LIGHTFAIR Grades: B-

Maybe the best LIGHTFAIR ever, but…

Overall Grade  B-

Looking at attendance, products, technologies, union labor and venue—the things that really matter, it may have been the best LIGHTFAIR ever.  The show was so well attended that there were times on Tuesday that it was difficult to move through certain aisles as the show was jam-packed.   We suspect that LFI 2016 will break previous West Coast LFI records for attendance.  

Drilling down, there are areas that can be improved. 

Venue:  A+:  ‘Phenomenal’ is the word we most heard to describe San Diego. Attendees and exhibitors love the city, the restaurants and the hotels.  With the Hilton and Marriott so close, it was incredibly convenient for many people.  Because of the relatively small footprint of the gaslamp district, it was easy to run into people at night and the networking-over-alcohol opportunities were endless.  

Seminars:  A+  With 200 hours of accredited programs over a five-day period,  LIGHTFAIR’s Educational program is a massive undertaking and the best in the world.   LIGHTFAIR has become the go-to venue for all things related to lighting education.  There were seven forums dedicated just to IoT and Smart Lighting.

Exhibits:  A +  The booths were gorgeous.  Over the years, LFI exhibits have really improved in appearance and manufacturers have discovered great ways to demonstrate features and benefits without all of the glare bombs of the past.   The upper level, which sometimes has a odd mix of companies,  also had good exhibits and higher tech products than we have seen in the past.

Union:  A+  We heard of one complaint of an older electrician who was a bit slow.  Alternatively,  we must have heard 20 stories of how great the union labor was to work with.  Fast and fair were words that we heard several times. Hat’s off to Freeman.

Media Center:  A+   This is not important to exhibitors or attendees, but very important to media. It was centrally located and fully staffed with friendly and knowledgeable people.

Layout:  B    We did hear complaints about the long and narrow layout and there were some awkward breaks in the middle of aisles, creating opportunities to miss booths, as the natural paths were broken. There were many compliments for the frequent and comfortable lounges.   We give LIGHTFAIR credit for driving traffic to the upper level with things such as a free lunch and free T-shirts.  Below is a directional sign to send people upstairs.  Unfortunately, it is positioned in such a way as to send people into a wall.

LFI Upper Level.jpg

Registration for Philadelphia:  C-  One exhibitor explained in great detail that Wednesday afternoon’s booth sign up for 2017 was terrible.  Her appointment was at 3 p.m., and like everyone, she had been reminded to be early and arrived at 2:30 p.m.  It was 4 p.m. before she made her actual selection.  We heard similar stories, but only on Wednesday afternoon.

Access:  D+  As an exhibitor with a day job, I had an orange striped badge, allowing me early access.  On Tuesday at 7:05 a.m., the guard at Door B told me that exhibitors could only enter at 7:30 am.  Yet, at the same time, Door D was wide open and the guard greeted and welcomed all exhibitors with orange striped badges.

If the show opens at 9 a.m., most exhibitors will arrive at least a few minutes early. One CEO of a long time exhibitor  (30 x 30 booth) entered through door G at 8:55 a.m. because it was convenient to his booth.  As he entered, he was confronted by security and forced to exit door G and re-enter at door D.  His associate ignored the order and went directly to the booth as the guard chased him down.

Get out LFI.jpg

My booth was located near door G, close to a restroom, a benefit that is becoming increasingly important to a man my age, but we could only exit.  There was a guard posted to ensure no one walked in as people walked out.  What should have been a 40 step journey turned into 400 steps.   Instead of preventing people from going back to work, what if that guard was re-tasked to check badges and help expedite the process?

Door E had a ladies restroom and a Starbucks, but only unmarked exit doors.  As we move to human factors in lighting, how about human factors in traffic. We like to enter where we exit.    

Badge Pick up:  D  Why did registration have to be sooooo far from the main floor? The show opening was a disaster.  Exhibitors complained loud to me about starting the show early at 9 a.m. and absolutely no traffic until 10 a.m.  Pre-registered attendees complained louder as they waited in 45-minute lines just to scan a barcode and obtain a badge.   One attendee estimated the line at 300 yards.  We asked a person wearing a LFI badge, whom we did not know about this delay.  He responded, “Everyone decided to come at the same time.”

LFI Long Line.jpg

WiFi:  F  I am happy to pay surge pricing for Uber, but not for WiFi at convention centers. $79.99 per day is what popped up on my phone and that is taking advantage.  We have heard that some convention centers set this price and it may be out of LIGHTFAIR’s control, but we are in the business of lighting and we know everything is negotiable. LIGHTFAIR has HUGE leverage with these convention centers and they should fight for this.

LFI Wifi.jpg

Make no mistake, LIGHTFAIR is the preeminent show of North America and we commend LFI management for mixing things up and hosting a San Diego show.  With new venues, one expects a few inconveniences and the above issues are easily fixed with a little more manpower and greater attention to detail.  Overall, this was a GREAT LIGHTFAIR!