[dropcap]I[/dropcap]’ve said it before, but it bears repeating. There was a time when lighting showrooms and interior designers did not attend a tech-heavy trade show like Lightfair, but with each passing year I see more of these professionals on the show floor. The reason for this influx of “new blood” among attendees is simple: their clients are interested in the latest technology for their homes. While home builders haven’t yet gravitated to Lightfair, they are relying on the showrooms and designers they partner with to keep them up to date.
Those who are still hesitant to dip a toe in the technology waters because they fear whatever is out there now will quickly become obsolete are making a mistake. Yes, there will continue to be tweaks and advancements to lighting/smart systems currently on the market. However, if you do not acquaint yourself and your staff with the latest products available, your customers will seek out that education somewhere else. The electronics and communications companies (Amazon, Apple, Google, Samsung) are actively courting your clients with easy-to-use smart products – which includes lighting – in the places they already shop.
What’s important to note is that these lighting developments are being shown at trade shows different from the typical markets you may be familiar with, such as Atlanta, Dallas, High Point, and Las Vegas. We realize that trade show travel is expensive and time-
consuming, which is why we are committed to covering those events to bring you as much relevant information in this new frontier as possible. To that end, you may have noticed that we’ve added a technology column every month, written by industry veteran David Shiller. Look for expanded coverage of these important shows in upcoming issues. If you have a suggestion for a segment of the technology category that you would like to learn more about, send me your request at linda@bravobusinessmedia.com
