Updated, 7 NOV 8:03 pm.
EXCLUSIVE: EdisonReport can now confirm that LIGHTFAIR 2013 will be held in Philadelphia. Look for the announcement from LIGHTFAIR on 8 NOV.
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On Friday we received a call from Grand Poobah of LIGHTFAIR in New York who explained that the decision had been made regarding the location of LIGHTFAIR 2013 and EdisonReport would be notified of the decision once it was publicly announced on Monday.
I explained how EdisonReport was a good friend of LIGHTFAIR, and it’s our job to break stories before they are public. We needed to know if the event would be held in Philadelphia or New York. He again said that we would be notified of the decision on Monday, like everyone else. Good bye.
Late Friday we learned that Shaquille O’Neil, LaBron James, Lil Wayne (don’t know who that is), Kenny Stabler, a member of the LIGHTFAIR Management Committee, and other prominent people would attend the NCAA National Championship game in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, 5 NOV. Because my dedication to our industry knows no boundries, I decided to attend the ‘Game of the Century’ in an effort to uncover more information. We spent more for one ticket than I did on my original mortgage where I worked for GE’s Large Lamp Department–and I bought four tickets. As luck would have it, I coincidentally ran into the LIGHTFAIR management person on campus at a fraternity house.
The conversation went something like this:
Ed: Roll Tide and let me buy you a drink.
LIGHTFAIR Source: You can buy me all the drinks you want but I am not gong to discuss LIGHTFAIR 2013 under ANY circumstance so don’t even think about asking. My lips are sealed. Don’t ask. Roll Tide.
Ed: I would never ask you to reveal something that wasn’t yet public, besides we already know where the 2013 event will be held.
LIGHTFAIR Source: I am not discussing it, but you don’t know!
Ed: Sure I know. It is in New York. Isn’t it? The union labor in Philadelphia was a huge problem. If there is a city with a worse union than Philadelphia, I haven’t seen it. They make the New York union look like alter boys. Also, the fact that Philly ran out of hotel rooms had to be a factor. I had overseas colleagues staying in Jersey—as did many companies.
LIGHTFAIR Source: I am not discussing it.
Ed: On the other hand, Philadelphia was popular last time and the attendee survey results came back very positive—much more positive than New York. The Philadelphia event had 24,000+ attendees and was the largest LIGHTFAIR ever. Attendee happiness should out weigh trade-show managers’ frustration. And the lucky people who did have hotel rooms could walk to the show. To solve the hotel problem in 2013, you just don’t schedule LIGHTFAIR the same time as high school graduation. Also there is a rumor that New York Javits Center still won’t finish their remodel by 2013 and some exhibitors would be downstairs.
LIGHTFAIR Source: I am not discussing it.
Ed: It’s Philly isn’t it?
LIGHTFAIR Source: I am not discussing it.
Ed: It’s Philly. Roll Tide.
LIGHTFAIR Source: I am not discussing it. Roll Tide.
If this were Vegas, I’d put my money on Philadelphia (if I had any left after buying those game tickets). Roll Tide.