August 7, 2024
LightX 2024 Delights Lighting People from Across the Southern U.S.
Bell & McCoy and FRM’s private lighting event offers 1000+ attendees an exclusive experience
GRAPEVINE, Texas — The Gaylord Texan Resort near Dallas became the epicenter of the Southern U.S. lighting industry last week as it hosted LightX 2024, one of North America's largest private lighting events.
The LightX event, organized by recently merged Bell & McCoy and FRM Lighting & Controls, brought together over 1,000 attendees for three days and two nights, showcasing the latest advancements in lighting technology and fostering connections among architects, engineers, designers and other lighting industry professionals.
A Beacon for Growth
LightX 2024 stood as a testament to the rapid expansion of one very prominent agent in the Southern U.S. lighting industry. Following their 2023 merger, Bell & McCoy and FRM Lighting & Controls have significantly expanded their reach, now covering 11 states and 22 markets, with annual sales exceeding $2 billion.
This growth was reflected in the event's scale and ambition. With a budget of $1.4 million, LightX 2024 pulled out all the stops to create an unparalleled experience for attendees and exhibitors alike.
Above: Lighting people gather for scenic views and adult beverages at LightX 2024
LightX 2024 also broke new ground in its approach to attendee experience. The organizers covered all travel expenses for lighting specifiers and encouraged them to bring spouses or significant others, transforming the professional gathering into a personal retreat.
Illuminating Innovations: The Exhibit Hall
The heart of LightX 2024 was undoubtedly its expansive exhibit hall, featuring nearly 70 manufacturers showcasing their latest products and technologies. Among these, industry stalwarts Current, Lutron, LSI Industries, and H.E. Williams stood out with their impressive and creative booth designs.
Current's exhibit, spanning an impressive 2,500 square feet, transported visitors to the Roaring Twenties. Employees dressed in period attire celebrated the 2020s while paying homage to the previous century, creating a unique blend of nostalgia and forward-thinking innovation.
Above: Lighting people from across the Southern U.S. visit exhibits at LightX 2024
LSI Industries took a sporty approach, embracing a football theme. Their booth featured various games scattered among product displays, encouraging interactive engagement with their lighting solutions.
Not to be outdone, H.E. Williams crafted a large booth that cleverly mimicked a factory floor. Using conveyors and monitors, they created an immersive experience that highlighted their 100+ year old Made in America heritage, demonstrating both their history and their continued modern innovation in the field.
Fostering Connections and Knowledge
"In the ever-evolving world of architecture, creating and maintaining quality relationships with vendors is crucial," said Jeffrey Farr, AIA, a Houston-based architect. "These partnerships not only ensure the timely delivery of materials but also foster innovation and collaboration."
Above: A pool party somehow broke out during the opening hours of LightX 2024
Drew Mitchell from New Fire Native Design Group, an Oklahoma architecture firm, noted the event's practical benefits. "I found a couple of really unique fixtures that we could utilize on the exterior facade of some casino projects we're working on," Mitchell said. "It's great to meet the people behind the companies we've been specifying for years."
Education and Professional Development
The event's educational component featured eight Continuing Education Unit (CEU) courses over two days, providing valuable professional development opportunities. This balance of learning and networking underscored LightX's commitment to advancing the industry.
Above: Shea Parker of Current presents the CEU seminar "Lighting Design for Interior Spaces" at LightX 2024
A key panel discussion, moderated by Al Uszynski from Inside Lighting, featured top executives from some of the industry's leading providers of lighting and controls products, along with an agency principal, Rob Duncan. The panel explored topics such as agent relationships, technology, and strategies for managing complex lighting projects from specification to installation.
Robert Lowe of Lowe Electric, a Florida contracting firm, emphasized the value of hands-on experience with new technologies. "Having the knowledge before we get the fixtures, understanding their functionality, and how to tailor options to be more beneficial to our customers is invaluable," Lowe said.
Industry Perspectives
From the manufacturing perspective, Eric Lind from Lutron praised the event's format. "It's a great way to connect with our clients, to complement their local in-market work with the story we want to tell as a manufacturer," Lind said.
Jason Sherrill of Current highlighted the strategic benefits for manufacturers. "It allows us to get closer to our customers, specifically the spec community, across the sprawling territory that FRM and Bell McCoy provides," Sherrill explained.
Above: "Hurts so good. Come on baby, make it hurt so good."
The social agenda, including a pool party at Paradise Springs Pool and a rocking concert at The Glass Cactus, facilitated informal business discussions and strengthened customer relationships.
Lighting the Way Forward
As LightX 2024 concluded, it was clear that the event had not only showcased the latest in lighting technology but also illuminated the path forward for lighting people across the Southern U.S. to learn, collaborate and excel. The combination of educational opportunities, business networking, and personal connections created a unique platform that aims to helps shape the future of commercial and industrial lighting in the Southern United States.
The consensus success of LightX 2024, with its impressive exhibitor turnout and innovative booth designs, and enthusiastic attendees highlights the value of this unique invitation-only lighting event.
Above: On the last night of LightX, guests enjoy camaraderie and cocktails
With its blend of education, networking, and cutting-edge exhibits, LightX 2024 has set a new standard for agent events, leaving attendees eagerly anticipating what the next LightX gathering will bring. The Inside Lighting team is already planting seeds for an invitation to the next iteration of LightX.
LightX 2024 Exhibitors
- AEL
- Aron Lighting
- Atlas Lighting Products
- Barbican
- Barn Light
- Bock Lighting
- Brilliance LED
- Casey Architectural Lighting
- C-Flex
- Coronet LED
- Current
- DMF Lighting
- EWO USA
- Folio Lighting
- G&G Industrial Lighting
- Globalux Lighting
- H.E. Williams, Inc.
- Hevi-Lite
- Hinkley
- HyLite LED
- Idaho Wood Lighting
- Inverter Systems
- Isolite
- Jesco Lighting Group
- Jokerlight
- LED Linear
- LEDI
- LEDScape Lighting
- Legrand|Wiremold
- Leucos
- LightAlarms
- Lightheaded
- LinmoreLED
- Liteline
- LSI
- Lumascape
- Lumenture
- Lutron
- Lux Illuminaire
- Luxxbox
- LZF
- Milbank
- Myers Emergency Power Systems
- Olympia Lighting
- Pablo Designs
- Paris Mirror
- Peachtree Lighting
- Photinus Lighting
- PMC Lighting
- Pure/Edge Lighting
- QSSI Family of Brands
- SAGE Brands
- Scout Lighting
- Sentry Lighting
- Solavanti Lighting / ETI Efficient-Tec
- Specgrade LED
- Sternberg Lighting
- Sunshine Lighting
- The Light Source
- The Lighting Group Network
- The Lighting Quotient
- Thern Rigging
- Times Square Lighting
- TMS Lighting
- Truly Green Solutions
- Vari-Lite
- Wakanine
- Wave Lighting
Above: Bell & McCoy management held a private meeting with manufacturers to outline their partnership and growth strategies while expressing gratitude for each manufacturer attendee
