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. Buyer numbers grew across key markets, including Malaysia, the Philippines, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Russia, Türkiye, Brazil, Canada, and the United States, underscoring Hong Kong's role as a global hub for lighting products and technology exchange.
Jenny Koo, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, highlighted the fairs' significance: "This year's two lighting fairs attracted industry-leading enterprises showcasing cutting-edge high-performance, smart lighting, and sustainable products. The events also drew quality buyers from global markets, helping companies diversify supply chains, explore new markets, and reinforcing Hong Kong's position as an 'International Exhibition Capital.'"
An on-site survey of 450 exhibitors and buyers revealed growing confidence in future business development. Nearly half (49.1%) of respondents expect overall sales to increase in the next 12 to 24 months, while 47.6% anticipate stable sales. The most promising target markets over the next two years include India (73.4%), Australia (71%), ASEAN countries (70.4%), and Japan (68.1%). 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 areas with the greatest growth potential. Consumers are willing to pay an average premium of 29% for lighting products equipped with smart functions, compared to conventional options.
The fairs introduced several new features to enhance sourcing effectiveness. The "Light Lab" showcased scenario-based immersive designs, integrating lighting into landscapes, sports, and cultural settings. Shanghai Sansi Electronic Engineering displayed plant clamp lights and compact downlights for museums. Deputy Chief Engineer Guoli Zhu noted that the Light Lab enabled buyers to intuitively grasp product features, attracting buyers from Argentina, Canada, Germany, India, Japan, and the US. The company expects 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. Senior Sales Engineer Benjamin Tang reported attracting buyers from Eastern Europe, Oceania, North America, South America, and South Asia, with inquiries from sectors such as cultural tourism and stage engineering. Absen estimates orders from the expo to reach US$930,000 and has decided to join the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) this year.
The newly launched "Leisure Lighting Zone" injected momentum into the Spring Lighting Fair. Rebecca Seo, CFO of first-time exhibitor NIZ from Korea, said the fair provided an excellent platform to connect with international buyers, including a well-known Japanese homeware retailer that placed an on-site order. NIZ expects the fair to generate 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, noted that the fairs provide Zhongshan enterprises with an efficient "go-global" gateway, enabling direct connections with buyers from Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Southeast Asia. Bairan expects US$2 million in sales.
The HKTDC organized a buying mission to Zhongshan for the first time, visiting lighting factories and holding business matching meetings. New Zealand buyer Spark100 Ltd established a connection with a Zhongshan lighting supplier, with a potential order value between US$100,000 and US$300,000.
Middle Eastern buyers also participated. Patrick Zhang, VP of sales of Tecnon Lighting Technology from the Shenzhen Pavilion, stated that a buyer from the United Arab Emirates and a US buyer from a leading women's fashion brand are likely to become partners, with expected sales turnover of US$2 million.
As construction projects accelerate in ASEAN, demand for smart lighting solutions expands. Sambath HK, Manager of RS Decoration from Cambodia, attended to source lighting for 14 new commercial and luxury residential projects. He met over 20 new suppliers and identified two potential partners for smart street lights, solar lights, and decorative lighting, with an initial purchase of US$100,000 in 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, attended for the first time to find reliable suppliers for a solar-powered stadium and sports lighting for three international schools. Through the Click2Match business matching platform, they identified three potential suppliers from the Chinese Mainland and plan to purchase lighting equipment valued between US$600,000 and US$900,000.
The fairs also hosted professional events, including the Asian Lighting Conference and the Smart Lighting Solutions Forum, where designers and industry representatives shared market trends, application cases, and technological developments.
Under the hybrid EXHIBITION+ model, the twin lighting fairs combined in-person sourcing with online meetings via the HKTDC's Click2Match platform and hktdc.com sourcing platform. Click2Match will be available until 30 April to facilitate further discussions between exhibitors and buyers worldwide.
