Industry accolades for Messe Frankfurt's inaugural Light Middle East

For the first time ever in the Middle East, three of the world's top lighting associations - the European Lighting Design Association (ELDA+), the International Association of Lighting Design (IALD) and the Lighting Urban Community International (LUCI) - will be showing their commitment to, and support of the Middle East lighting industry through their partnership with the region's leading trade show for architectural, urban and retail lighting solutions - Light Middle East 2007.

The Light Middle East 2006 Exhibition and Conference witnessed the region's most senior lighting professionals network and conduct business with over 120 exhibitors and ten of the world's leading lighting designers over three days. The conference proved to be a huge draw card with the industry, the 2007 show, set for 13th - 15th May at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, we will host 20 of the world's respected lighting designers.

Light Middle East 2007 will continue to build on this successful platform by once again shaping the exhibition and conference with the support and guidance of the Light Middle East Advisory Panel. Key companies from the lighting industry such as Osram, Philips, Martin Architectural, Kreon, Wila and Fibrepros have already accepted their invitation to sit on this advisory panel. Representatives from the advisory board commented on the Light Middle East Exhibition and Conference.

Bilal Assidi from Martin Architectural, stated, ""Light Middle East, in comparison to other shows within the region, far exceeds all our expectations. We are extremely impressed by the content of the Light Conference, which has joined together the most important lighting designers from across the globe, which overall has aided in attracting the key figures within the lighting field."

Hans te Loeke, Manager of Luminaires Middle East, Philips reiterated this. "The Light Middle East fair exceeded our expectations...the team of Messe Frankfurt Middle East did a great job as they managed to bring together some of the world's leading lighting designers. The conferences given by Jonathan Speirs, Mark Major, Rogier van der Heide, Kevan Shaw and many others attracted the right type of visitors. With the help of Messe Frankfurt I have no doubt that next year's fair will again exceed our expectations."

"Light Middle East 2006 has been very successful for us... One major advantage with 'Light ME' is the quality of visitors which have highly been frequenting OSRAMs stall. Secondly, what we would like to point out is the top and professional service and organization which is provided by Messe Frankfurt. We are confident that 'Light Middle East' will continuously establish itself as the one and only professional light fair in the region", Peter Rothnie, Marketing Manager, OSRAM.

As Garry James, Managing Director of Fibrepros mentioned "...Its just great to finally have a dynamic lighting show taking place in Dubai, and to have Messe Frankfurt Middle East managing the show, can only inspire the lighting industry in the Middle East".

The success of this launch show can be judged from the fact that after only one year in the market, 74% of Light Middle East exhibitors believe that the show is crucially important to the region and 95% of Light Middle East Exhibitors stated that the quality of visitors met or surpassed their expectations. Almost 90% of all visitors to Light Middle East 2006 came across a new product or service at the show, indicating the need for this dedicated show for architectural, urban and retail lighting in the region.

As well as supporting Light Middle East 2007, ELDA will also lend their extensive experience, network and support to Messe Frankfurt Middle East in the organization of the ELDA+ Light Focus Middle East - the 2007 version of the Light Middle East. After the success of the previous conference, four of the world's top architectural lighting designers - Paul Gregory, Jonathan Speirs, Mark Major and Rogier van der Heide - have already confirmed their support for, and participation in the ELDA+ Light Focus Middle East Conference.

Rogier van der Heide IALD, Global Leader of Arup Lighting, "Already after its first year of existence, Light Middle East is the region's prime event that developers, lighting designers, architects and clients alike can not afford to miss. Light ME's conference is a unique opportunity to learn from some of the profession's leaders, and brings together knowledge and talent from all over the world."

Light Middle East 2007 will once again bring to the Middle East the world's leading manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and designers of architectural, retail and urban lighting solutions. Light Middle East is set to take place in Zabeel Hall of the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre from the 13th - 15th May 2007.