionals don’t have to be competitors of lighting showrooms. There is opportunity for them to be your customers and collaborators, if retailers know how to address their needs and are willing to take the steps necessary to meet them. In this panel session moderated by Rue magazine’s Danny Seo, Kirsten Recce of Black Whale Home and Gabriel Trinidad of Lighting Inc. will explain how they have made their designer relationships work profitably. And designers Donna Moss of Donna Moss Designs Inc. and Jaimie Anand of Jaimie Anand Interiors will explain how they rely on showroom relationships for service and expertise, while also identifying the pain points that can stand in the way of a mutually beneficial arrangement.

 

1 p.m. The Most Important Trends in Today’s Kitchens and Baths. Location: The SMART Center - TM 4826 

NKBA Chief Strategy Officer Suzie Williford moderates a panel of leading NKBA member professionals to discuss how current trends in lucrative kitchens and baths are impacting lighting, in terms of style and scale of decorative lighting, as well as functionality and placement of architectural solutions. Learn from the perspectives of panelists Abbey Ragsdale of Smith & Ragsdale, Andrew Risinger, CMKBD, of Kitchen, Bath & Home, LLC, and Jennifer Wiley of J Wiley Designs. 

 

5 p.m. ALA Women in Lighting 5^th Anniversary Celebration. Location: Kuzco Lighting – TM 4010 

Everyone is welcome to attend this networking reception commemorating the first five years of the American Lighting Association’s dynamic Women in Lighting group. Even more cause for celebration at this event: Gross Electric President Laurie Gross will be honored with the 2023 Women in Lighting Leadership Award. 

 

6 p.m. Showroom of the Year Awards. Location: TM 4 Elevator Lobby

Dallas Market Center and Furniture, Lighting & Decor magazine will reveal the 2023 Showroom of the Year Award winners. Join us to celebrate the best retail lighting showrooms across the country with the awards at 6pm, followed by a cocktail reception.

 

Thursday, June 22

9 a.m. Bright Ideas with the Lighting Concierge. Location: Lighting Concierge Desk, TM Front Registration 

A repeat of Wednesday’s session with Arturo Maluy.

 

10 a.m. Designer Dopamine: LED and Luxury Style. Location: The SMART Center - TM 4826 

Speaker Cameron Metheney of Cameo Studio will cover bathroom lighting and design trends as they relate to high-end design. From pops of wall tile colors, unique design layout, to updated decorative lighting, there’s a lot influencing today’s bathroom designs. Cameron focuses on integrated LED lighting in walk-in showers and fusing tile trends with lighting. Hear what’s next for the future of LED lighting and designer impact in high-end, luxury decorative styles. 

 

1 p.m. Improving Life by Improving Light. Location: The SMART Center - TM 4826 

We are all aging, and as we age, we require a different approach to lighting our environment. Tom Butters, Executive Director of Lighting Agora, will discuss the physiological changes that occur in our vision over time. Then, he will explore the changes and challenges of adaptation, accommodation, color discrimination, circadian rhythms, and glare sensitivity in the aging eye and offer some simple, empathetic solutions that will improve quality of life through improved lighting.

 

5 p.m. Cheers with Peers: ALA Young Executives Cocktail Hour. Location: Z-Lite – TM 4600

Meet and mingle with the future leaders of the lighting industry during the ALA Young Executives event. All Lightovation attendees are invited to enjoy refreshments and learn more about the group's initiatives for the coming year. 

 

Lighting After Dark at the Statler Hotel

On Thursday, June 22, beginning at 8:00 p.m., Dallas Market Center and Lightovation exhibitors bring you the party of the summer: Lighting After Dark. Unwind and enjoy a fun night with live music, food and drinks, plus exciting giveaways. All Lightovation attendees, exhibitors and reps are welcome to participate in this free event at the Statler Hotel venue, Scout - just bring your show badge for entry. 

 

Additional hospitalities, networking events, seminars and panels, and celebrations can be found on Dallas Market Center’s website, including opportunities to explore the concurrent Total Home & Gift Market (June 21-27). The reimagined Total Home & Gift Market Temps (open June 21-24) include home décor neighborhoods on WTC 12 and in Market Hall, plus High Style Dallas on WTC 10.

