If you’re under the impression that the glory days of lighting are a thing of the past, Messe Frankfurt would beg to differ. Your jet-lagged, humble editor has consistently attended Light + Building since 2008, and I can’t recall a time with so many expansive exhibition spaces.
If our industry is facing challenges, this show stands as a testament to the contrary. Thorn, Zumtobel, and Tridonic have taken over the entire Forum Building. The size of this one building might rival half of last year’s LightFair.
Hall 5.1 is also home to many substantial booths. Trilux, boasting 5000 employees in Germany, has an impressive 900 square meter (almost 10,000 sq.ft.) booth. XAL and ERCO have also set up large-scale booths, with ERCO offering a second story, which is always appealing. I have a fondness for two-story booths because occasionally I’m invited upstairs where they typically serve up fine food and great booze!
Bega is not to be outdone, occupying a 1400 square meter (15,000+ sq. ft.) booth in Hall 3.0.
Wandering the show during its construction is always enlightening. Even though the products are not fully displayed today, it’s the perfect time to get oriented and grasp the scope of the booths.
BREAKING NEWS: I interviewed Shada, an official adjudicator trained by Guinness World Records who is attending the show. Although the news is under embargo until Monday, I can hint to our audience that a world record has been broken at this show. Having a representative from Guinness on-site was a stroke of marketing genius.
Also, I learned that IALD is hosting a reception on Thursday, “IALD x WIL Reception.” This will be a perfect opportunity for the lighting community to come by to meet the LightFair team. Kristy Meade and Julie Nickel from Messe Frankfurt will be there, as will Christopher Knowlton from IALD and Colleen Harper from IES.
The forecast calls for an exceptional show. Stay Tuned!