Dubai, UAE: The 12th edition of Light Middle East, the region’s premier exhibition, conference, and awards programme for lighting design and technology, opened in Dubai today (17 October) featuring 345 exhibitors from 30 countries.
Taking place until 19th October, Light Middle East 2017 was opened by H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), and spans 5,573sqm net of exhibition space at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The international flavour is underlined by country pavilions from Italy, France, and the UK, while 52 UAE exhibitors are taking up 2,130sqm of exhibition space, an impressive 27 per cent year-on-year growth over the previous year.
Sustainable solutions such as LEDs are at the forefront of new product launches at Light Middle East, where more than 400 international brands are on show for thousands of trade buyers, designers, architects, consultants, engineers, property developers, and regional municipalities.
Cinmar, Debbas and Huda Lighting were among the headline returning UAE companies making an impression with their largest stands yet, while among key international players stepping up their presence in the regional market were Fivep from Italy, Switch Made from France, and British manufacturer Luceco.
“The lighting industry is at a crucial tipping point, with new technology driving innovative and energy efficient solutions,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Light Middle East’s organiser Messe Frankfurt Middle East.
“LED currently comprises around 40 percent of the GCC’s US$3.7 billion lighting fixtures market, with its share set to surpass the 50 percent mark by 2019-2020. Its energy efficient and eco-friendly technology is backed by supportive government regulations encouraging its uptake, as are declining prices and large-scale projects in architectural, industrial, hospitality, outdoor, and residential applications.”
Added Pauwels: “More than 60 per cent of lighting enquiries for new projects are for LED systems, while awareness and support for energy-efficient lighting is opening opportunities for retrofits as well, presenting exciting opportunities for exhibitors at Light Middle East.”
German company Carus is a debut exhibitor at Light Middle East 2017, and is among the 238 exhibitors that have LED competency within their product portfolios. Carus is using the exhibition for the global launch of its ‘Carus Smart Look’ LED bulb.
Dr. Andreas Ritzenhoff, Founder & CEO at Carus, said: “The Carus Smart Look is the expansion of our existing portfolio. The new bulb is exceptional and the result of passion and know-how. It combines our competences in technical terms but also underlines our know-how in anodizing technology, surface treatment and new developments with transparent plastic parts.
“We decided to put a main focus of our international activities on the exciting architectural landscape of the Middle East, where more advanced and visionary projects are realised,” added Ritzenhoff. “We are looking forward to developing new living and working environments with open minded visionaries.”
Elsewhere, Sylvania, a global provider of full spectrum professional and architectural lighting solutions, was shining the spotlight on innovative solutions including its SylSmart luminaire.
Rashid AL Noori, Chairman of Sylvania Middle East, explained: “SylSmart requires no additional wiring because the technology is integrated with the luminaire making it extremely simple to install in retrofit applications.
“The luminaires automatically detect which are next to each other and auto-commission themselves, communicating with each other so that if a person is moving through a space the lighting levels seamlessly rise in front of them and fall behind them. The lighting control settings, such as light levels and timers, can be fine-tuned through an intuitive, easy-to-use mobile app.
“By utilising SylSmart luminaires, end users can benefit from a commissioning free, wireless and intuitive lighting control solution at 30 percent less CAPEX than DALI and offering 34 percent more energy savings,” added AL Noori.
Subtle Essence Luminaires from India was among the 66 exhibitors with decorative lighting and accessories as part of their product portfolios, and was showcasing a collection of handcrafted decorative lighting, comprising an extensive palette of vintage-style lighting.
The collection is fashioned after authentic European and American designs of the 1900 – 1950 period, handcrafted using the finest quality brass and available in over a dozen antique and modern finishes. Subtle Essence Director Muralidhar Nair said: “We have already supplied into some large key projects in the UAE. Last year we generated AED3 Million in business revenue in the Middle East and we hope to double that in 2018.
“It’s encouraging to note that more and more leading international lighting consultants and designers are operating in the Middle East. All of them will appreciate the high quality of our products and our expertise in creating complex custom designs.”
Light Middle East 2017 returns with headline features such as the prestigious 5th Light Middle East Awards, celebrating outstanding lighting projects and designers from around the world at a glittering gala dinner ceremony at the conclusion of the exhibition on 19th October.
A shortlist of 40 projects has been selected to contest nine project categories at the region’s preeminent awards programme for lighting design, while a revamped six product category line-up will be contested by 29 lighting products.
Elsewhere, the Think Light conference commencing on 18th October comprises a revamped two-day format discussing lighting from the three perspectives of concept, project and application.
Other 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. More information about Light Middle East is available at: www.lightme.net.