While attending Euroluce 2025 in Milan, Designing Lighting (dl) Editor Randy Reid sat down with two industry leaders who are shaping the future of lighting trade shows in the United States: Cindy Morris, President and CEO of the Dallas Market Center, and Patty Price, Director of ArchLIGHT Summit. We discussed, among other things, the rise of the ArchLIGHT Summit.
In this insightful two-part video interview, Cindy Morris shares the origin story of the Dallas Market Center, which dates back to 1957, and outlines how its 5.5 million square foot campus has evolved into a multi-industry hub. She discusses new initiatives, including the Nearshoring America exhibition, aimed at supporting U.S. lighting manufacturers by sourcing products closer to home. She also reveals the updated Lightovation schedule, which now includes a Saturday start for the January 2026 show, and previews a June seminar featuring Jonathan Gold from the National Retail Federation, who will speak on tariffs and trade.
Patty Price offers an inside look at the growth of ArchLIGHT Summit, which has emerged as a significant commercial and specification lighting show. She explains how exhibitor numbers have climbed since its pandemic-era launch, with over 120 booths expected for the 2024 edition. Price emphasizes the show’s commitment to affordability—highlighting zero union labor and drayage fees—and the growing participation of lighting agencies such as ALA, Texas Lighting Solutions, and PLG.
From expanding buyer tools with a new exhibitor portal to building community through hospitality-driven networking, this discussion showcases how Dallas Market Center and ArchLIGHT Summit are creating a smarter, more accessible, and more inclusive trade show experience for the lighting industry.
Go Deeper: A Record-Setting ArchLIGHT Summit in Dallas