 

Light Stars

Dozens of lighting professionals from across the United States and Canada have been selected to attend June 2023 Lightovation as part of the Light Stars program. These individuals are nominated by their employers and industry partners to recognize their efforts even if they are not normally able to participate in the show. Honorees who are accepted into the Light Stars program receive complimentary airfare and two nights of hotel accommodations to enable them to experience the largest residential lighting show in North America. Anyone in the industry may already nominate for the June 2024 Light Stars program by visiting www.dallasmarketcenter.com/lightstars.

 

New ALA Headquarters and Conference Promotion

The American Lighting Association has relocated its national headquarters from the World Trade Center to the fourth floor of the Trade Mart, in TM 4818 adjoining The SMART Center. In additional to this convenient access to their offices, ALA will also again have a highly visible outpost on the Trade Mart’s fourth floor atrium to promote its September 10-12 Conference in Lake Tahoe, CA, and membership in the only trade association representing the interests of the entire residential lighting industry. Conference registration is available at this booth or at www.alaconference.com.

 

Interior Designer Preview Day and Trend Displays

On Tuesday, June 20, an Interior Designer Preview Day will take place for Lightovation. Participating showrooms will be open for a sneak peek by the interior design community and special programming will take place including a Trend Tour from trend expert Patti Carpenter and a special panel discussion with AD 100 Designer Corey Damen Jenkins and HGTV star Breegan Jane, moderated by Rue magazine’s Kelli Lamb. Details are available on the Dallas Market Center website and via its new Design Instagram account (@dallasmarketdesign).

 

Corey Damen Jenkins and Breegan Jane will also provide a glimpse into their creative process in two exclusive trend displays for Lightovation. These displays, located on the third and fourth floors of the Trade Mart, will express these top designers’ interpretations of trends from Lightovation’s 2023 Trend Report in mood boards inspired by products from Lightovation exhibitors. Introduced at the January 2023 edition of Lightovation, printed copies of the popular Trend Report will be available for attendees throughout the show.

 

Style Eyes Trendspotting

A panel of trend experts and retail mavens will be discovering new products at Lightovation. The Style Eyes returns for summer as the program leveraging the knowledge and taste making skills of social media influencers for their insights and discoveries. The Style Eyes will spot must-see and unique products and trends across the lighting marketplace. Follow along on Dallas Market Center social media channels and #dallasstyleeyes.

 

ARTS Awards Nominations

Nominations are open for the 34th ARTS Awards, hosted by Thom Filicia and Carson Kressley and taking place on January 12, 2024, during winter editions of Lightovation and the Total Home & Gift Market. The ARTS Awards is the premier international awards program dedicated to home industry excellence and achievement, including several dedicated lighting retail and manufacturing categories. Anyone may submit nominations for the ARTS Awards through June 27 at www.dallasmarketcenter.com/artsawards.

 

Spark Magazine: Summer Issue

More than 50,000 customers are receiving the latest issue of Spark magazine, the stylish pre-market publication highlighting trends, what’s new inside the market center, and insights from makers and influencers. The cover story is a profile of Hillary France, retailer and owner of the Brand Assembly showroom and tradeshow platform. The biggest story in this issue and inside the marketplace is the bigger, better, reimagined Temps at the Total Home & Gift Market. This issue also features the latest bath lighting incorporating warmer finishes; other home trends; fashion accessories; entertaining gifts; design inspiration from Japan; and highlights of new and expanding showrooms throughout Dallas Market Center. Finally, the magazine offers plenty of reasons to explore new restaurants and Instagram worthy backdrops around Dallas.

 

Other June Trade Events

In addition to Lightovation (June 21-24) and the Total Home & Gift Market (June 21-27), Dallas Market Center will also host the Apparel & Accessories Market (June 27-30) and KidsWorld (June 21-27).

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 and #dallasmarket hashtags on social media, visiting the Lightovation Facebook Page and joining the  Lightovation - Lighting Industry Discussion Group on Facebook.

 

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.