LiGHT24

Held at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London, LiGHT 24 is the UK’s only trade show dedicated to high-end lighting specification. Held annually, over two-days in November it attracts designers and specifiers from all areas of the industry looking to be inspired, educated, and grow their professional network.

Having attracted almost 5,000 visitors in 2023 – architects, interior designers, lighting designers, engineers, and specifiers head to LiGHT in their thousands to see the very latest product innovations and launches from 100s of exhibiting architectural and decorative lighting brands.

Run by [d]arc media – the leading media company in lighting design – the show also features the highly regarded [d]arc thoughts talks programme. Moderated by editors from the leading lighting design magazines arc and darc, as well as guest moderators, the talks delve deeper into the latest topics and trends affecting lighting and design – whether that’s looking at circular economy and sustainability, designing for wellness, or diversity in design.

LiGHT also provides endless opportunities for visitors to make new connections, whether that’s through the late-night drinks party, networking brunch, or while working in the dedicated co-working space, or re-energising in the Associations Lounge.

The 2024 edition of the show will take place on 20 and 21 November and is completely free to attend. For more information, including an exhibitor list and talks programme schedule, click here.

With less than one month to go, anticipation is mounting for the UK’s only trade show dedicated to lighting specification. Building on the success of its first year, with enhanced features, an extended talks programme, and even more lighting brands under one roof, the Business Design Centre will be the place to be this November!

But what can designers and specifiers expect from LiGHT 23 this month? We’ve done the hard work for you and rounded up some key points of interest while attending the show.

Key Highlights for Designers and Specifiers

Knowledge – In collaboration with lighting control specialist Lutron and headlined by international light artist Grimanesa Amorós, this year’s [d]arc thoughts talks programme features over 35 industry professionals sharing their years of experience and knowledge on-stage. Meet the speakers here.

The Brands – Featuring 100s of high-end lighting brands all under one roof – perfect for residential, hospitality, and commercial projects large and small. Whether its interior, exterior, decorative, or bespoke, you’ll find the right product for your projects at this year’s LiGHT 23.

darc space – Calling all interior designers and specifiers of decorative lighting products! We’ve got a one-stop-shop of high-end decorative lighting brands ready to showcase their latest innovations and designs. From Italian headliners such as Artemide, Lodes and Zafferano to British homegrown brands Cameron Design House and Empty State, there’s something for every project in our dedicated decorative area up on the Gallery Level.

Make Connections – Join us for 2-days of social encounters and networking opportunities. LiGHT 23 will host social events across the two-day show. Whether it’s late-night drinks, a LiGHT Lunch, our dedicated workspace, or the Associations Lounge, the show is more than just products and talks – it is the only place to make those key industry connections this November.

Knowledge

Our highly regarded talks programme, [d]arc thoughts will once again bring the most knowledgeable and respected designers working across lighting, interiors and architecture to the stage. In collaboration with lighting control specialist Lutron, 19 talks, presentations, and a workshop from The Lighting Police will be packed into just two-days. Visiting specifiers can expect to leave with a wealth of industry insight and technical know-how in their armour.

Headlined by internationally renowned light artist Grimanesa Amoros, the programme will also see designers from highly regarded studios including Speirs Major, Lighting Design International, Michael Grubb Studio, dpa lighting consultants and Light Bureau share their years of knowledge and experience of working with light on commercial and high-end residential projects.

As well as interior designers such as Matteo Bianchi, THDP, Space Invader, Faber, Tessuto Interiors, Sdias, and Residence Interior Design, and architectural and engineering firms KSS, Hoare Lea, Foster + Partners, and Conran & Partners, who will offer their perspective on the importance of quality lighting in a design scheme.

Visitors attending the talks will see topics range from ‘designing for a global brand’ to ‘designing a healthy office space’ to ‘restaurant and bar lighting trends’, as well as series of succinct presentations covering lighting technologies, the luxury market and more.

The Brands

LiGHT 23 will feature 100s of high-end lighting brands all under one roof – perfect for residential and commercial projects large and small. From sourcing IP-rated products that can bring a stunning bathroom or garden design scheme to life, to a big hotel or restaurant project that needs a larger order, or maybe you need something more bespoke? With lighting brands from all over the world on show, we guarantee, there will be a product at LiGHT 23 that fits the brief.

