Light Middle East, the annual exhibition and conference scheduled to run from May 25 to 27, 2008, has announced a new exhibitor and advisory panel for next year’s show.

Organised by Messe Frankfurt Middle East, Light Middle East 2008 will run from May 25 to 177 at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Dubai, UAE.
“The new panel – which includes Osram, Philips, FibrePros, WILA, Martin Architectural; and the emerging expertise of Cinmar Lightings – ensures that Light Middle East continues to address the needs of clients and specifiers through the choice and solutions provided by exhibiting companies,” says senior show manager Silke Zachrau.
Philips once again will be a key member of the panel, having committed fully to Light Middle East’s aim of being the only annual meeting point for the regional industry.
“We are pleased to have seen Light Middle East grow into the leading lighting exhibition of the Middle East,” says Philips general manager D P Smedema. “The interest in our lighting solutions surpassed our expectations and we are delighted with the results and the potential business opportunities that the exhibition has generated. The ELDA+ (European Lighting Designers Association) conference was a truly exceptional opportunity to bring together knowledge and talent from the world’s leading lighting designers.”
Lighting design in the architecture of Middle East is on an upsurge – but nowhere more so than in Dubai. Dubai’s direct trade in lighting equipment witnessed a robust growth last year, rising by 16.3 per cent compared to 2005, reflecting an expanding market for urban, architectural and retail lighting solutions across the region.
According to data compiled by the Statistics Department of Dubai World, the trade in lighting equipment was worth $345.8 million in 2006 – an increase of $49 million over the previous year.
The new advisory board comes together at a very positive stage for Light Middle East, having just experienced a phenomenally successful show in May 2007.
With more than 8,500 visitors, an amazing 97 per cent of the 212 exhibitors confirmed that their overall objectives in terms of establishing contacts for future sales had been met or surpassed.
The ELDA+, now renamed as the Professional Lighting Designers Association (PLDA), has once again partnered with Light Middle East, to produce a distinguished conference programme, which will act as a creative platform to build a unique learning environment, to connect a diverse set of lighting designers and architects, and see pioneering trends in lighting design.
Continuing on the success of the 2007 ELDA+ Light Focus Middle East Conference, PLDA Light Focus Middle East Conference in 2008 will feature a full programme of globally renowned speakers. They will explore all areas of light and its application, including discussions around architectural lighting solutions, LEDs, and theatrical lighting.