Lightovation Indicates Growth for 2026

Dallas Market Center announced that the January Lightovation numbers show year-over-year growth and reveal other positive indicators for the year ahead.

The recent Lightovation show wrapped up its January edition with strong buyer turnout and a renewed focus on design, innovation, and education, noted the Dallas Market Center (DMC).  According to the organization’s tabulation, last month’s Lightovation delivered its strongest attendance in multiple years, including a 25% increase in attendance by retail showrooms as well as interior designers, architects, builders, plus kitchen and bath designers and showrooms. By all accounts, buyers visited many new and expanded lighting exhibitors, attended seminars and tours, and took advantage of networking opportunities.

“Attendees came to Lightovation with clear goals and strong interest in new product,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “This January’s show also reflected where the industry is headed, with strong growth in exterior lighting and kitchen and bath, deeper engagement from the design and build community, and a clear focus on business.”

After attending her first Lightovation, designer Chiara Manhas of Manhas Design remarked, “Our first Lightovation was truly a valuable opportunity for us designers to see beautiful exhibitor lighting products. The Dallas Market Center has so much to offer, and the design community is truly so lucky to have such a valuable resource!” 

Added first-time attendee Melanie Stack, design director of Pembrooke & Ives, “Lightovation was an amazing event, highlighting so many different exhibitors and types of lighting, as well as designers and panelists. I’ve already shared so many resources with our team!”

Exteriorscape Display Received Plenty of Attention
The brand new Exteriorscape visual display on the third-floor atrium of the Trade Mart captured the style and innovation available in exterior lighting and highlighted 10 Lightovation exhibitors’ collections. Featured brands included AIC (TM 4806), Auroralight/Kuzco (TM 4010), Brilliance LED (TM 4432-16), DALS Lighting (TM 3602), ET2 Lighting (TM 3905), Eurofase (TM 4002), GM Lighting (TM 3143), Hinkley (TM 3210), WAC Group (TM 3101), and Z-Lite (TM 4600), with outdoor furniture provided by Rose Casual (WTC 9060).

The first day of the show, Saturday January 10, was devoted to outdoor lighting and kicked off with an exterior lighting controls workshop, a panel on the latest exterior lighting trends, and an exhibitor tour highlighting manufacturers’ outdoor lighting solutions.

The Exteriorscape display will remain in place through the June Lightovation, giving attendees multiple opportunities to experience the showcase during key events, including Dallas Design Days (April 14–15), and summer editions of Design + Build Day (June 23) and Lightovation (June 24–27).

Kitchen & Bath Designers Visited Lightovation
Many kitchen and bath designers and distributors came to Lightovation, and Tricia Zach, director of research for the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), presented the 2026 Kitchen and Bath Trends report, which offered a look at current and upcoming trends that will have the biggest impact in 2026 and beyond. The trend report was followed by a panel as well as an exhibitor tour to see the trends in person across the lighting marketplace.

Design + Build Day Offered Special Programming

On Tuesday, January 13, Lightovation featured Design + Build Day, a full day dedicated to expert insights, trend inspiration, and access to the latest innovations. Held on the final day of Lightovation, the event included keynotes, panels, showroom tours, and networking in partnership with Interior Design and Metropolis magazines from Sandow Design Group.

The next edition of Lightovation will take place Wednesday, June 24 through Saturday, June 27, with Design + Build Day, inviting architects, builders, and designers for a full day of education and a first look at the latest lighting innovations, on Tuesday, June 23.

Lightovation Discounted Hotel Space Is Filling Up
All Lightovation attendees and exhibitors are encouraged to book hotel rooms for the June edition of Lightovation to secure availability and preferred rates within Dallas Market Center’s official hotel blocks, especially with FIFA World Cup games taking place in the region. Almost all properties and rates from January 2026 are also available for June and can be explored and reserved here.  

As an added incentive to book hotel rooms early, qualified Lightovation attendees who book in the show’s official hotel blocks by March 1 are eligible for entry for a drawing for a pair of VIP Hospitality tickets to the June 27 World Cup Group Stage match between Argentina and Jordan. For full details about this opportunity, click here.

Additional information about the largest residential lighting show in North America is available on the Lightovation page on the Dallas Market Center website. Keep up with the latest developments by following the #Lightovation and #dallasmarket hashtags on social media, visiting the Lightovation Facebook Page and joining the Lightovation – Lighting Industry Discussion Group on Facebook.

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