LIGHTFAIR International 2015 Breaks Showfloor, Attendance Records in New York City
June 1, 2015
In its 26th year, LIGHTFAIR International 2015’s show broke attendance and showfloor records across the board when it was held May 5-7 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York.
“The convergence of light and technology is a defining factor in LFI’s 2015 unprecedented success,” said Jeffrey L. Portman, Sr., vice chairman, president and chief operating officer of LFI managing partner AmericasMart® Atlanta.
He added, “For more than a quarter century, LIGHTFAIR has created the world’s global stage for lighting and design innovation. At LFI 2015, technology emerged as the omnipresent force linking innovation and design in transformative ways.”
The showfloor grew to 268,580 net square feet and had 599 exhibitors, including 108 first-time exhibiting companies and 110 manufacturers headquartered outside the U.S., according to Rochelle Richardson, LIGHTFAIR International vice president.
“The 2015 trade show depth, breadth and diversity captures the holistic nature of LFI’s expanding exhibitor mix,” she added.
LFI 2015 registration grew to 29,900, a 15 percent gain, compared with the previous record set in 2014, with representatives from 89 countries.
Last year’s show was held at the Las Vegas Convention Center and had a 239,800 net square foot showfloor and 26.059 attendees, ranking No. 92 on the 2014 TSNN Top 250 Trade Show list.
LIGHTFAIR International serves the architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference and is sponsored by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) and produced by AMC, Inc.
“LFI has long been the nexus of lighting, design and thought leadership,” said Marsha Turner, CEO of IALD.
She added, “The 2015 showing sustained that mission in a global dialogue exploring the future of light and technology across virtually every dimension of integrated design practice.”
The showfloor featured a product mix of 44 categories that included integrated design, alternative energy and solar power, LEDs, OLEDs, healthcare, hospitality, digital signage and software.
“The volume of product and design innovations recorded at LFI 2015 produced a collective energy previously unseen in all aspects of trade show and Conference,” said Paul Mercier, president, IES. “The resonance of LFI 2015 will be immediate and far-reaching.”
Besides the exhibits, LFI also offered 198 hours of education and contained 78 accredited courses, in addition to a new forum this year – the LFI Controls & Connectivity Forum.
There also were two renowned keynotes - Shuji Nakamura, Ph.D., 2014 Nobel Prize Winner in Physics and inventor Chuck Hoberman, president and founder of Hoberman Associates, who offered their unique perspectives on lighting and design.
The show also hosted the LFI Innovation Awards®, which highlighted the best in new product innovation. LFI received 286 submissions from 151 companies and spanned 14 categories that were judged by an independent panel of lighting professionals.
Check out video highlights from the show HERE.
Next year’s show will be held in April at the San Diego Convention Center.
Partner Voices
HERE, hosting responsible meetings and caring for our communities are top priorities. Through its 'Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet' philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make an impact in the lives of employees, guests, and the communities in which it operates.
Water Stewardship Efforts
MGM Resorts understands the importance of using water efficiently, especially in the desert destination of Las Vegas. Conserving water has always been part of the mission, but MGM Resorts has expanded its ambition into water stewardship.
In 2022, MGM Resorts President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle signed the CEO Water Mandate—a UN Global Compact initiative mobilizing business leaders to advance water stewardship. MGM Resorts International was the first gaming company to take this important step.
MGM Resorts replaced 200,000 square feet of real grass with drought-tolerant landscaping in Las Vegas.
MGM Resorts pledges to reduce water withdrawal intensity by 33% by 2025 and by 35% by 2030.
From 2007-2021, use of more than 5.6 billion gallons of water was avoided because of conservation efforts.
Caring for One Another
MGM Resorts’ Food Donations Program collects and preserves unserved food from conventions held at MGM Resorts properties, then safely donates to food insecure people in the community. Since the program’s launch in 2016, more than 3.7 million meals toward a 2025 goal of 5 million meals have been donated into the community. Donations include:
Unserved perishable prepared foods from events
Perishable unprepared food from MGM Resorts’ kitchens
Nonperishable food items from minibars and warehouses
The collaboration with Southern Nevada’s primary food bank, Three Square, has developed the infrastructure needed to safely collect, transport, and store food from MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas, reducing food waste while serving the community.
Fostering Diversity and Inclusion
To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
MGM Resorts understands its responsibility to contribute to the social and economic progress of the communities in which it operates. HERE, we embrace humanity.
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