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 from Asian markets including Malaysia and the Philippines; European markets such as France, Germany, the Netherlands, Russia and Türkiye; and North and South American markets including Brazil, Canada and the US. This highlights Hong Kong’s role as a key global hub for lighting products and technology exchange.
Jenny Koo, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: "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."
To keep abreast of the latest industry developments, the HKTDC conducted an on-site survey, interviewing 450 exhibitors and buyers. The findings show overall confidence in future business development has increased. Notably, 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 consider India (73.4%), Australia (71%), ASEAN countries (70.4%), and Japan (68.1%) as 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 over the next two years. Compared with conventional lighting products, consumers are willing to pay an average premium of 29% for lighting products equipped with smart functions.
New zones enhanced sourcing effectiveness. The newly launched "Light Lab" featured scenario-based designs integrating lighting products into landscape, sports, and cultural settings. Shanghai Sansi Electronic Engineering showcased plant clamp lights and compact downlights suitable for museum applications. Guoli Zhu, Deputy Chief Engineer, said: "The Light Lab has effectively enhanced the presentation of our products, enabling buyers to more intuitively and swiftly grasp product features. This has successfully attracted buyers from Argentina, Canada, Germany, India, Japan and the US. We expect orders worth over US$1 million."
The Smart Lighting Expo also debuted the "Smart Display and Stage Lighting & Sound Zone." Industry leader Absen participated for the first time. Benjamin Tang, Senior Sales Engineer, said: "The new zone has effectively enhanced product visibility, attracting buyers from Eastern Europe, Oceania, North America, South America, and South Asia. We have successfully engaged in several promising collaboration discussions with potential clients from the Dominican Republic, Hong Kong and Thailand. We estimate orders from the expo will amount to US$930,000. Riding on this momentum, we have decided to join the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) this year."
The newly launched "Leisure Lighting Zone" injected new momentum. Rebecca Seo, CFO of NIZ, a first-time exhibitor from Korea, said: "We have successfully connected with buyers from Denmark, Germany, Japan, and the US, and a well-known Japanese homeware retailer has already placed an on-site order. Thanks to the strong traffic generated by the new zone, we expect the fair to bring up to US$70 million in orders 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 two lighting fairs provide Zhongshan enterprises with an efficient ‘go-global’ gateway, enabling us to connect directly with buyers from Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Southeast Asia. We expect to achieve US$2 million in sales."
During the fair, the HKTDC organized a buying mission to Zhongshan for the first time, visiting several lighting factories and participating in business matching meetings. This initiative deepened exchange and cooperation within the Zhongshan lighting supply chain. New Zealand buyer Spark100 Ltd established a connection with a Zhongshan lighting supplier, with a potential order value estimated between US$100,000 and US$300,000.
This year’s exhibition also attracted buyers from the Middle East. Patrick Zhang, VP of sales of Tecnon Lighting Technology, stated: "A buyer from the United Arab Emirates and a US buyer from a leading women’s fashion brand are likely to become our cooperation partners. We expect to generate US$2 million in sales turnover."
As construction projects in the ASEAN region accelerate, market demand for smart lighting solutions continues to expand. Sambath HK, Manager of RS Decoration from Cambodia, stated: "I travelled here specifically to source lighting products for 14 new commercial building and luxury residential projects. I have already met with over 20 new suppliers and identified two potential partners. I will initially purchase US$100,000 worth of smart street lights."
Driven by the Belt and Road Initiative, urban development in participating countries is fuelling demand for high-efficiency and smart lighting products. Aigerim Beisekina, Supply Manager of Karelz.kz from Kazakhstan, said: "Through the Click2Match business matching platform, we have identified three potential suppliers from the Chinese Mainland and plan to purchase lighting equipment valued between US$600,000 and US$900,000."
Under the hybrid EXHIBITION+ model, the twin lighting fairs combined in-person sourcing with online meetings via the HKTDC’s Click2Match smart business-matching platform and hktdc.com sourcing platform. Click2Match will be available until 30 April to facilitate discussions between exhibitors and buyers around the world.
