Taking the lighting sector’s transformation in stride, the Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition (GILE) wrapped up its 21st edition with visitor figures reaching a record high. The expo maintains its steady position as an influential and comprehensive lighting and LED event by receiving strong industry support – support that was demonstrated through its largest annouced visitor figures in decades. The 2016 edition, held from 9 – 12 June at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou, welcomed 145,080 visitors (2015: 135,990) – more than a six percent increase from last year’s numbers – from 137 countries and regions. These professionals hailed from China as well as from various developed and emerging markets worldwide. The top 10 overseas visiting countries and regions were Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Korea, Thailand, Singapore, the US, Australia, Italy and Germany.

Though the show coincided with a national Chinese holiday, the Dragon Boat Festival, the 17 exhibition halls were abuzz all four days. The brightly illuminated booths of 2,399 exhibitors from 23 countries and regions lined 175,000 gross sqm of exhibit space. Not only was the latest wave of innovative lighting-related products showcased but companies also staged the newest applications for retail, residential, industrial, office, hospitality, transport and urban purposes. Some of the offerings on display included:

Chip Scale Package (CSP) technology
CSP simplifies packaging processes by allowing more flexible and compact LED module and fixture designs to reduce overall system costs.

Driver on board (DoB) technology
DoB packages power drivers directly onto circuit boards to minimise the light source size. DoB solutions are easy to install, have cost-effective drivers and adjustable lightning sources.

Filament LEDs
A hot item at GILE 2016, filament bulbs combine the benefits of LED lamps with the design of incandescent bulbs that is valued by traditionalists.

Specialised lighting applications
UV packages with different wavelengths can be broadly applied to industrial PCB colloid curing, printer ink dryers, money verifiers, nail curing and tanning machines. Also exhibited were radiation-, lead- and mercury-free UV/IR LED modules that are ideal for outdoor lighting applications. Horticultural LED lighting with small form factors, high efficiency and long service life, provide flexibility for growers. Dimmable and controllable, these LEDs can be easily set in cycles to promote plant growth.

Smart lighting
Integrated smart lighting systems for the home boast unique user interfaces and panel controls that monitor movement. Also showcased were outdoor smart lighting solutions that combine real-time video surveillance, charge management and Wi-Fi-enabled app control functions.

Regarding this year’s show, Ms Lucia Wong, Deputy General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd, commented: “The convergence of lighting with state-of-the-art designs and technologies was prevalent in every dimension of the 2016 fair through the display of new product developments as well as design and connectivity concepts. I am sincerely grateful for the global lighting community’s support and demonstration of an all-inclusive mix of lighting applications. Unrelenting innovation and the exchange of market intelligence are vital to the progression of the lighting industry, and we will continue to foster these elements as a global platform committed to unearthing the industry’s breakthrough advancements.”

Seminars and expert dialogue stimulated exploration of lighting industry’s different dimensions

Identified by the theme “THNKLIGHT: A new dimension”, the 2016 fair curated a matching event programme to promote the discussion and creation of big ideas. Over 100 seminar sessions came to life with expert speakers and attendees representing various facets of the lighting world. They engaged in dialogue concerning the various multitudes of lighting and shed light on the future of the industry.
Guest speaker and lighting designer for the City of Malmö in Sweden, Mr Johan Moritz, explained: “Everyone is talking about big data, smart cities, artificial intelligence and the IoT. Lighting is not only about energy efficiency anymore but more about delivering human-centric solutions and comfort to human beings.”

Mr Lear Hsieh, another seminar speaker and President of the Chinese Lighting Designer Association, shares similar views. He adds: “Lighting in the future will be a combination of various technologies and it will automatically adjust according to human behaviours. Devices for lighting and ambiance will eventually be indistinguishable and we will only see the light, instead of the housings, that we ought to see.”
Moving forward, Mr Bryan Douglas, CEO and Secretary General at the Lighting Council Australia and Global Lighting Association, respectively, shares how companies can adapt to the changing landscape. He states: “In the future, companies must further consolidate and form partnerships with high-tech players to survive. They must embrace smart lighting, smart cities and connected lighting, and all luminaires must have the capabilities to have full connectivity.”

