Autumn Fair, organised by i2i Events Group, has signed an agreement with the Lighting Industry Association (LIA) to put on The Light Show at Autumn Fair for a further three years.
The agreement follows on from the debut edition of The Light Show at Autumn Fair 2015, which saw a host of industry giants supporting the only LIA endorsed decorative lighting trade event in the UK.
Exhibitors already signed up to join the event this year include: Illuminati Lighting, Dar Lighting, Firstlight, Bravo, Collectiviste, Emporio Arts, Ala Lamba, Impex Russell, Rasmi Lighting, BeeArtisan and Luxform Global.
The impressive lighting showcase – located in Hall 2 of the exhibition – ideally complements Autumn Fair’s growing home interiors sector, which attracts thousands of specialist retailers, contract buyers, interior designers and specifiers who have a primary interest in lighting.
A major factor in the decision to host The Light Show at Autumn Fair was the timing of the exhibition, which takes place during the first week of September and coincides well with the key buying period for lighting, as the days shorten and nights get longer.
Speaking of the new agreement, LIA COO Peter Hunt says: “After the success of the inaugural Light Show at The Autumn Fair in September last year and the positive feedback from exhibitors, The LIA are proud to announce their on-going endorsement of the show for a further three years as part of our commitment to grow and develop the consumer lighting industry.
“The Light Show is a perfect opportunity for LIA Members and potential members, active within the decorative sector to meet and do business with key retailers and buyers. In response to the LIA commitment the organisers, Autumn Fair has agreed to a major marketing campaign to promote the show at home and abroad to increase the footfall and exhibitor profile.”
Autumn Fair is attended by a huge, high quality audience of buyers from across the retail spectrum. It is one of the most important transactional trade shows in the UK and wider European buying calendar, serving as a strong barometer of the economic state of the nation.
The 2015 edition was attended by buyers from 76 of the top 100 high street retailers in the UK, including Bentalls, Habitat, Fenwick, Debenhams, House of Fraser, TK Maxx, Next and Homebase.
For The Light Show 2016, Autumn Fair will implement a major marketing programme aimed at broadening the reach of the event even further. New features already being planned by the steering committee for next year include the Enlighten zone, dedicated to business content, networking and knowledge sharing.
Also new for 2016 will be the Designer Lights showcase, an additional platform within The Light Show for design-led contemporary brands. Designer Lights will incorporate a host of exciting new lighting designers, presenting their latest creations alongside some of the most iconic brands in the industry.
Keeping the focus on cutting-edge design will be regular Trend briefings given by WGSN from the Fashion Accessories Catwalk, which will explore lighting solutions in the home and other interiors.
Autumn Fair portfolio director, Naomi Barton, says: “We are delighted to announce that an agreement has been reached with the LIA to put on The Light Show at Autumn Fair for a further three years. The show offers exceptional cross-over buying opportunities for both exhibitors and retailers in this sector, as the Home Interiors offering of the show continues to grow and inspire quality buyers from around the country.
We are very proud to be partnering with the LIA and look forward to working closely with their team to build on the success of the inaugural edition of The Light Show for many years to come.”
The Light Show at Autumn Fair 2016 is due to take place from 4-7th September 2016 at the NEC, Birmingham.
