October 24, 2023
What to Expect at Light + Building 2024
Image: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH
Key highlights. Who's in? Who's still on the sidelines?
Frankfurt, Germany is once again gearing up for the biennial Light + Building trade show, scheduled from March 3 – 8, 2024. The world’s largest trade show for lighting and building services technology is once again expected to attract exhibitors and visitors from around the world.
A brief look at past attendance figures paints a picture of the show’s evolution. In pre-pandemic 2018, Light + Building attracted approximately 2,714 exhibitors and around 220,000 attendees. In 2022, the event was billed as the “Autumn Edition” due to the pandemic postponement. Those numbers saw a decline with 1,531 exhibitors and 92,838 attendees. However, 2024 is looking to rebound. As of now, over 2,000 national and international exhibitors have registered, but some notable lighting companies are still on the sidelines.
Image: Scene from last week's Messe Frankfurt virtual press conference
What's New for 2024?
Information gathered by Inside Lighting at last week’s virtual press conference conducted by Messe Frankfurt indicates a renewed focus on sustainability and supply chain challenges. Throughout the 70+ minute presentation, "sustainability" (or derivatives of the word) was mentioned 33 times. Meanwhile, the supply chain—particularly challenges associated with electrical and lighting exhibitors—was frequently highlighted. Historic supply chain challenges were cited, including references to the Panama Canal, China and the Korean War.
The upcoming event expects a diverse international audience. Approximately 65 to 70% of attendees are expected to be from outside of Germany. Per usual, Germany will lead the attendee numbers, followed by Italy, Turkey, Spain, Poland, the Netherlands, Great Britain, France, Belgium, and Greece. The top ten will also include a strong demand from China, indicating its continued interest in the European market.
Highlighting Key Players
During the press conference, show organizers made it a point to reference key lighting companies. Exhibitors like Zumtobel, iGuzzini, XAL, 3F Filippi (part of Targetti Group), and Glamox, which missed the 2022 Autumn Edition, are set to return in 2024. Additionally, companies such as LEDVANCE, Molto Luce, and GMR Enlights, who participated in the Autumn 2022 edition, will also be making a comeback.
From North America, at least 19 exhibitors, including Bold Lighting, Bridgelux, Hunter Fan, Litelab, Lucifer Lighting, Meteor Lighting, and MP Lighting, have indicated their participation.
Notable European lighting companies that the show organizers did not mention include Signify, Louis Poulsen, LED Linear, FLOS, Osram, and Reggiani. Of these companies, only Osram is currently listed as an exhibitor.
Image: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH
Venue Layout
The 2024 layout will see a few changes. Notably, Hall 1, once the first stop for attendees, will remain unutilized for the 2024 edition. However, in a shift from previous years, the lighting section will move to Hall 8, the largest hall at the fairgrounds. This move is facilitated by the relocation of the electrical section from Hall 8 to Hall 12 during the Autumn Edition, which was met with positive feedback.
Furthermore, Hall 10 is designated for the Asia selection. The eastern part of the fairgrounds will encompass Hall 6, Hall 4, Hall 3, and The Forum, which will be home to Zumtobel's exhibit. Significantly, the newest addition, Hall 5, which opened in February, will be occupied for the technical lighting part.
Feedback from previous shows indicated a desire to see more key players in each hall, and organizers have responded. The 2024 edition will feature two to four key players in every hall, enhancing the visitor experience.
Light + Building 2024 is shaping up to be a noteworthy event, reflecting industry trends, challenges, and innovations. The trade show will undoubtedly offer a comprehensive platform for professionals in lighting, electrical engineering, home and building automation, and networked safety and security technology. As the date approaches, the industry will watch with anticipation.
