You spoke, and we listened.
LightFair 2020, originally scheduled for May 3-7, has been canceled.
Cancelling the event was a very tough call to make but ultimately, it came down to one deciding factor: doing what's right for our industry against the backdrop of growing health concerns.
For a large annual show like ours, a cancellation weighs heavily upon us and significantly impacts our partners and stakeholders. There are many voices and views to be heard and considered. However, throughout the process, one voice rang louder and clearer than others.
Yours.
We have been listening to your concerns in your phone calls and emails to us, observing social media discussions, monitoring the impact of recent events on our industry and reaching out to our exhibitors to seek inputs.
While we considered postponing the 2020 show and holding it at a later date in mid-summer or fall, it became clear that this would not be in the best interest of our exhibitors, speakers and attendees. The financial and logistical implications had to be weighed against the broader context of the looming economic uncertainty and challenges related to resource and budget allocation.
Through long, difficult and thoughtful deliberations we concluded that cancelling LightFair 2020 would allow the industry to reallocate time and resources to navigate the immediate challenges and to plan and prepare for a strong and successful LightFair 2021.
A Partnership That Prioritizes the Industry's Interests
You may know that LightFair, produced and managed by IMC, is also co-owned by the IES and IALD. As owners and key members of LightFair's management and advisory committees, the IES and IALD represent the industry's voice, reflected in the program design as well as key decisions that impact your experience as an attendee, speaker or exhibitor. This decision was no different.
Since its inception 31 years ago, LightFair has represented a true collaboration and symbiotic partnership between the three parent organizations equally invested in the show's success and growth. Our objective is to provide the preferred marketplace for commercial and architectural lighting and the most comprehensive training for lighting design and technology professionals in one place. Rest assured, we will continue to dedicate our unwavering efforts towards this goal for 2021 and beyond.
As an industry, we will emerge from this experience more resilient, more innovative and better prepared to shape the future.
Looking ahead
We are grateful for your support throughout this process, and are looking ahead to an outstanding 2021 show in New York.
LightFair 2021 is set to be the first event to take place in the newly renovated Javits Center and in conjunction with NYCxDESIGN, New York City's annual celebration of design. Attendees will have access to both the LightFair and co-located International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) trade show floors plus additional events taking place across the five boroughs. Space selection for LightFair 2021 will begin in May 2020 and attendee registration will open in early 2021.
LightFair will resume its west coast staging June 21-23, 2022 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, and will continue to serve the thousands of designers, manufacturers, association members, industry professionals and students from across the region.
Got questions?
Check out our FAQs, and if your question is not answered here, please contact us.
Stay healthy, stay safe, and stay tuned for updates.
We will see you in New York!
