Leading light show opens its doors in Dubai

The Light Middle East 2007 show, which is being held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center until May 15th, is the premier event for architectural, corporate, retail, theatrical, internal, external and urban lighting.

The show has brought the very best in international designers to the Middle East and the exhibition is a respected launchpad for introducing cutting-edge futuristic lighting technology to the GCC's market.

A major part of the exhibition is the 2007 Conference, Elda+ Light Focus Middle East. A panel of 18 internationally renowned expert speakers will lead the event, which will discuss all the latest innovations of the lighting industry from sustainable energy to commercial, residential, architectural and events lighting.

Silke Zachrau, Group Exhibition Manager, Messe Frankfurt, described the conference programme as "An indication of the show's commitment to the future of the industry and its professionals. Light Middle East is dedicated to improving and inspiring today's market so that the future in lighting is brighter than ever," she said.

Sponsored by world's largest lighting manufacturer OSRAM, Light Middle East 2007 is also firmly supported by Philips, Kreon, Wila, Martin Professional and Fiberpros, who are members of the Light Middle East advisory board.

Attractions currently drawing the biggest crowds to Light Middle East 2007 are the designs and installations brought by Phillips which include items from the Strato-Sphere and You make night time so much fun collections and a special consignment called Made in the Shade, which is constructed for the show, in Dubai, designed by Rogier van der Heide.

Messe Frankfurt is committed to developing the future generations of lighting designers, through another show feature - The Future of Light, a display of work from students around the region in the area of lighting design. This gives these students an opportunity to interact with and have their work critiqued by the leading lighting designers in the world.

An installation from Beau McClellan called Reflections is another crowd-pleaser. The 5 x 6.5m semi transparent structure, a light sculpture in its own right, mirror coated and made by LED capsules and crystals is for sale at the show, for $500,000.

Silke Zachrau, Group Exhibition Manager, Messe Frankfurt, said she was delighted with the first successes of the exhibition.

"This is the leading industry trade event, and the opening day of the Light Middle East has proven it. We're pleased to have received such great participation from top manufacturers and retailers, industry professionals and designers, trade visitors and media.

Light Middle East is taking place in Zabeel Hall and is open from 10am until 7pm tomorrow and Tuesday.