Don’t Call It a Rebrand: LightFair Evolves Into New Trade Show

Messe Frankfurt Inc., the IALD, and the IES – all of whom were most recently involved as the organizers of LightFair – have announced the launch of a new lighting-and building-focused trade show and conference under the name Light + Intelligent Building North America, which was created to unite architectural lighting, connected controls, software, and building systems integration.

Set to debut March 15-18, 2027 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the event is designed first and foremost for the lighting industry – architects, engineers, lighting designers, agents, and specifiers – with the intention of “expanding the conversation to the broader building-technology ecosystem, including system integrators, facility operators, IT/OT teams, owners/developers, and utilities seeking high-performance, secure, and low-carbon outcomes,” according to a joint press release issued today.

“North America is ready for a single destination where the lighting community and the building-automation ecosystem meet,” said Latoya Gooding, senior show manager. “This launch delivers a product-to-practice experience – seeing luminaires, controls, software, and services working together – so attendees can specify, integrate, and operate smarter, safer, lower-carbon buildings.”

Acknowledging that, for decades, LightFair has played an important role in commercial and architectural lighting in North America, the new show’s organizers say that they are building on that legacy – “and the lessons of recent cycles” – when creating Light + Intelligent Building North America. The goal is to “bring the best of LightFair’s core assets into a new, purpose-built platform focused on systems integration, secure controls, commissioning, analytics, and real-world performance.”

Organizers state, “This launch is not a rebrand. It is a next-generation show that carries forward what worked – design excellence, CEU-eligible education, specifier engagement, and a strong agent/distributor network – while expanding into interoperability, lighting and controls, and building-level outcomes.”

The same partners that co-owned LightFair will now co-own this new event. In that regard, there will be a continuity of standards, community, and stewardship for the lighting industry while delivering an updated, future-ready experience where luminaires, sensors, controls, software, and building systems perform together.

“This launch advances the IES mission to improve the lighted environment by bringing standards, research, and education together with live, systems-level demonstrations,” said Colleen Harper, CEO & executive director of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). “From controls narratives and code compliance to measurable outcomes in comfort, safety, and energy, attendees will find CEU-eligible content and practical tools they can apply on day one.”

Added Christopher Knowlton, CEO of International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), “Great lighting design is at the heart of great architecture – and it is most powerful when it connects with every element of the building. Lighting design no longer exists in isolation — expanding the verticals served by this event not only mirrors the evolving state of the lighting industry but also reinforces the critical role that lighting professionals play at the heart of intelligent, health, and integrated environments. This is an important step in positioning our field for greater impact, visibility, and collaboration across the built environment.”

Familiar, But Different

As potential attendees and exhibitors might have already surmised, Light + Intelligent Building North America is purposefully aligned with Messe Frankfurt’s global Light + Building portfolio, which has enjoyed a positive reputation since its inception for connecting specifiers, designers, engineers, agents, and integrators with an international community of manufacturers, startups, standards bodies, and thought leaders.

This new North American launch will deliver a familiar experience – however tailored to regional codes, market dynamics, and project realities – so lighting and building-technology teams can move from concept to integrated performance with confidence.

“As part of Messe Frankfurt’s global Light + Building ecosystem, this North American launch is intentionally aligned with our worldwide standards of design excellence, innovation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration,” said Steffen Larbig, director of Brand Management for Light + Building. “Exhibitors and attendees will benefit from shared best practices, interoperable frameworks, and international pathways — while we bring fresh energy to the region with live integration labs, CEU-level education, and a curated marketplace built for specifiers and building-technology teams. It’s a launch that connects North America to a truly global platform — and accelerates what’s possible.”

How Exhibit Space Will Be Segmented

Light + Intelligent Building North America will organize the expo into three clearly labelled zones for fast discovery for attendees:

•Lighting – Decorative, architectural, exterior, and specialty luminaires for diverse environments

• Building Technology – Networked lighting controls, whole-building automation, integrated platforms, adaptive system management

• Accessories – Drivers, optics, sensors, LEDs, wiring solutions and installation accessories supporting design

In addition to the exhibits and special features, the conference will be a strong focus for the event. The CEU-eligible education will deliver a multi-track program spanning lighting design & installation, codes & standards, lighting for health & wellness, plus building technology topics including: integration, cybersecurity, commissioning, decarbonization, efficiency, BIM, and digital twins.

How to Exhibit

Exhibitor sales open in January. Companies that want to get a head start on floor positioning and sponsorship visibility can submit an Intent to Exhibit form now to signal interest and priority needs (booth size, product category, demo power/water, pavilion, etc.). Early intents will help align exhibitors with the right traffic patterns, match them to feature zones (Interoperability Lab, the Trend Area, Sustainability Hub, Startup & Emerging Innovation), and flag sponsorships before they sell out.

All information is available at Light + Intelligent Building North America. Companies interested in exhibiting can secure early-bird pricing; space selection begins in January. The sales team will be at several events over the coming months to learn more, including Light + Intelligent Building Dubai 2026; Light + Building in Frankfurt and a host of the IALD and the IES events.

How to Register

Attendee registration opens October 2026 with all-access conference and expo options. To receive launch updates, click here to join the mailing list.