Japan's leading female lighting designer confirms participation in the ELDA+ Light Focus Middle East Conference

This innovative show and conference, which is the only design-led international trade fair and conference of its kind in this region, offers exhibitors and visitors the perfect platform to obtain knowledge on the latest technologies and inspirations within the field of Lighting.

2006 was an excellent year for Light Middle East; the organisers envisage even greater success for the 2007 show. Silke Zachrau, Group Exhibition Manager said, "The ELDA+ Light Focus Middle East Conference, which is being organised by Messe Frankfurt Middle East in partnership with the European Lighting Designers' Association, ELDA+, is expecting approximately 20 of the world's most inspirational leading lighting designers. We are extremely excited about this prospect and foresee great things for Light Middle East."

The 2007 conference welcomes Motoko Ishii and her daughter Akari-Lisa Ishii, both internationally acclaimed and highly successful lighting designers, who will be sharing their knowledge and expertise with delegates. It will be the first year that Light Middle East will welcome female speakers to the conference.

Both mother and daughter have worked on some amazing projects, including the Royal Reception Pavilion at Jeddah International Airport, Saudi Arabia; Hong Kong Convention Centre, Hong Kong; The Melbourne Central, Australia; Co-production of Japan and Italy, Puccini's Madame Butterfly; Veuve Cliequot Vintage Party, Tokyo; Pompidou Center Metz Architecture Lighting, Paris and Volks Wagen Auto Stadt Tokyo Decadence Restaurant, Germany.

As well as working on these projects, Motoko and Akari-Lisa have both published books relating to lighting design. Examples of these are: Light to Infinity, Lighting Horizons both by Motoko Ishii and My Work, Fascinated by Lights - Lighting Project of Notre Dame de Paris by Akari-Lisa Ishii.

From the US, Paul Gregory will also be speaking at the ELDA+ Light Focus Middle East Conference. Paul trained in theatrical lighting design at the Art Institute of Chicago; this led to Architectural Lighting Design at Parsons School of Design in New York. After spending a number of years in theatrical lighting design, Paul founded the Litelab Corporation, where he was responsible for major design projects in museums, theatres and entertainment facilities. In 1986 Paul formed Focus Lighting Inc.

Paul believes that a sense of drama and theatre are inherent in successful architecture. Some of Paul's projects includes Robert De Niro's new hotel, NYC; The Tribeca Grand Hotel, NYC; The Entel Tower, tallest building in Santiago Chile and Toys R Us Flagship store, Times Square NYC.

Other confirmed speakers include Rogier van der Heide (Arup), Jonathan Speirs & Mark Major (Speirs & Major Associates) and Tapio Rosenius (Maurice Brill Lighting Design). Martin Architectural have also confirmed their support and sponsorship of the ELDA+ Light Focus Middle East Conference for the second year.

Set to be an inspirational event, ELDA+ Light Focus Middle East Conference takes place during Light Middle East 13th - 15th May 2007 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.