I’m writing this note after returning from my first LightFair experience, where for three days I walked the show floor, spoke to attendees and exhibitors, and joined education sessions. Most of the folks I met were happy to be there, raved about the education sessions and quality of show floor conversations, and conveyed the importance of supporting the IES and IALD. To be fair, I also heard some comments that expressed frustration with the blackout show floor as well as slower foot traffic.
With fewer than two years under my belt at LD+A, I do not possess a lived history with LightFair, but I am aware of the challenges it currently faces: primarily, a significant dip in attendees and exhibitors since its pre-COVID heyday. With Messe Frankfurt acquiring a stake in LightFair, the hope was that its expertise would provide an injection of energy to the show, but it did not materialize in the form of added traffic this year. LightFair will return in 2027 and 2029, so we will see if 2025 serves as a building block for future improvements or is a harbinger of what’s to come.
What has been most alarming since my return are voices from various corners of the lighting community stating that LightFair needs to “bow out” and let LEDucation take the reins, as if any one show can address the all-encompassing needs of an entire industry. Many of these “hot takes” are disrespectful to the esteemed industry professionals who supported IES, IALD, and all those who attended LightFair. The show’s value is evident, but it’s just as apparent that it needs to evolve. Like the world in general, the lighting industry needs fewer prognosticators and more participants. Comments such as “LightFair should die,” “Let’s find other ways to fund IES and IALD,” and “LEDucation is better,” do not offer any real constructive thoughts on how to navigate this still-new, post-COVID world of tradeshows or enhance the current offerings at LightFair. Many prognosticators are clouded by ego bias, and often wave off accountability when their predictions fall flat. I’m not about to offer any predictions but rather ask that you provide your thoughts to the IES on how LightFair can better appeal to a wider audience.
There’s some pretty big brains spread across the lighting industry. LightFair is not going to live or die by what you or I forecast; its future will be determined by the work of the show’s partners along with the collective industry’s active engagement going forward.
Craig Causer
Editor-in-Chief
craig.causer@sagepub.com