DUBAI — Recent announcements of major developments across the UAE coupled with ambitious sustainable lighting projects have drawn the attention of the international lighting community to the Middle East, with global manufacturers from the UK and Italy among the big names gearing up to participate at Light Middle East 2015. Dubai has put in place plans that include the installation of sustainable lighting in parks and streets and the implementation of green building codes across new projects in the city, in order to make it among the top ten sustainable cities in the world by 2020. Abu Dhabi Municipality also recently revealed a major sustainability initiative, whereby the UAE Capital will install LED lighting across public spaces and thoroughfares, bringing down the cost of public lighting by up to 75% over 20 years, while reducing carbon emissions by 75% and maintenance costs by up to 80%. Additionally, the announcement of spectacular new developments such as Meydan One in Dubai – which on completion will house 78,000 residents, includes the world's tallest residential tower, a 5-star hotel, a marina yacht club, and a shopping mall – will create fresh demand for state-of-the-art lighting technology and design. The latest innovative systems and equipment will be under the spotlight when more than 350 exhibitors from 27 countries showcase 430 brands at Light Middle East 2015, the region's dedicated exhibition for lighting design and technology. Taking place on Oct. 6-8, 2015 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the three-day event is organized by Messe Frankfurt Middle East, and will be the launch pad for new products leading sustainable and contemporary lighting design. “The UAE's commitment to sustainability and energy conservation is transforming the way the country uses energy, while driving demand for environmentally-friendly lighting systems and technology,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East. “This sustainability shift is continuing to spread into the wider Middle East, making it one of the more attractive markets for leading names in the international lighting industry, and every year we're a seeing growing interest in the region from global players at Light Middle East.” At the forefront of the robust international participation at Light Middle East 2015 are more than 30 brands from Italy and the UK, many of which are exhibiting at the countries' Government-backed pavilions. A total of 14 UK exhibitors will be on board the British Pavilion supported by the UK Lighting Industry Association, including Bell, Collingwood, LED Flex, Luxonic, Mike Stoane, and Whitegoods. Standalone UK exhibitors include acdc, Luceco, Abacus, and Orlight. The Italian Pavilion will feature more than 10 companies, including Futura Progetti, Ilmas, Living Light, Paber, while standalone exhibitors include C Luce, Fivep, PUK Italia, Civic, and Targetti. Many are launching new product lines and looking for large-scale growth in what they perceive as a very active market. LED Flex, for example, is launching a range of LED Pro Panels and High CRI (color rendering index) LED Flex's at Light Middle East 2015. Anthony Kerr of LED Flex said: “The futuristic vision that the UAE is built on is something we really want to be a part of. We are at the forefront of the lighting industry and there is no better place in the world to show our technologies to the key decision makers to see our products in the buildings of the future.” Further underlining the positive market sentiment is Orlight, which is looking to expand within the Middle East region, and will launch at Light Middle East 2015 its innovative LED Linear Product that is unique to the lighting industry. Situl Jetha, Design Director at Orlight, said: “Currently the value of business we undertake in the Middle East is set to expand tenfold with the inclusion of a direct base in Dubai. “Within this region, it's apparent that finding low energy solutions is paramount, but what we can offer as a company is unparalleled customer service with innovative and unique products that allow us to provide turnkey solutions all the way from design through to the supply of our products.” UK and Italian brands also have strong representation at Light Middle East among regional suppliers, including the show's Gold Sponsor Huda Lighting, which has British luminaire and systems brands Lucent, KKDC, njo LEDs, and Radiant, along with Italian brands Luce & Light, 3f-Filippi, and Slamp as part of its product line-up. Light Middle East 2015 will also feature a country pavilion from Korea, while the international flavor will be complemented by exhibitors from Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Kuwait, Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, and the USA. UAE-based Lightitude will showcase UK brands Alphaled, Photonstar, and Precision Lighting, while Speclight will represent Blight from Italy. Now in its 10th edition, Light Middle East 2015 returns with the fast-growing Future Zone, a special section dedicated to innovative products and technologies and trend-setting lighting solutions previously unseen in the region. Other returning features include the Light Middle East Conference on Oct. 7-8, highlighting key issues impacting the regional lighting industry, while the prestigious Light Middle East Awards will celebrate the region's most outstanding lighting projects and designers. — SG
