November 13, 2025
6 Takeaways, 6 Challenges Define the New Show’s Path
Light + Intelligent Building North America charts new path, with major groundwork still required
After four consecutive LightFair events that failed to recapture the energy of their pre-pandemic heyday, the message is now clear from the show’s three co-owners: more tweaks won’t cut it. It’s time for a different approach.
The show once known as LightFair is being retired, and in its place comes a fundamentally different platform with a new name, a broader mission, and a global strategy.
Yesterday, Inside Lighting connected with the ownership team behind this bold move: IES CEO & Executive Director Colleen Harper, IALD President Andrea Hartranft, and three members of Messe Frankfurt’s North American management team — Kristy Meade, LaToya Gooding, and Kim Porter — who acknowledged what’s been obvious to many in the lighting industry: LightFair’s format had run its course and needed a reboot with a different strategy.
The next iteration — Light + Intelligent Building North America, debuting March 15–18, 2027, in Las Vegas — is not a rebrand, they say. It’s a strategic shift. The event will be broader in scope, rooted in the proven playbooks of Messe Frankfurt’s global Light + Building portfolio, with the goal of uniting lighting and building technologies on one show floor.
The three organizations have agreed to go big. But if there were a simple way to restore LightFair, it would have been done by now. Instead, they’re starting anew—with a global strategy, a new name, and a steep hill to climb.
Below are key takeaways that extend beyond the official show announcement — insights we gathered from our interview with show leadership, followed by six additional observations as we evaluate the significant work still ahead.
1. There’s Real Enthusiasm, Tempered by Hard-Earned Realism
All three groups — IES, IALD, and Messe Frankfurt — agreed that LightFair had reached the limits of what could be accomplished through modest changes. Lighting is increasingly viewed as a subset of building technology, deeply intertwined with systems like controls, automation, and energy management. The next show must reflect that reality. The optimism here is grounded in necessity.
"We, IES and IALD, have been very much aware that lighting is not in a silo. It is not done on its own. We are really excited about the newness of this and what we view as something that is really necessary in North America."
— Colleen Harper, IES CEO & Executive Director
2. This Is Not a Rebrand
While the new name and logo might suggest a marketing refresh, leaders were adamant: the structure, programming, exhibitor strategy, and outreach are being rebuilt for a broader event. This is not LightFair 2.0. Or 3.0. It’s something entirely new, using Messe Frankfurt’s international framework.
“We looked at a lot of different options… and this was the most logical step.”
— Kristy Meade, VP Technology Shows, Messe Frankfurt
Above: Day 1 on the exhibit floor at LightFair 2025
3. Lighting Alone Can’t Carry the Show
The core idea is to expand the field of play. Lighting is still the priority, but organizers believe that integrating adjacent building technologies is critical for long-term viability. It’s not about sidelining lighting; it’s about reflecting the broader systems reality of today’s built environment.
“So, by its nature, I think (the event) is going to attract a high level of knowledge and talent. 2027 will be great. 2029 will be even greater, and 2031 will be off the charts. That's the goal. But it starts with value.”
— Andrea Hartranft, IALD President
4. Aggressive Partnership Outreach Is Crucial
To execute this vision, Messe Frankfurt is activating its global network of sales partners. They’re planning to approach associations that touch building automation, energy and facility systems. The goal is to attract both exhibitors and attendees that reflect the interconnected nature of modern building design and operation.
“We already have a very aggressive strategy to go after those companies (in the building sector.)”
— LaToya Gooding, Senior Show Manager, Messe Frankfurt
5. Philadelphia 2029 Is Still on the Map
The current venue strategy has not changed. The second iteration of Light + Intelligent Building North America is expected to take place March 13-15, 2029 at the Philadelphia Convention Center, just as LightFair had once planned. Meade told us that the 2031 location is still under consideration, but the long-term roadmap is active.
