Industry News

Dallas Market Center, the home of Lightovation, the largest residential lighting trade event in North America, announced that the June 23-26 edition of the show met expectations as a return to a large-scale, in-person trade event. The show saw 90% of its traditional attendance and 97% participation from its lighting exhibitor brands.

The summer show, following specialized lighting events in previous months, welcomed buyers from 45 states to review new products across the largest residential lighting marketplace in North America. Exhibitors reported strong interest and orders from retailers keeping up with high consumer demand.

“The in-person experience is critical in order to see new styles, experience new technology, and build relationships so we were thrilled with the show’s attendance and engagement,” said Cindy Morris, President and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “Everything lined up in our favor including health and safety, the number of new collections, retail conditions, and a spirit of uniting the industry to help one another. We look forward to a fantastic January 2022 show.”

New and expanded showrooms debuting in June included Hubbardton Forge (TM 3725), Minka Group (TM 4103), Savoy House (TM 4901), Z-Lite (TM 46000), Abra Lighting (TM 3531), Matthews Fan Company (TM 4737), and Elegant Furniture & Lighting (expanding in WTC 10080 while retaining its TM 3050 space).

Said Rick Seidman, president of Quoizel: “Lightovation is the only place in North America that under one roof offers anything you need to learn about lighting: from style, trend, technology, and brands. Lighting retailers are saying their stores are busier than ever before, and they are asking for help to reimagine what houses can look like. At Lightovation, we are able to help them do that together.”

Added Laurie Gross with Gross Electric in Toledo, Ohio: “It’s just so great to be here and to see the products in person…it’s great to see all my friends in the industry. Both from a product perspective and an industry perspective touching base it’s been an awesome, awesome market.”

The American Lighting Association hosted its first in-person Residential Lighting Training Course since October 2019 alongside Lightovation, enabling more than a dozen participants to experience the largest residential lighting show in North America while gaining knowledge critical to earning ALA’s Lighting Specialist certification.  The three-day course was held in The SMART Center (TM 4826).

Attending Lightovation for the first time were nearly 50 Light Stars, who visited courtesy of the program rewarding top showroom personnel who don’t normally attend Lightovation with airfare and hotel to participate in the June show.

On June 24, the market center and Furniture, Lighting & Decor magazine announced winners of the 12^th annual Showroom of the Year Awards at a ceremony held at the Virgin Hotel. Showroom of the Year winners for Revenue Under $2 Million: Lightstyles, Cornelius, NC; Revenue $2 Million-$5 Million: Dominion Lighting, Arlington, VA; Revenue $5 Million and Over: Urban Lights, Denver, CO. The Outstanding Merchandising Display award went to Dominion Lighting, Arlington, VA; Exceptional Community Involvement Award to Black Whale Home, Encinitas, CA; and Social Media Star was awarded to Guildwood Lighting & Fireside, London, ON, Canada.

Said David Nestor of Urban Lights in Denver: “Coming back to Lightovation was an opportunity to get back and renew the relationships that are so important to us in the business. Our opportunity to see new product or even get a sneak peek at upcoming product … that’s a real opportunity to take advantage of.”

A special industry celebration immediately followed the Awards and kicked off with industry insider comedy courtesy of Jimmy Norris, who brought down the house. The Big Texas Welcome that followed party featured live western music from Nashville’s Jake Maurer Band together with dancing, drinks, and eats with a Lone Star State theme.

Lightovation also welcomed special groups for networking and business building opportunities. These include the Young Executives (ALA’s under 40 group) which gathered in the Varaluz showroom. ALA’s Women in Lighting reception was also held on June 23 in the Allegri Crystal by Kalco showroom that also included a presentation of the Women in Lighting Leadership Award to Bulbrite President Cathy Choi. Bulbrite celebrated their 50^th anniversary during the show. Another milestone anniversary was also acknowledged: WAC Lighting celebrated 35 years.

During June Lightovation, exhibitors Varaluz and WAC Lighting were honored at the HEARTS Awards on June 25. This event replaced the 2021 ARTS Awards and engaged home furnishings organizations such as the American Lighting Association and Sustainable Furnishings Council to recognize companies who went above and beyond during the pandemic. Earlier this year, a HEARTS Awards auction raised more than $10,000 for No Kid Hungry.

Prior to the start of Lightovation, Lighting One hosted its annual Convention June 21-22 at the Marriott Downtown in support of its independent lighting showroom members and vendor partners. Lighting One’s past seven Conventions have been hosted in Dallas in tandem with the June edition of Lightovation, a tradition that has already been announced to continue for the next three years. At Lighting One’s closing gala, industry veteran Sam Guye was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Looking ahead, the next edition of Lightovation takes place January 6-9, 2022 with a Thursday to Sunday date pattern.

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.