lightfair international - Illuminating Engineering Society

was more than happy to oblige and helped organize a trade
show with international appeal.
Thus, LIGHTFAIR INTERNATIONAL was born.
Let There be LIGHTFAIR...
The first LIGHTFAIR took place April 10–12, 1990 at the
New York Hilton. It was the first small step for the event. The
premise behind LIGHTFAIR was to develop a lighting trade
show created by the lighting industry for the lighting industry.
“LIGHTFAIR is like a breath of fresh air,” Good said. “The
transition to LIGHTFAIR was virtually seamless.” According
to Good, LIGHTFAIR is “more focused on education and on
a commercial and technical perspective.”
LIGHTFAIR is unique because the professional organizations
who sponsor it are also the owners, according to IALD
Chairman Philip Gabriel. “While many professions have
conferences and many industries have trade shows, the lighting
industry has both in LIGHTFAIR,” Gabriel said. “And
since the IESNA and the IALD are part owners, it gives the
event much more prestige than other industry shows.”
To make LIGHTFAIR more beneficial to the industry it
served, two advisory boards were put into place—-the
Conference Advisory Board and the Exhibitor Advisory
Board. The Exhibitor Advisory Board identified the appropriate
format to showcase new products and address the
needs of manufacturers. The Conference Advisory Board was
charged with developing an educational program to explore
issues that affect lighting professionals and others in the
lighting industry.
In 1996 the New Product Showcase Advisory Committee
joined the other two committees. The committee was
created once it became obvious that the New Product
Showcase was going to be a permanent part of LIGHT-
FAIR. In 1998 a jury of lighting professionals was added to
help select the best new products.
Manufacturers were delighted at being included in
LIGHTFAIR’s planning stages. One manufacturer’s rep stated
in 1990 that if exhibitors have a say in molding LIGHTFAIR’s
direction, then the results will be of greater commercial success
to them. Another manufacturer applauded the Exhibitor
Advisory Committee stating that it provided a voice manufacturers
never had at other trade shows.
The original plan was to hold LIGHTFAIR every other year
on a grand, international scale in New York. During the alternating
years, the show would be held on the west coast or in
the mid-west. In even-numbered years it was held in New
York and alternated with Chicago and San Francisco.
Currently, LIGHTFAIR INTERNATIONAL alternates
between New York, Las Vegas, and San Francisco.
Off and Running
The March 1991 LIGHTFAIR in Chicago attracted over
8000 attendees, over 140 exhibitors, and featured more than
20 seminars and workshops. That same month, LIGHTFAIR
had already sold 52 percent of its exhibitor space at the Jacob
Javits Convention Center for the 1992 event, representing
over 100 companies.
After only three years, it appeared that LIGHTFAIR INTER-
LIGHTFAIR INTERNATIONAL provides attendees with a
plethora of activities ranging from checking out the latest technological
developments to networking with past and potential business
associates and friends. (top) From the 1995 event in Chicago at
McCormick Place, OSRAM SYLVANIA’s booth draws plenty of attention.
(middle) GE’s booth at the 1996 LIGHTFAIR in San Francisco
was a launching pad for many new products.
(bottom) Registration is in full swing at the 1996 event.
66 LD+A/April 1999