The co located tradeshows, Light Middle East and Prolight + Sound Middle East have both recorded a 9 percent a YOY increase in visitor numbers following a three-day run at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). Both events which highlighted some of the market's most advanced technology in audio and visual solutions and lighting design products, were organized by Messe Frankfurt Middle East. The region's premier exhibition and conference for lighting design and technology, Light Middle East recorded an increased visitor number of 6,218 from 67 countries, marking a boost for the three-day trade show. "Light Middle East is one of the biggest for lighting in the region and it gets the footfall," said Sharmila Kumbhat, Director, K-Lite Industries. "People who visited us were genuinely interested in the product and it's important for us to interact with potential and existing customers. This helps us learn and adapt to the market. Everyone has their own design preferences and all the feedback we get is valuable." The lighting show, which featured 311 exhibitors from 32 countries, hosted six dedicated segments, covering LED lighting (42 percent of exhibitors), decorative lighting and accessories, home and building automation, electrical and electronic components and accessories for lighting systems; electric lamps; and technical lighting and accessories. The Light Middle East Awards 2019 hosted more than 500 industry professionals, taking place at Atlantis, The Palm. From an entry of list of 300 entries, 45 projects and 31 products were shortlisted across 12 award categories. Notably, dpa Lighting Consultants took home three awards on the night, which included the Entertainment and Leisure Lighting Project of the Year and the Hotel Lighting Project of the Year for its projects in the UAE. Meanwhile, Dubai-based Arts Outdoor Lighting Technology Middle East won the Light Art Project of the Year for its Burj Khalifa New Year's Eve 2019 light show. Internationally, Pfarré Lighting Design was awarded the International Lighting Project of the Year for its Rothschild Collection, while the Personality of the Year went to Women in Lighting Ambassador Sakina Dugawalla-Moeller, Owner and Principal at Light.func. The region's dedicated exhibition and conference for professional lighting and audio & AV technology, Prolight + Sound Middle also noted an increase in visitor number, with a final tally of 3,020 visitors from 67 countries. "This year's show has by far been the best year we've participated in, it's clear that there has been a lot of hard work put in from the Prolight team," said Simon Daniel, General Manager of Masterpiece. "The visitor profile has widened and it's great to see prospective clients from all over the region with lots of new faces and potential projects. The show has always been such an important platform for our market and never disappoints with its range of products on display and business opportunities." Prolight + Sound Middle East featured the latest products and developments in the professional lighting and audio industry, and hosted 58 exhibitors from 10 countries. The show carried a strong hi-tech focus and put a spotlight on the Media & Entertainment market within the region. — SG
