The world’s second largest decorative luminaire lighting show, The Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition), kicked off on Oct. 27 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center. In its 17^th year, the four day lighting show was mainly split into two themes “The Hall of Aurora” and “World of Outdoor Lighting and Lighting Accessories.”

Visitors at the 17th The Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition). (All photos courtesy of LEDinside)

The show this year attracted more than 2,550 exhibitors from 35 countries and regions, setting a new fair record. Last year, 2,492 exhibitors from 37 countries attended the show. The number of buyers at the show this year comprised 76 groups and more than 4,500 companies, and 6,500 buyers on spot acquired indoor and outdoor luminaires, components, LED light sources, modules and lighting systems.

Lumileds LED product portfolio.

The large lighting show is mainly an Asian export focused exhibition. Even though some international manufacturers did not attend the show, primary American and Asian manufacturers attended the show and displayed new modules and decorative lighting including Cree, Lumileds, Seoul Semiconductor, and Citizen. These companies’ stalls were concentrated in the more crowded first floor.

Manufacturers from China included Kingsun Lighting, Neo-neon, Leedarson, Optiled, Foshan Lighting, and Skyworth. Taiwanese manufacturers include Everlight, Lextar, Top Hi-tech, Unistars, UPRtek, Prolight Opto, Alder Optomechanical, Aeon Lighting technology and others. These manufacturers displayed their latest technology and new products that were specifically targeting orders from Europe, U.S., Japan, Korean, Russian, South America, Middle East, New Zealand, Australia, Africa and other buyers.

Citizen’s solutions to lower LED lighting costs.

LEDinside observed visitors at this year’s show was about the same level as last year’s, but there were more international manufacturers this year. Many buyers came from Eastern Europe and Middle East. Other buyers from Russia, Hungary, Poland, India, Thailand, Abu Dhabi and more were seen at the show ground asking manufacturers for price quotes. Buyers from emerging market interviewed were content with LEDs maturation and low prices, paired with their country’s lighting market potential, these buyers estimated LED procurements would speed up during second half of 2016.

Additionally, British smart lighting and IoT chip manufacturer, platform suppliers, component suppliers from Germany and France, decorative lighting suppliers from Marshall Islands, Saudi Arabia, Chile, Cyprus and other countries also attended the show. Manufacturers procured products to expand their supply chain.

LED signs illuminating the Lighting Fair.

Among the 2,550 exhibitors, 1,000 of the manufacturers were involved in the LED industry or about 50%. Many manufacturers had similar product portfolios and were engaged in price wars and product quality, but still some manufacturers have been able to create special orders.

Manufacturers placing importance on lighting quality.

The show organizers also established The Hall of Aurora, which gathered some higher quality lighting designs and products. Some 520 brands attended this year’s show, indicating explosive growth in the sector.

Lighting brands that attended the show.

Another exhibition highlight was more mature smart lighting products for smart homes and offices. These smart lighting products could offer manufacturers more options in procurement applications and solutions. Remotely controlled lighting and automatic lighting system demands have grown rapidly, additionally various transmission technology, cloud platforms, and smart lighting system planning. Additionally, operating interface applications has spurred new business opportunities and increased added values in products.

It can be observed in other important exhibition areas that advertisement lighting market has grown exponentially. Manufacturers showcasing LED lighting for advertising light boxes and displays have increased, there were also plenty of manufacturers showcasing commercial lighting, residential lighting, special lighting products, or offering inspection and testing services.

Night view of Hong Kong International Fair.

The show organizer Hong Kong Trade Development Council, especially allocated an area at the show for small volume procurement area. This enabled business exchange between buyers and suppliers. There were many forums, social events that allowed interchange between manufacturers and businesses.

Buyer stickers scattered on a table at the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair.

(Author: Ivan Lin, Head of Content, TrendForcehttp:// Translator: Judy Lin, Chief Editor, LEDinside)