The fair’s multiscale efforts to stimulate exchange of new lighting concepts began in January 2016. In the lead up to the show, industry professionals submitted entries that revealed sustainability, digitalisation and individualisation are gaining ever-increasing importance in the lighting field. Moreover, experts agree that lighting is expanding beyond basic illumination and playing a more integral role in users’ daily lives. The fair demonstrated that lighting can improve moods, optimise work performance, heighten security and improve overall health.

From a design perspective, one show participant likened lighting to a delicate art – an art that requires creating balance between the atmosphere and functionality to create experiences by accentuating and reinterpreting architecture. Other specialists, who see lighting as a service, believe a properly designed and optimised lighting system can impact an organisation’s financial bottom line. They also shared that, over time, lighting will become more controllable and this will give way to emergence of more innovations.

Exhibitors and vistors discover valuable business prospects at the fair

Once again, GILE cemented its position as a gathering point for the global lighting community. Both exhibitors and visitors alike spoke positively about their ability to achieve their business objectives at the fair.
Mr Somnuk Ovuthitham, CEO at LeKise Lighting Co Ltd from Thailand, said: “GILE is an influential lighting exhibition with countless interesting products and technologies attracting suppliers and customers. There are ample opportunities for us here and we have already found promising business leads with visitors from the Middle East, Europe and Asia.”
Twelve-time exhibitor from Italy, Fumagalli, shares the same sentiment. Ms Chiara Fumagalli, Commercial Director at the company, expressed: “The show, for us, is a meeting point for existing partners, finding new ones and connecting with component suppliers. Frankly speaking, I am happy about this exhibition and it gives us good results. We have been able to achieve all of our objectives here and we will return.”

For Mr Toshiki Nakata, Japan Optical Liquid Product Development Group Leader at Dow Corning’s Japan office, the fair enables him to see and be seen in the market. Mr Nakata shares: “Here, we can connect with industry professionals and competitors to better understand the market. The exhibition also provides a good chance to learn how many players are in the industry and how active they are.”

Domestic exhibitor Mr Guo Zhijun, Deputy General Manager at Everfine Corporation, said: “GILE is one of the most influential platforms for the development of the lighting and LED industry. The show covers everything from raw materials and equipment to applications and finished products. This enables us to connect with clients throughout the entire supply chain as well as discuss technological know-how with other exhibitors. We strongly recommend the fair to our industry peers and will be back again next year.”

The fair is also effective for buyers. Mr Mustafa Ergin Gungormez, Purchasing Manager at Pelsan from Turkey, told: “I came to GILE to source outdoor and indoor lighting, and have already met some potential suppliers that meet my quality requirements and placed orders with them. The fair is very effective as it allows me to find a wide range of suppliers that can produce good quality products that are reasonably priced.”

Return visitor from India and representative for True Light, Mr Rupesh Mehta, expressed: “The show is indeed a good platform to not only source products but also to learn about the new ideas floating around in the industry. Extensive product variety and the latest technologies, coupled with clear advantages will bring us back to this exhibition next year.”

GILE connects serious business players together. Mr Robert Paajanen, CEO and Managing Director at AIRAM / Oy Airam Electric Ab from Finland, disclosed: “I have been visiting the Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition for five years now and I look forward to sourcing the newest lighting components every time. I have already met a few suppliers here and will visiting their manufacturing facilities after the show.”

The success of the 21st edition builds excitement for the 2017 show. Ms Lucia Wong added: “The lighting industry is evolving with opportunities abound and giving rise to more advanced technologies. As the industry evolves and transforms, the lighting community will learn to adapt to and seize never-before-seen challenges and opportunities. By striving to keep information flow and dialogue open, GILE will continue to stay abreast of the latest industry developments and support the exploration of the new dimensions of lighting.”

The Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition was held concurrently with Guangzhou Electrical Building Technology. Both events are headed by the biennial Light + Building event which will take place from 18 – 23 March 2018 in Frankfurt, Germany. The next edition of Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition is scheduled to take place from 9 – 12 June 2017 at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou.

Messe Frankfurt also offers a series of other light and building technology events worldwide, including the Shanghai International 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.light-building.com/brand. For more information regarding the lighting shows in China, please visit www.light.messefrankfurt.com.cn or email light@china.messefrankfurt.com.