6. VIP Engagement Strategy Likely to Continue
Messe Frankfurt confirmed that the Luminaries VIP program—which brought top lighting designers to LightFair 2025 under structured participation agreements—is likely to continue under the new format. Similar VIP models have proven successful in other industries they serve.
The goal is clear: bring influential building professionals into the fold early, and use their presence to help build credibility. For a new show looking to reengage the design community, this kind of targeted outreach may be as critical as the exhibitor list itself.
The Road Ahead: Six Big Hurdles
The strategy is bold — but the road ahead for Light + Intelligent Building North America is steep. And while all three co-owners have aligned around this new direction, the real executional burden falls heavily on one partner in particular: Messe Frankfurt.
Among the trio, Messe Frankfurt is the show producer. They’re the ones with deep bench strength in event management, global exhibitor outreach, booth sales, and trade show strategy. With more than a dozen lighting and building technology shows in their global portfolio their reputation for building successful platforms is well established.
But reputations don’t guarantee results.
For Light + Intelligent Building North America to take root, Messe Frankfurt must sell the vision to two audiences at once: a lighting sector still bruised from past disappointments, and a building technology sector that never saw LightFair as its home to begin with. This isn’t just a branding exercise — it’s a high-stakes campaign to earn back trust and build new relevance.
Here’s what it will take to move from concept to credibility:
1. Lighting People Still Need Convincing
Lighting manufacturers who’ve watched LightFair decline aren’t ready to dive back in without strong evidence. They want to see real traction with lighting designers, architects, and other decision makers — not just announcements. Absent that, booth budgets will stay put.
2. Building-Tech Companies Need More Than an Invitation
This show wants to draw in building technology companies — integrators, platform developers, and solution providers in areas like building automation, energy infrastructure, and smart systems. But convincing those companies that this is their show is a heavy lift. These players haven’t historically viewed LightFair as their venue, and now they’re being asked to commit marketing dollars to a new event that doesn’t yet have a proven audience in their category. Messe Frankfurt’s track record helps, but it doesn’t erase the inherent risk.
3. Solving the Chicken-and-Egg Problem, Across Two Industries
This dynamic has dogged LightFair in recent years: manufacturers say they’ll return when the specifiers return; specifiers say they’ll return when the manufacturers do.
Now, that dilemma risks doubling. Building tech exhibitors may not commit without a visible audience, and vice versa. The early stages will require strategic bets on both sides to break the stalemate.
4. Strategic Focus Will Matter More Than Sheer Scope
The building technology field is massive and fragmented. Organizers will need to be selective about which sectors and associations they prioritize. Without focus, the show risks diluting its value proposition for both lighting and tech audiences. Every category added must serve a clear audience and use case.
5. Year One Must Show Directional Momentum
Las Vegas 2027 doesn’t need to be a blockbuster, but it must feel like a launch. Organizers will need to prove that the show has forward motion—enough to warrant serious attention from companies planning their multi-year event strategies. If the debut underwhelms, rebuilding trust will get even harder.
6. LEDucation Looms Large, Even If It Shouldn’t
Organizers say they’re not trying to compete with or go head-to-head with LEDucation. But the market will compare them anyway. Moving the event from its usual May-ish cadence to just 19 days before LEDucation 2027 in New York creates a strategic proximity that no amount of PR can neutralize.
Light + Building N.A. and LEDucation 2027: Only 19 Days Apart
And LEDucation hasn’t yet announced its 2029 dates. With the second iteration of Light + Intelligent Building North America planned for March 13-15, 2029, this raises the possibility that the time gap between the two shows could shrink even further, or even (gasp) overlap. For exhibitors and attendees with finite time and budgets, this is a major challenge, not a footnote.
Final Thought: The Easy Fix Was Never an Option
If salvaging LightFair were easy, it would’ve happened already. Instead, the show’s stewards are making a hard pivot—adopting a global model, expanding the exhibitor mix, and trying to rebuild trust across two sectors at once.
The first edition in Las Vegas won’t prove everything. But it must prove something. The industry is watching.
