September 18, 2025
ArchLIGHT Summit Balances Scale With Substance
Intimate format fosters deeper conversations without sacrificing attendee value
When ArchLIGHT Summit first launched in 2021, it was the rare new trade show bold enough to debut in the uncertain aftermath of COVID-era lockdowns. Where other events delayed, downsized, or disappeared entirely, this one moved forward — testing the waters of in-person connection in a cautious, reshaping industry.
Now in its fifth year, the show continues to evolve. Held September 16–17 at the Dallas Market Center, the 2025 edition wasn’t about reinvention. It didn’t need to be. Instead, it reflected a careful tuning — minor floor plan adjustments, updated speaker formats, and programming enhancements designed in direct response to exhibitor and attendee feedback.
“The feedback I have gotten as I have walked the floor and talked to exhibitors has been profoundly positive,” said Lea Tranakos, Sr. Director of Audience Development and Tradeshow Sales for ArchLIGHT Summit. “Traffic was obviously brisk, and our educational sessions were very well attended.”
Familiar Space, Fresh Tweaks
The venue — Dallas Market Center’s airy central atrium — remains a defining feature of the event. It’s a polished, pleasant space, complete with koi pond, Starbucks coffee, and concessions that serve adult beverages. But it also comes with spatial limits. Just over 120 booths fit in the layout. This year, organizers made small but effective tweaks, squeezing in more than ten additional exhibitors while still maintaining open walkways and sightlines.
Attendees we spoke with; including seasoned lighting designers, interior designers, and students, highlighted the value of the conference sessions and appreciated the focused mix of architectural lighting and controls on display. Many noted that the format offered a chance to explore new innovations up close, without the sensory overload of massive trade show booths.
For exhibitors, there was reportedly a waitlist — a positive signal for demand, even if the space remains finite.
Tuesday’s show hours stretched from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, giving attendees ample time to navigate the floor and connect. At ten hours, the day was longer than what many exhibitors are used to, which led to a slower flow of visitors. George Kottakis of Day-O-Lite Manufacturing, whose booth sat at the center of the exhibit floor, pointed to Tuesday afternoon as the show’s busiest window.
Regional Agent Support Makes a Difference
In its early years, ArchLIGHT Summit faced a familiar challenge for any regional trade show: building local credibility without buy-in from some of the city’s major reps. For the first three editions of the show, Architectural Lighting Alliance (ALA) and Texas Lighting — two of the most influential agencies in the Dallas market — did not participate. Their absence was felt. Without them, the event struggled to draw the volume of specifiers and manufacturers needed to give the show real momentum.
That changed in 2024. Both agencies came onboard for the first time — and their presence was transformative. They brought with them a wider roster of manufacturers, clients, and designer contacts, injecting new energy and significantly expanding the show’s reach. It was, by most accounts, a breakthrough year for ArchLIGHT Summit.
That momentum carried into 2025. Once again, ALA and Texas Lighting appeared on the floor, bringing critical local and regional engagement. For a show like ArchLIGHT — positioned in a major metro and aiming to grow from within — the support of local agents isn’t just helpful. It’s foundational.
They weren’t the only players on the floor. Longtime ArchLIGHT partners Hossley Lighting & Power Solutions, Preferred Lighting Group, and NexGen Lighting & Controls — now part of SESCO Lighting following its acquisition in May — also participated as agent partners.
The one notable exception was the local Current and Lutron agent, Bell & McCoy Lighting and Controls, who opted again to skip the Dallas show and instead hosted their private LightX 2025 event in Orlando this past July. Their large-format event continues to draw lighting people from across the South and stands as a prominent alternative on the lighting trade show calendar.
A Thoughtful Program on Center Stage
Educational content has always been core to ArchLIGHT’s identity, and 2025 built on that strength. The main stage — planted prominently in the middle of the exhibit floor — hosted high-visibility keynotes and panel discussions. A secondary stage, tucked at the end of the floor, offered more focused conversations in a quieter setting.
Most of the sessions were well attended, with some packed to capacity. The speaker lineup included:
- Chip Israel, Lighting Design Alliance
- Steven Rosen, Available Light
- Jill Cody, Darklight Design
- Stephen Kaye, Mulvey & Banani Lighting Design
- Anna Forrester, Arup US Inc
Tranakos noted that the Color Visualization Experience had “a constant flow of visitors,” while hospitality events like the opening night dueling pianos were, in her words, “well attended and enjoyed.”
Steady Engagement, Strong Conversations
Feedback from exhibitors was measured — most described the show as solid, with responses ranging from neutral to mildly optimistic. Among those who exhibited in both 2024 and 2025, about half mentioned that foot traffic felt slightly slower this year, while others described it as consistent. But unlike the early years of ArchLIGHT, there was no dissatisfaction in the air. The prevailing sentiment was that the quality of the conversations remained high.
Rob Akins, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at No. 8 Lighting, affirmed the value of the attendees who came through. Ed Martin of Xicato shared that perspective. This wasn’t about chasing volume — it was about meaningful engagement.
Paul Boken, whose company Sourcery served as an event sponsor, called ArchLIGHT “one of his favorite shows,” citing its intimate scale and the opportunity for deeper conversations.
Drawing the Region, and Beyond
While it felt like the plurality of attendees hailed from the metro Dallas area, there was notable regional diversity. Reports of visitors from Oklahoma City, Austin, San Antonio and Houston were common, with many traveling alongside their local agents. A few exhibitors mentioned engaging with designers and agents from farther afield — Seattle, Florida, Arkansas, Calgary.
Still, with four major cities within a 250-mile radius, there's room for ArchLIGHT to further solidify itself as the regional hub with increased attendance from drivable metros. The foundation is clearly there.
A Show That’s Growing Into Itself
ArchLIGHT Summit 2025 didn’t try to outdo itself. Instead, it delivered a solid, balanced event that has found its rhythm and continues to respond — quietly, constructively — to its community. The enhancements were more evolutionary than revolutionary. And that’s the point.
“Today was an exceptional day,” Tranakos wrote in a post-show note, “and the Eurofase ‘Last Call Y’all’ will be the perfect conclusion to the Show.”
If year five is any indication, ArchLIGHT isn’t just surviving — it’s settling into its role as a thoughtful, regionally grounded event.
