The 13th edition of Light Middle East, the region’s premier exhibition, conference and awards programme for lighting design and technology, opened in Dubai yesterday (September 23) featuring 333 exhibitors from 30 countries.

Inaugurated by Saeed Mohammed Ahmed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), the event is nine per cent larger than the previous edition and runs for three days spanning some 13,430-sq-m of space at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the three-day event.

Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, the organiser of Light Middle East, said: “Large scale construction activity and considerable investment by regional governments into industrial and commercial infrastructure is expected to sustain long term demand for the latest in lighting technology and innovations.

“Research has shown that the region will continue to be a major growth market for LED and smart lighting systems in particular, due to the existence of increasingly environmentally-aware governments and local populations.”

“Infrastructure developments coupled with comprehensive smart city initiatives are key indicators of the market potential, while the drop in LED costs and increased demand for energy efficient lighting have kept the market in a decidedly upbeat mood.

“Valued at $4.4 billion in 2017, the Middle East lighting fixtures market is tipped to grow 10 per cent annually up to 2024, when revenues will top $8.7 billion.  Saudi Arabia currently holds the lion’s share of the regional market, with a 30 per cent stake in 2017 ($1.32 billion), while the UAE holds a 13 per cent share ($572 million),” Pauwels added.

All the popular show features return to Light Middle East in 2018, while Messe Frankfurt Middle East has also added a few special highlights, including a dedicated area shining the spotlight on Smart & Connected Lighting in response to fast rising digitisation of light trend.

Trade buyers and industry professionals will attend technical presentations, live demos and workshops from leading global players involved in IoT lighting and building automation technologies.  

Light & Design is another new section focusing solely on decorative lighting products, while at the conclusion of the event’s second day on Monday, the Light Collective will present The Perfect Light, a thought-provoking documentary giving voice to over 20 leading lighting designers with the mission of exploring the development of light and evolution of LED (light Emitting Diode).  

Meanwhile, on the show floor, more than 100 global manufacturers were launching new products in the Middle East market, including Italian manufacturer iGuzzini, which unveiled to the Middle East public for the very first time its Digital Light Experience.

Sergio Padula, Technical Director and Lighting Expert at iGuzzini Middle East, explained: “The Digital Light Experience is a virtual 3D experience revolutionising the way we interact with luminaires and lighting effects.

“Visitors to Light Middle East 2018 will witness the digital transformation at the centre of our world and enjoy a first-hand experience of iGuzzini’s light perfection. Our objective is to deepen the knowledge and interact with the light in its most innovative and out of the box ways.”

UAE manufacturer Metrix also debuted a range of LED luminaires at Light Middle East 2018. Marketing manager Zeinab Jaffarian hopes to gain a good response from then regional market: “We’re launching our LEDs in the UAE Market for first time and we hope to reach UAE, GCC, and worldwide customers at Light Middle East 2018.

“We’ve lined up a range of modern and classic LED downlights; LED converters; LED interior lights and build-in LED lights, which we hope will catch the attention of trade buyers, lighting designers, consultants, architects, engineers, construction companies, hospitality professionals and government officials from around the world.”

Light Middle East’s returning popular highlights in 2018 include THINKLIGHT – a three day conference focusing on the key areas of lighting, namely architecture, interior, and landscape design.

The Light Middle East Awards will again bring the curtains down on the annual showpiece event, where more than 700 industry professionals will celebrate outstanding regional and global lighting projects during a gala dinner ceremony at Dubai’s Habtoor Palace on September 25.

Other returning features include Light.ication, the Middle East’s only competition nurturing the next generation of regional lighting designers, architects, and engineers; and Ready Steady Light Middle East, a live competition during the show where teams are given 90 minutes to design and install a lighting scheme with a range of provided equipment. – TradeArabia News Service