Industry News
June Lightovation 2024: Inspiration and Celebration at the Lighting Event of the Summer
May 15, 2024
Lightovation, the largest residential lighting trade event in North America, has announced details for the summer edition of the show. The June 19-22, 2024 event will unite and celebrate the industry plus present the latest lighting collections plus can’t miss educational sessions.
The market center previously announced that the January 2025 edition of Lightovation will take place January 8-11, matching the Wednesday to Saturday date pattern of June shows.
“It’s so important to make new connections and seek inspiration this summer. We look forward to welcoming the industry to Dallas four days of community and support for one another,” 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. All registered Lightovation attendees will also be able to access the concurrent Total Home & Gift Market, running June 19-25 (TEMPS June 19-22). Several hotel blocks have already sold out and all remaining blocks reserved for Lightovation will close May 28th. Anyone still needing to make June hotel reservations should visit the Dallas Market Center website for the best rates.
Lightovation Exhibitor News
New for June is the addition of St James Lighting (TM 3351, a custom lighting and lantern manufacturer based in Columbia, Mississippi. Expanding and relocating is SDQStaunch Lighting now in TM 3783 and showcasing LED lighting for indoor and outdoor. Relocating to TM 4707 is CWI Lighting, the Canadian company with a full range of lighting from indoor to outdoor. Finally, Lightovation’s growing International Pavilion (TM 4909) is home to lighting manufacturers from around the world. New to the Pavilion for January was Abilux, representing several lighting design brands from Brazil which range from contemporary to industrial including exemplars in sustainability Audax, Celera, Conex, FASA, Lalux, Madelustre, Omega, PDLed. London’s Buster + Punch will showcase their collections of lighting, cabinetry hardware, and accessories. These companies are joined by Zafferano America and wakaNINE, representing several lighting design brands including exemplars in sustainability David Trubridge and PLN Group/Hush out of New Zealand, and Thailand’s Ango.
Metaverse Lighting TrendHouse
Following its exciting debut in January, the Metaverse Lighting TrendHouse will again be a destination for visitors. The immersive activation on the 3rd floor of the Trade Mart is a truly immersive 3D innovative experience for industry professionals. The TrendHouse will be able to be viewed by Lightovation attendees in a special exhibition kiosk both as a 3D virtual walkthrough individual experience or via the metaverse space experience, where multiple people can join in and explore together, as avatars, at the same time. Lightovation attendees will have the choice to explore both spaces wearing a virtual reality headset provided by Dallas Market Center, or without one. Both the virtual walkthrough and the metaverse experiences of the TrendHouse will be virtual representations of a fully furnished and curated home, meticulously designed to showcase the latest trends in lighting, home decor, and technology that reflect the 2024 Lightovation Trend Report, curated by global trend forecaster Patti Carpenter and presented by Furniture Lighting and Decor magazine for the show. Coffee will be served in the TrendHouse at 9:00 AM Wednesday - Friday.
Seminars and Special Events
The opening night event for June 2024 Lightovation will be the 15th annual Showroom of the Year Awards at 6pm on Wednesday, June 19, in the Trade Mart 4 Elevator Lobby. All are welcome to attend to honor top lighting retailers from throughout North America, with no tickets or additional registration required. This reception takes the place of the Opening Night Party (formerly Lighting After Dark), which will return in January 2025 as an on-site celebration. Of course, several showrooms will be offering their own events and hospitality alongside this official schedule:
Wednesday, June 19
9 a.m. Lightovation Scoop. Location: Trade Mart Koi Pond
Are you new to Lightovation or just in need of some additional information on navigating the lighting show? Visit us at the Trade Mart Koi Pond to get the scoop on all things Lightovation.
9 a.m.-11 a.m.: Coffee & Technology with Leslie Carothers in the Metaverse Lighting TrendHouse. Location: Trade Mart 3rd Floor, Atrium Escalator Lobby
Grab a cup of coffee and join Leslie Carothers to experience the Metaverse Lighting TrendHouse! Learn how you can use the TrendHouse and technology like it to support your business.
11 a.m. Lighting’s Latest Generation - A Panel Discussion. Location: TM 4826 – The SMART Center
What happens when a venerable brand changes hands in a family business? Longtime lighting editor Linda Longo moderates a candid conversation with some of the country’s top lighting showrooms that are being led into successful futures by second, third and even fourth generations. Sara Bos from The Light Brothers, Todd Director of Connecticut Lighting Centers, and Rachel Fleischer of Hermitage Lighting will discuss what legacies they have retained from their business’s impressive pasts while charting new courses and leveraging their modern perspectives.
2 p.m. Bringing Lighting Trends to Life through Showroom Merchandising. Location: Trade Mart 4th floor, Elevator Lobby
Join Jill Waage, Editor in Chief, Traditional Home and ALA’s Lighting magazine as she talks with Jeffrey Dross, Lighting by Jeffrey, Leslie Killingsworth, Senior Vice President Marketing & Merchandise of Progressive Lighting/Lee Lighting/Savoy House and Tim Stumm, Creative Director of Z-Lite, about how to translate trends into compelling merchandising displays that suit retail environments and budgets.
