ATLANTA — The May 3-7, 2020 LightFair trade show and conference, previously announced as postponed, are now canceled reports the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and International Market Centers (IMC). The next LightFair will be in May 2021 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York during NYCxDESIGN – New York Design Week. LightFair returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center in June 2022.
“Since its inception 31 years ago, LightFair has represented a true collaboration and symbiotic partnership between IALD, IES and its managing partner,” said Dan Darby, show director. “The feedback we received from IALD, IES, exhibitors and attendees is that a trade show and conference in 2020 during the available summer dates are not feasible. The overwhelming response is a desire to preserve resources to invest in an even stronger 2021 event. We are embracing that counsel and will present the preferred marketplace for commercial and architectural lighting and the most comprehensive training for lighting design and technology professionals again next year in New York and the following year in Las Vegas.”
“The decision to cancel LightFair 2020 was not easy to make. While a cancelation is a serious development that weighs heavily upon us and significantly impacts our partners, we believe that this is what is best for the industry,” adds Timothy Licitra, IES executive director. “Our focus is now on making LightFair 2021 the best event for all participants, while allowing our industry to focus its attention on navigating the uncertainty this crisis has created. We look forward to seeing everyone at LightFair 2021 in New York.”
“Canceling the reimagined LightFair 2020 is a difficult decision we must make as responsible leaders who care about the preservation of the lighting industry,” said Marsha L. Turner, IALD chief executive officer. “LightFair is the industry event that our members look forward to every year. Now, we eagerly anticipate LightFair 2021 in New York and are delighted to have secured our return to Las Vegas in 2022.”
Plans are currently underway to present some elements of the 2020 show, including the conference and the 2020 LightFair Innovation Awards, in an online format. Attendees will also receive communications about options for previously paid 2020 conference and trade show access fees. Additional updates from LightFair will be available online at LightFair.com.
LightFair 2021 in New York and 2022 in Las Vegas
LightFair 2021 will showcase new innovations in lighting design with more than 500 top manufacturers and more 200 hours of accredited educational courses in May 2021. The trade show and conference join New York City’s annual celebration of design, NYCxDESIGN, as part of the reimagining of the attendee experience, which sees new programming and amenities plus a new trade show layout and streamlined conference. Attendees will have access to both the LightFair and co-located International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) trade show floors plus additional events taking place across the five boroughs. Site selection for LightFair 2021 will begin in May 2020 and attendee registration will open in early 2021.
LightFair will return to the West Coast June 21-23, 2022 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. “In our discussions about the 2020 show, exhibitors and attendees reiterated the importance of a West Coast event and their preference for staging it in Las Vegas,” adds Darby. “We have committed to maintaining an annual trade show and conference, and to bring them back west to serve the thousands of designers, manufacturers, association members and students from across the region.”