Industry Optimism and Growth: Looking Back on the Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo

December 2, 2024

By Elle Bremmer

Attracting more than 50,000 buyers from around the world, the 26th Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) and the 9th Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo was by all definitions, a success. The twin fair events, which were organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), cemented Hong Kong’s position as a center for international trade and innovation. 

The HKTDC‘s Deputy Executive Director, Sophia Chong, emphasized that the fairs brought in a sizable number of foreign customers and opened up cross-industry sourcing prospects. In addition to pointing to the rise in attendance from nations including Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Italy, and the Netherlands, she said that both fairs strengthened Hong Kong’s standing as a major trading hub.

Industry Optimism and Growth Projections

An independent survey of over 710 exhibitors and buyers conducted at the fairs revealed strong optimism within the lighting industry. 61% of respondents expected sales growth over the next 12 to 24 months, while 61% also identified artificial intelligence (AI) as a key driver for future industry growth. Respondents expressed the most optimism about emerging markets, particularly the Middle East (88%) and Latin America (80%).

Regarding lighting product trends, 43% of respondents saw energy-efficient lighting control solutions as having the greatest potential in the smart lighting market, followed by home automation (36%) and smart lighting control systems (27%).

I had the chance to speak with several buyers at the fair who agreed with the overall industry optimism. One buyer from the United States remarked that he was “impressed with the overall amount and quality of products on display.”

Highlights from the Lighting Fairs

Under this year’s theme of  “Light & Life,” the fairs showcased innovative products and solutions that integrate lighting with daily living. The Autumn Lighting Fair revealed several key industry trends, including sustainability, healthy living, and human-centred design. The newly upgraded and ever-popular Hall of Connected Lighting featured over 50 internationally renowned brands from eight countries, including Signify, Tridonic, and TUYA Smart, which launched new products to meet the growing demand for smart lighting solutions.

 On the first day of the lighting fair, sessions at the Innovative Lighting forum including multiple talks around the subjects of The Arts of Lighting: Astonishing Design for the Dynamic Future, and Lighting Design Tugging at the Heartstrings: Integrating the Cultural Legacy of RCEP Markets. 

“The Arts of Lighting: Astonishing Design for the Dynamic Future” delved into the evolving role of lighting in shaping dynamic environments. Experts discussed how innovative lighting design can transform spaces, highlighting the intersection of technology, sustainability, and artistic expression in human-centred lighting. The forum showcased how lighting can not only enhance functionality but also create emotional connections and inspire new ways of interacting with the built environment.

In “Lighting Design Tugging at the Heartstrings: Integrating the Cultural Legacy of RCEP Markets,” speakers explored how lighting design can reflect and preserve the cultural heritage of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) markets. This session emphasized the importance of incorporating cultural narratives and traditional elements into modern lighting designs, ensuring that innovation is rooted in local history and values. The forum highlighted case studies from RCEP countries, showing how lighting can be used as a medium for storytelling and cultural expression.

At day two of the Connected Lighting Forum, titled “Connecting to a Better World: Comprehensive Application of Smart Lighting”, we explored the transformative potential of smart lighting in creating connected, sustainable environments. The application of smart lighting technologies, integrated with IoT, AI, and data analytics, was explored in terms of how they optimize energy efficiency, enhance safety, and support sustainability across urban, commercial, and residential spaces. The session highlighted the growing role of connected lighting in smart cities, where lighting systems not only provide illumination but also gather data for urban management. Speakers emphasized how smart lighting is helping reduce energy consumption, improve public safety, and enhance user experiences.

In terms of turnout, Tridonic GmbH CEO Hugo Rohner noted a strong turnout of new buyers from Europe and the Middle East, especially for their lichtMONITOR lighting management software, which was unveiled for the first time in Asia at the fair. The product launch session was well attended.

Jason Yan, Sales Manager of Hangzhou Sky-Lighting Co., Ltd., reported a 20-30% increase in booth traffic and projected US$40-50 million in orders following the Autumn Lighting Fair. At the Outdoor and Tech Light Expo, Liu Jie of Jiangsu Fute Lighting Group estimated US$10 million in potential orders for smart streetlights and signal lights, particularly from buyers in Saudi Arabia, UAE, India, and Argentina.

Driving Innovation in Outdoor and Smart Lighting

The Outdoor and Tech Light Expo featured a new Smart Pole and Solution zone, attracting significant interest from buyers in the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America. Liu Jie highlighted strong interest from buyers looking for smart streetlight and urban lighting solutions, with negotiations already underway for substantial orders.

Buyers also engaged actively with the Click2Match platform, an online business matching service that facilitated connections between exhibitors and international buyers. David Daniels, President of Etlin-Daniels Electrical Devices Inc. in Ontario, shared that he planned to purchase US$450,000 worth of area lights and US$800,000 in LED products from existing suppliers at the fair, after discovering new potential suppliers through the platform.

Cross-Industry Networking and Future Opportunities

Together, the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair and the Outdoor and Tech Light Expo drew some 3,000 exhibitors and over 50,000 buyers from around the world. The fairs provided valuable business opportunities, with exhibitors reporting strong interest and projected sales in the millions.

It was a pleasure to return to Hong Kong and get a first-look at new industry trends and technologies and we hope to see you there next year!