LIGHTFAIR International Will Head Back to Philadelphia in 2017

August 17, 2015

LIGHTFAIR International, billed as the world’s largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference, will return May 7-11, 2017, to Philadelphia’s Pennsylvania Convention Center in 2017 for its 28th annual staging, according to Jeffrey L. Portman, Sr., vice chairman, president and COO of LFI managing partner AmericasMart Atlanta.

Produced annually alternately on the East and West Coasts, LFI was last staged at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in 2013. 

LFI’s 2017 return to Philadelphia will follow its 2016 showing in San Diego at the San Diego Convention Center, the event’s newest West Coast venue.  LFI’s San Diego event will run April 24-28 next year.

LFI 2015, held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York in May, broke all registration and trade show records with double-digit growth marking the largest staging in its history. It set an all-time trade show floor record with 268,580 net square feet, housing 599 exhibitors. 

Registration grew to 29,900 attendees, a 15 percent gain, compared with the previous record set in 2014, with representatives from 89 countries.

“Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Convention Center afford our global customer base a highly accessible and accommodating venue, well-scaled to the expanding space and service demands aligned with LFI’s continuing growth,” Portman said. 

He added, “Our 2013 experience there was positive and productive.  We fully expect LFI’s 2017 showing to exceed those high marks.”

LIGHTFAIR International brings the industry’s newest and most advanced products and technologies to a global attendee population of lighting designers, specifiers, architects, consultants and engineers from around the world. 

Throughout the trade show floor, exhibitors showcase exclusive introductions and a large spectrum of solutions such as LEDs, OLEDs, luminaires, energy-efficient products, alternative energy, solar power, decorative, controls, software, digital signage, healthcare and hospitality. 

LIGHTFAIR also features six pavilions: Building Integration; Daylighting; Design; Exterior & Roadway Lighting; Global Light + Design; and New Exhibitor Pavilion.

LFI is sponsored by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD).  The event is produced and managed by AmericasMart Atlanta.

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact