(US) – Lightovation welcomes more customers and new exhibitors at January’s edition at Dallas Market Centre. The January event saw an increase in attendance by retail decision makers over last year, including a 29% increase in stores attending for the first time. 
 
During the five-day event, buyers representing leading retail showrooms from all 50 states, Mexico and eight provinces in Canada reviewed a comprehensive collection of new products including the latest designs and technology across more than 1m sqft dedicated to lighting.
 
New showrooms included Fine Art Handcrafted Lighting, Acuity Brands, Accord Lighting, Beacon Lighting, Artika, Kanova & Co. and Viz Glass. Expansions were unveiled from Sonneman, Terracotta Designs, Ulextra, and DALS Lighting, which also relocated to an atrium showroom nearly tripling the company’s size at Lightovation.
 
“The January 2020 edition of Lightovation was a success thanks to the ongoing commitment of our exhibitors and the enthusiasm of attendees,” said Cindy Morris, President and CEO of Dallas Market Centre.

“It’s critically important to welcome new buyers to the show, and we were thrilled with the number of first-time attendees who joined loyal buyers to see thousands of new products plus inspiring events and the legendary Dallas showroom parties and nightlife.” 
 
Josh Weiss, EVP of Tech lighting said: “Once again, Lightovation provided us with the ideal opportunity to connect with our reps and customers. We couldn’t be more thrilled by the reception of our 2020 products. Lightovation finished just as well as it started as Sean Lavin, our Chief Design Officer, took home the ARTS Award for Product Designer of the Year.”

Sonneman was one of two Lightovation winners of Dallas Market Centre’s Visual Presentation Awards, which honour exceptional exhibitor displays on each floor. The manufacturer earned the award for the Trade Mart’s fourth floor, while the third floor award went to DALS.
 
Headlining the market events were keynotes inside The SMART Centre, powered by Dallas Market Centre and the American Lighting Association (ALA). The education portion of Lightovation kicked-off with David Rendall delivering two presentation on uniqueness and differentiation. Leslie Carothers returned for digital strategy sessions; Peter Romaniello delivered technical presentations; and interior designer Glen Boudreaux held a session on transparency and ethics. 

On Friday evening, the 31st Annual ARTS Awards took place to a capacity crowd, awarding the home industry’s highest honour across more than 20 categories including Lighting Showroom awards to Chloe Winston Lighting Design (East/Atlantic Region), Idlewood Electric Supply (Midwest/Southwest Region), and Western Montana Lighting (West Region); the Green Award to Currey & Co.; and lighting manufacturing awards to Visual Comfort & Co. (for lamps) and Currey & Co. (for lighting fixtures).

With a new night on Thursday evening, the most notable networking opportunity was the all-industry Lighting After Dark party, which featured a sci-fi theme and transformed the Chaparral Room of the Sheraton Dallas Hotel for hundreds of party-goers.

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