The 3rd Smart Lighting Expo and the 17th Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition), organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded successfully at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The four-day fairs brought together some 900 exhibitors and attracted approximately 13,000 buyers from 114 countries and regions for on-site visits and sourcing. Buyer numbers recorded growth across Asian markets such as Malaysia and the Philippines; European markets including France, Germany, the Netherlands, Russia and Türkiye; and North and South American markets, including Brazil, Canada and the US. This underscores Hong Kong’s role as a key global hub for lighting products and technology exchange.
Jenny Koo, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, stated: “This year’s two lighting fairs attracted industry-leading enterprises who showcased cutting-edge high-performance, smart lighting and sustainable products and solutions. The events also attracted quality buyers from global markets. This helps companies diversify supply chains, explore new markets, and underscores Hong Kong’s strength as an ‘International Exhibition Capital’ which boosts efficient business platforms.” The fairs are seen as the preferred platform for the industry to showcase innovation, connect with global buyer networks and accelerate business development.
An on-site survey conducted by the HKTDC interviewed 450 exhibitors and buyers, revealing increased overall confidence in future business development. Key findings show that 49.1% of respondents expect overall sales to increase in the next 12 to 24 months, while 47.6% expect sales to remain stable. Respondents identified India (73.4%), Australia (71%), ASEAN countries (70.4%), and Japan (68.1%) as promising or very promising target sales markets for lighting products over the next two years. In terms of new market development, exhibitors are actively exploring the Middle East (31.8%), Europe (29.5%), ASEAN countries (23.9%), Latin America (17.6%) and North America (14.8%). In the smart lighting segment, respondents identified home automation and intelligent lighting control systems (48.2%), energy saving lighting control solutions (38.2%), and outdoor smart security lighting systems (31.1%) as having the greatest growth potential. Consumers are willing to pay an average premium of 29% for lighting products equipped with smart functions.
The fairs introduced new zones to enhance sourcing effectiveness. The “Light Lab” featured scenario-based and immersive designs, integrating lighting products into landscape, sports, cultural and artistic settings. Shanghai Sansi Electronic Engineering showcased plant clamp lights and compact downlights for museums. Guoli Zhu, Deputy Chief Engineer, said the Light Lab effectively enhanced product presentation, attracting buyers from Argentina, Canada, Germany, India, Japan and the US, with expected orders worth over US$1 million. The Smart Lighting Expo debuted the “Smart Display and Stage Lighting & Sound Zone,” attracting first-time exhibitor Absen. Benjamin Tang, Senior Sales Engineer, noted that the new zone enhanced product visibility, attracting buyers from Eastern Europe, Oceania, North America, South America, and South Asia, with estimated order value of US$930,000. The “Leisure Lighting Zone” also injected new momentum, with Korean first-time exhibitor NIZ connecting with buyers from Denmark, Germany, Japan, and the US, including an on-site order from a Japanese homeware retailer. Rebecca Seo, CFO, expects the fair to bring up to US$70 million in orders for the company this year.
Supported by Zhongshan as the Special Partner City, the fairs featured the Zhongshan Guzhen Pavilion and Zhongshan Henglan Pavilion under the Zhongshan Smart Home Zone. Merry Liu, Manager of Bairan Lighting, said the fairs provide an efficient “go-global” gateway for Zhongshan enterprises, enabling direct connections with buyers from Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Southeast Asia, with expected US$2 million in sales. The HKTDC organized a buying mission to Zhongshan for the first time, visiting lighting factories and participating in business matching meetings. This facilitated collaborations such as New Zealand buyer Spark100 Ltd establishing a connection with a Zhongshan supplier, with potential orders between US$100,000 and US$300,000.
Middle Eastern buyers also attended. Patrick Zhang, VP of sales of Tecnon Lighting Technology from the Shenzhen Pavilion, stated that a buyer from the UAE and a US buyer from a leading fashion brand are likely to become cooperation partners, with expected US$2 million in sales. As construction projects in the ASEAN region accelerate, demand for smart lighting solutions expands. Sambath HK, Manager of RS Decoration from Cambodia, sourced lighting for 14 new commercial and luxury residential projects, identified two potential partners for smart street lights and solar lights, and will initially purchase US$100,000 worth of smart street lights. Driven by the Belt and Road Initiative, urban development in participating countries fuels demand for high-efficiency and smart lighting. Aigerim Beisekina, Supply Manager of Karelz.kz from Kazakhstan, visited the fairs to find suppliers for a solar-powered stadium and sports lighting for three international schools, identifying three potential suppliers from the Chinese Mainland, planning purchases between US$600,000 and US$900,000.
Multiple professional events were held, including the Asian Lighting Conference and the Smart Lighting Solutions Forum, providing forward-looking market insight. Under the hybrid EXHIBITION+ model, the fairs combined in-person sourcing with online meetings via the HKTDC’s Click2Match platform, available until 30 April. Photo download: https://bit.ly/42m6sqD. Websites: Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition): hklightingfairse.hktdc.com/tc; Smart Lighting Expo: smartlightingexpo.hktdc.com/tc.
