The winners of the second Light Middle East Awards were celebrated at a glittering function last night (5 November) as the curtain came down on an eminently successful Light Middle East 2014 in Dubai.
The competition was intense in all 12 categories as designers and manufacturers of the region's most outstanding projects and products vied for the judges' nod.
The jury panel was hard-pressed to select the ultimate winners from a shortlist of 39 finalists out of an initial field of more than 150 entries.
Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Epoc Messe Frankfurt, the organiser of Light Middle East, said: “Tonight we celebrate the very best lighting projects, products, and channel providers that the Middle East region has to offer.”
“The fact that we’ve had entries from countries all over the Middle East, from the UAE to Iran, Saudi Arabia and Oman, reflects the importance that the industry has accorded these awards.
“Our objective is to raise the awareness of quality lighting in the Middle East, helping us showcase this fantastic region that we live in with lighting architecture in the public realm.
“While there can only be 12 winners, all our finalists have made a significant contribution to the regional lighting design and technology profession,” added Pauwels.
Among those who finished on top in their respective categories were the Abu Dhabi Municipality, which won plaudits for its Sustainable Lighting Policy in the Sustainable Lighting Project category; and The Sofitel, SO Spa & the 31 Lounge by KEO, which won the Hospitality Lighting – Interior category, a day after the hotel officially launched in Downtown Dubai.
Another big winner on the night was The Beach in Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) by CD+M Lighting Design Group, which shone brightest in both the Public Lighting and Exterior Lighting project categories.
Light Middle East is the only dedicated trade fair for the region’s lighting design and technology industry, with the 9th edition having concluded at the Dubai International Exhibition and Exhibition Centre this week.
The three-day event featured 325 exhibitors from 27 countries, a growth of 29 per cent year-on-year, and attracted more than 6,000 trade visitors, 25 per cent more than in 2013.
The 10th anniversary of Light Middle East, which coincides with UNESCO’s International Year of Light, will take place in November 2015.
Show website: www.lightme.net