3 p.m. Lighting Merchandising Tour with Jeffrey Dross. Location: Trade Mart 4th floor, Elevator Lobby
Explore exemplary lighting merchandising techniques and trends inside Lightovation Showrooms with Jeffrey Dross.
5 p.m. ALA Women in Lighting Celebration. Location: Artcraft, TM 3501
The American Lighting Association's Women in Lighting Committee hosts a networking reception open to everyone, hosted by Artcraft. This event includes the presentation of the 2024 Women in Lighting Leadership Award to Hubbardton Forge CEO Maria Mullen.
6 p.m. Showroom of the Year Awards. Location: TM 4 Elevator Lobby
Join Dallas Market Center and Furniture, Lighting & Decor magazine as we reveal the 15th annual Showroom of the Year Award winners. We will celebrate the best of the best Lighting Showrooms across the country with drinks and more!
Thursday, June 20
9 a.m. Lightovation Scoop. Location: Trade Mart Koi Pond
Are you new to Lightovation or just in need of some additional information on navigating the lighting show? Visit us at the Trade Mart Koi Pond to get the scoop on all things Lightovation.
9 a.m.-11 a.m.: Coffee & Technology with Leslie Carothers in the Metaverse Lighting TrendHouse. Location: Trade Mart 3rd Floor, Atrium Escalator Lobby
Grab a cup of coffee and join Leslie Carothers to experience the Metaverse Lighting TrendHouse! Learn how you can use the TrendHouse and technology like it to support your business.
11 a.m. Better Light, Better Sleep: New ALA Program to Promote Health with Lighting. Location: TM 4826 – The SMART Center
The topic of light and health is gaining popularity and creating new opportunities for lighting manufacturers and retailers. The ALA Better Light, Better Sleep program was developed by ALA with the support of The Light and Health Research Center at the Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. The program is designed to support ALA-member manufacturers in the development of circadian-effective lighting products, as well as provide education on the benefits of these types of products. In this session, Jennifer Brons of The Light and Health Research Center will explain what circadian-effective lighting is, why it matters, and how ALA-member manufacturers have already developed products that fall into this category. Plus, learn how to engage with customers, answer questions, and provide circadian-effective lighting solutions.
5 p.m. Cheers with Peers: ALA Young Executives Cocktail Hour. Location: TBD
Enjoy refreshments and networking with industry professionals at the American Lighting Association's "under 40" Young Executives group.
Friday, June 21
9 a.m. Lightovation Scoop. Location: Trade Mart Koi Pond
Are you new to Lightovation or just in need of some additional information on navigating the lighting show? Visit us at the Trade Mart Koi Pond to get the scoop on all things Lightovation.
9 a.m.-11 a.m.: Coffee & Technology in the Metaverse Lighting TrendHouse. Location: Trade Mart 3rd Floor, Atrium Escalator Lobby
Enjoy a cup while networking plus experience the Metaverse Lighting TrendHouse and learn how you can use technology in your business.
Light Stars
Dozens of lighting professionals from across the United States and Canada have been selected to attend June 2024 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.
Interior Designer Preview Day
On Tuesday, June 18, 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, a special panel discussion on product licensing and design, a product tour of lighting showrooms by top interior designers, and a networking reception in the Metaverse Lighting TrendHouse. Full details are available on the Dallas Market Center website and via its new Design Instagram account (@dallasmarketdesign).
Style Eyes Trendspotting
The Style Eyes return 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. Designers Lisa McDennon (@lisamcdennon) and Alisa Berry (@alisaberrydesigns) will serve as Style Eyes for June Lightovation. Lisa is the award-winning interior designer and product designer from Laguna Beach, CA with a collection of lighting from Hinkley. Alisa Berry Designs of Jackson, MS is nationally recognized as a colorful, joyful designer with expertise on new homes, redesigns, and holiday décor. Follow along on Dallas Market Center social media channels and #dallasstyleeyes.
ARTS Awards Nominations
Nominations are open for the 35th ARTS Awards, hosted by Thom Filicia and Carson Kressley and taking place on January 10, 2025, 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 26 at www.dallasmarketcenter.com/artsawards.
Spark Magazine: Summer Issue
More than 50,000 retailers and designers 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 the largest rep agencies at Dallas Market Center and the power of relationships to support retailers. This issue also features one of the four lighting trends from annual Lightovation Trend Report plus home trends with a Texas design style; other articles focus on gifts; fashion; and highlights of new and expanding showrooms throughout Dallas Market Center plus a special section The Temps at Total Home & Gift Market. 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 19-22) and the Total Home & Gift Market (June 19-25), Dallas Market Center will also host the Apparel & Accessories Market (June 11-14) and KidsWorld (June 19-25).
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.