New for 2023, we introduce darc space – a specifiers one-stop-shop for high-end decorative lighting products. In collaboration with leading industry design magazine, darc, visitors will see new designs from Italian headliners such as Artemide, Lodes and Zafferano, to British homegrown brands including Cameron Design House and Empty State, to name just a few – darc space is going to be a key area for inspiration and sourcing at this year’s LiGHT 23. Check out the full list of decorative brands taking part now.

Make Connections

LiGHT 23 will also host various networking and social opportunities for visitors.

Late-night: On the opening evening of the show – Tuesday 21 November – the event will take on a more relaxed atmosphere. From 4pm – 9pm visitors will be hosted by show organisers [d]arc media and exhibiting brands, with the drinks flowing across exhibitor stands and dedicated bars throughout the venue. Giving visitors the opportunity to check out the latest in lighting once the working day is done.

SGM Bar: Leading Danish lighting brand SGM will welcome visitors to its dedicated LiGHT 23 bar. With a strong focus on minimal waste, coffee and juice will be on offer in the mornings, moving on in the afternoon, to a special edition LiGHT 23 beer in collaboration with Lost & Grounded brewers, there will also be wine and premium canned cocktails. A note for your diaries, is a dedicated prosecco hour at 3pm on the opening day!

Associations Lounge: The beautiful Associations Lounge provides a welcome rest-stop from a busy trade show floor, furnished by Danish brand muuto. All designers and specifiers are welcome to make use of the lounge throughout the two-day event.

LiGHT Lunch – Our popular LiGHT Lunch returns on day two of the show. Offering visitors and exhibitors the opportunity to meet over a complementary light lunch and a glass or two of the finest fizz, in the newly created darc space decorative area and the Associations Lounge. Meet colleagues, peers, new brands – connect in a social, friendly setting.

LiGHT Work – Need to complete some office tasks? Got a Teams meeting that can’t wait? Need to hold an on-site meeting? Then our dedicated workspace on the Gallery level is the place to be – here you will find free, dedicated Wi-Fi, complimentary coffee, and a dedicated co-working space.

Registration for LiGHT 23 is FREE and includes access to the [d]arc thoughts talks programme, plus all mentioned features across the show floor.

LiGHT – the only trade show in the UK dedicated to lighting specification – will build on the success of its first year in 2022 by enhancing its offering to attract the wider design community.

A common misconception is that trade shows dedicated to lighting specification are just for lighting designers. This, put simply, just isn’t the case…

So, if you’re NOT a lighting designer why should you attend LiGHT 23?

Well, ask yourself these questions…

1. Do you work on commercial and / or high-end residential projects?
2. Do the projects you work on feature lighting in some capacity?
3. Would you like to understand more about the effects of good and bad lighting on design schemes and the end user?
4. Would you like to broaden your knowledge on the built environment?
5. Would you like to make new connections within the industry?

If you answered YES to even just one of these questions, then LiGHT 23 is the event for you and with FREE visitor registration, what’s to lose?

LiGHT 23 will feature 100s of high-end lighting brands all under one roof – perfect for residential and commercial projects large and small. From sourcing IP-rated products that can bring a stunning bathroom or garden design scheme to life; to statement decorative pieces for a restaurant or bar project; or perhaps you’re working on a big hotel project and need a company that can fulfil a large order… Maybe you need something more bespoke? With lighting brands from all over the world on show, we guarantee, there will be a product at LiGHT 23 that fits the brief.

Not only that, LiGHT 23 will once again host the highly regarded talks programme [d]arc thoughts, featuring experts from across the world of design, editors from speciality design magazines including arc, darc, ICON, and OnOffice, while covering topics that affect all areas of the industry, such as sustainability & circular design; designing for a global client; designing for healthy office spaces; and designing for small & large spaces, to name just a few… Watch this space for a full talks programme announcement coming very soon!

The show’s association partners will also support the talks programme with speakers from the likes of Society of British & International Interior Design (SBID); NLA; Institution of Lighting Professionals (ILP); Society of Light and Lighting (SLL); and the International Assocation of Lighting Design (IALD).

Also new for this year is darc space, a dedicated area for decorative lighting brands to shine. darc space will provide lighting and interior designers and specifiers looking for their next stunning light feature a one-stop-shop of decorative lighting brands to choose from.