Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition 2019: Visitor Numbers Grow and a Packed Event Program Proves a Hit

The 2019 edition of Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition (GILE) embraced a new show theme of "Envisage the Next Move" as a nod towards the current state of the lighting industry. An industry that on the one hand continues to pursue new innovations and which is at the same time facing challenges in defending its core competencies and protecting the quality and sustainability of lighting.

Commenting on this year's exhibition, Ms Lucia Wong, Deputy General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, remarked: "Contemplating what the future holds for the lighting industry is a theme that has been truly embraced by the fairgoers at the 2019 edition of Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition. From the renowned guest speakers gathered on stage from China and overseas to the plethora of smart and emerging technologies showcased around the exhibition halls, fairgoers have left this year's show with food for thought about what is next for this thriving industry. Judging by the passionate speakers and the innovative array of technologies on show, the future certainly looks bright.ˮ

The THINKLIGHT forum invited renowned speakers from the lighting industry to share their latest insights for the assembled audiences. Over the three-day event programme more than 50 assembled speakers took to the stage to discuss a wide variety of topics including the impending 5G era, city and retail lighting and broader discussions on what's next for the lighting industry.

Key figures at a glance:
Visitors:              172,856 (combined figure with GEBT)
Exhibitors:          2,626
Exhibition area:  195,000 sqm

Comments from exhibitors:   

"This is the fifth year that Luminus is exhibiting at GILE and we are focusing on two main areas: specialty products for use in industrial, medical and entertainment sectors and commercial products. China is a very big and important market for us and we meet a lot of customers at the show. By exhibiting we receive a lot of visibility and we are able to promote our brand and meet the right buyers."
Mr Decai Sun, Chief Executive Officer, Luminus

"We've been exhibiting at GILE every year for the past 18 years. This exhibition is an ideal opportunity for us to present our brand, to grow our market and to improve our turnover in the region and globally too. China is one of our main markets and we're targeting Chinese customers that are looking for quality. GILE provides us with the opportunity to specifically meet these local buyers. Over the past year we have realised 20% of growth with our business in China and it's our target to keep growing in the upcoming years."
Mr Hans Hagemann, Member of Board, BJB GmbH & Co KG

"This is our fourth year exhibiting at GILE and I have had a lot of memorable experiences from working at the fair. Each year GILE offers the chance to meet with many renowned domestic and international lighting brands. We are very pleased with the quality and professionalism of exhibitors and buyers at the fair."
Ms Guo Yan, Regional Director, Xinyu MLS Lighting Technology Co Ltd

Comments from visitors:

"This is my first time returning to the show for three years. I returned as I have purchasing needs from Asia and we are actively looking for product portfolios. I have observed that the quality of the products being showcased is getting better and better and that the way they are designed and made is changing fundamentally in China. This is what makes the show in Guangzhou such an interesting and attractive show for us to visit. Overall my visit was a success and I'm very satisfied with the companies that I have visited and the contacts that I was able to make."
Mr Jonathan Brune, Executive Manager, Durable (Germany)

"We have over 100 delegates visiting GILE this year and architectural lights, COBs and outdoor lighting are the most in demand products for those coming from India. The show is very well rounded and is an excellent fair where you can find anything related to the lighting industry. This is definitely one of the best shows in Asia and GILE is always the one we look forward to the most. The exhibition is truly a hub for those in the lighting industry from around the world and I will definitely visit the show next year."
Mr Deepak Doshi, Lighting Engineer (India)

Comments from speakers:

"I've had a long association with the show and I've returned once again to the show as I enjoy the buzz and the vibe and it's a great opportunity to discover what the rest of the world is doing in lighting, especially in China. For any newcomer to the show it is a real eye-opener to the industry and you will be able to learn more about the products from China and Asia and ultimately go home with a far greater understanding of the industry."
Mr James Wallace, Design Director, LightPlan

"I was very impressed with the quality of the audience at the forum. When I engaged with them I found that some were seasoned experts while others were budding lighting designers which created a great variety of listeners and made for an intriguing experience. For lighting designers we must combine both the technical and artistic worlds and merge them seamlessly together to have a holistic expression. I hope the audience left with an understanding that lighting has a lot of potential. When you are faced with a lot of opportunities you must be mindful and also think about what is the right thing to do.ˮ
Mr Enrique Peiniger, Founder and Chief Innovator, OVI

The Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition is a part of Messe Frankfurt's Light + Building Technology fairs headed by the biennial Light + Building event.
The next edition will take place from 8-13 March 2020 in Frankfurt, Germany.

Messe Frankfurt also offers a series of other light and building technology events worldwide, including the Shanghai International Lighting Fair, Thailand Lighting Fair, BIEL Light + Building in Argentina, Light Middle East in the United Arab Emirates, Interlight Moscow powered by Light + Building in Russia as well as Light India, the LED Expo New Delhi, and the LED Expo Mumbai in India.

For more information on Light + Building shows worldwide, please visit www.brand.light-building.com
For more information regarding the lighting shows in China, please visit www.light.messefrankfurt.com.cn or email light@china.messefrankfurt.com

Background information on Messe Frankfurt:

Messe Frankfurt is the world's largest trade fair, congress and event organiser with its own exhibition grounds. With more than 2,500* employees at 30 locations, the company generates annual sales of around €715* million. Thanks to its far-reaching ties with the relevant sectors and to its international sales network, the Group looks after the business interests of its customers effectively. A comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services. With its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, the company is owned by the City of Frankfurt (60 percent) and the State of Hesse (40 percent).
For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com

*preliminary figures 2018