Lightovation, the largest residential lighting marketplace in North America, wrapped its January edition with strong buyer turnout and a renewed focus on design, innovation, and education. January’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. 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.”

What First-Time Attendees Had to Say

Chiara Manhas, Designer, Manhas Design said: “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!” 

Melanie Stack, Design Director, Pembrooke & Ives, said: “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: Inspiring Landscape Design Display
Capturing the style and innovation available in exterior lighting, Exteriorscape, a special display on the third floor of the Trade Mart, showcased 10 Lightovation exhibitors’ standout collections. These brands represent the best in architectural, landscape, and pathway lighting. 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 June 2026, 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).

National Kitchen & Bath Association
Kitchen and bath designers and showrooms were present at Lightovation, and Tricia Zach, Director of Research for the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), presented the 2026 Kitchen and Bath Trends report, offering a look at current and upcoming trends in residential baths 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

On Tuesday, January 13, Lightovation featured Design + Build Day, a full day dedicated to expert insights, trend inspiration, and access to the latest innovations within the largest residential lighting marketplace in North America. 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.

Book June Lightovation Hotel Rooms Now
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 at https://book.passkey.com/event/51023095/owner/14227/home.

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, visit https://blog.dallasmarketcenter.com/guide-to-june-2026-lightovation-hotel-bookings.

Additional information about the largest residential lighting show in North America is available on the Lightovation page at https://dallasmarketcenter.com/lightovation of 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.

About Dallas Market Center

Dallas Market Center is a global business-to-business trade center and the leading wholesale marketplace in North America connecting retailers and interior designers with top manufacturers in lighting, home décor, furniture, gifts, and fashion. Inside its dynamic, five million square foot campus near downtown Dallas, nearly 200,000 customers from all 50 states and 85 countries seek industry trends, business education and new products via open-daily showrooms and from exhibitors participating in trade events held throughout the year. The Dallas Market Center website is available at dallasmarketcenter.com.