Spring Lighting Fair opens with new exhibitor record

HONG KONG: More than 1,000 exhibitors from 12 countries and regions, a new exhibitor record, are taking part in the fifth edition of the HKTDC Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition), which opened today and continues through 9 April at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

New product zones
First-time exhibitors from Finland, Greece, India, Macau and the United Kingdom are participating in this year’s fair, which features three new zones: the Hall of Display World, showcasing the latest offerings in advertising lighting, the World of Chandeliers and the Small-Order Zone.

The Small-Order Zone, located at the Expo Drive Entrance, features over 320 showcases with thousands of products including lighting, electronics, houseware as well as gifts and premium items. Hot Picks’ showcases allow buyers to try out the zone’s offerings.

This year’s Hall of Aurora welcomes 127 exhibitors and some 140 brands. Other major exhibit areas include: the Hall of LED & Green Lighting, Commercial Lighting, Decorative Lighting, Lighting Accessories, Parts & Components, Technical & Outdoor Lighting, and the Business of IP Zone.

LED spotlight 
The Asian Lighting Forum takes place today, with the morning session spotlighting lighting developments and the afternoon session focusing on sustainable lighting in residential and commercial buildings.

Fair seminars will examine LED lighting (7 April), and metropolitan lighting design trends, and testing and certification services in Hong Kong (8 April). A buyer forum will focus on business opportunities in mature markets and Asia (7 April), while an exhibitor forum (8 April) considers the latest eco-friendly lighting products.

Lighting by design
The sixth Hong Kong Lighting Design Competition Award Presentation Ceremony takes place this evening. This year’s theme was Symphony of Light, and winners will be announced in the Open Group and Student Group categories. Some 210 entries were received in the two categories. The winning pieces will be showcased in the fair’s display area, Hall 1C Concourse, throughout the fair.

Global buying missions
More than 50 buying missions from 50 countries and regions, consisting of over 3,400 buyers from nearly 2,500 companies, are taking part in this year’s lighting fair.

They include representatives from such home-improvement retailers and retail chains as LED Lighting Tecnologia em Iluminacao Ltda from Brazil, LinYi TianMa Light Co Ltd from the Chinese mainland, Wipro from India, Orbit Lighting from New Zealand, Daste from Poland, Megalux and PROlight from Russia, Ull Lighting Industrial Corp from Taiwan, Lighting & Equipment Public Co, Ltd from Thailand, Adım Aydınlatma from Turkey and Gargash Lighting System LLC from the United Arab Emirates.

Exports rising
Hong Kong’s lighting product exports in the first two months of 2013 were up 38 percent over the same period last year, to HK$1.9 billion ($237 million). Exports to the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong’s biggest export market for lighting products, were up 244 percent in the first two months of 2013, year-on-year.