HKTDC's Smart Lighting Expo & Hong Kong Int'l Lighting Fair Spring Edition Open: 900 Exhibitors Debut Light Lab Trends

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the 3rd Smart Lighting Expo and the 17th Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition) open today and will run for four consecutive days from 20 to 23 April at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) in Wan Chai. Under the theme “Go Smart, Live Green”, the twin lighting fairs introduce a number of new zones this year, including the debut of “Light Lab”, which focuses on lighting solutions that combine innovation and sustainability, unveiling the latest lighting trends for 2026.

The 3rd Smart Lighting Expo and the 17th Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition) are being held from today for four consecutive days, from 20 to 23 April.

Jenny Koo, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: “This year’s twin lighting fairs bring together some 900 exhibitors, including new exhibitors from the Netherlands and Vietnam. A number of industry leaders are participating, including Absen, whose LED displays were in use at the World Cup and World Expos, and has been ranked first nationally in LED display exports for 16 consecutive years, and Shanghai Sansi, which supplies over 60% of the screens in Times Square, New York. Overall, our exhibitor lineup is strong. As one of the key events of Business of Innovation and Technology Week (BIT Week), the Smart Lighting Expo focuses on cutting edge lighting technologies and applications. This year, the newly launched Smart Commercial Display & Stage Audio-Visual Zone features lighting products and equipment related to cultural tourism and performing arts. As top-tier trade events for lighting products and technologies, the twin lighting fairs not only help promote Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology hub but also support the development of the megaevent economy by fostering cross industry exchange and collaboration.”

The newly introduced “Light Lab” in Hall 3 features three scenario-based designs that present a range of lighting products in an immersive manner, allowing visitors to experience the characteristics of lighting fixtures in different settings. The Lumin Garden showcases garden lighting, smart lamp posts and solar luminaires. Zhongshan Faner Lighting (Booth: 1C-B02) presents its solar ground stake lights.

According to Statista, the global smart lighting market is expected to reach US$44 billion by 2030. An analysis released by the International Energy Agency in March said that a second wave of LED transformation is imminent. In regions including Africa, Latin America and the Asia Pacific (excluding India and Chinese Mainland), LED penetration remains relatively low. In the residential sector alone, around 30% of lighting fixtures worldwide have yet to be upgraded, creating opportunities for high efficiency LED technologies. At the same time, early generation LED products, which account for nearly 15% of global residential lighting fixtures and have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years, are gradually reaching the end of their service life, creating opportunities for high efficiency and more intelligent lighting systems.

The Lumin Arena showcases professional grade lighting performance with stadium lights and high bay lights. Foshan Electrical and Lighting (Booth: 3E-D19), which provides lighting for the China National Youth Football Training Centre, presents its F Series stadium lights, manufactured using full aluminium forging technology.

Against the backdrop of surging demand for high efficiency and intelligent lighting, this year’s fairs curate multiple highlights that bring advanced lighting technologies into real world application scenarios. The newly introduced “Light Lab” in Hall 3 features three scenario-based designs that present a range of products in an immersive manner, allowing visitors to experience their characteristics in different settings. The Lumin Garden displays garden lighting, smart lamp posts and solar luminaires. Shanghai Sansi LED Lighting presents plant lighting fixtures that use proprietary independent ceramic technology, delivering heat dissipation efficiency superior to metal structures. Combined with precise spectral control and professional optical systems, the solution meets the needs of plants at different growth stages.

The Lumin Gallery focuses on high end museum lighting, displaying modular track lights and spotlights that highlight the integration of precise light control and aesthetics. Shanghai Sansi (Booth: 1C-F23) demonstrates the hill spotlight series, which create soft edged light with natural transitions, seamlessly integrating into museum aesthetics.

The newly launched Smart Commercial Display & Stage Audio-Visual Zone features lighting products and equipment related to cultural tourism and performing arts.

The Lumin Arena showcases professional grade lighting performance with stadium lights and high bay lights. Foshan Electrical and Lighting, which provides lighting for the China National Youth Football Training Centre, presents its new overseas sports lighting product, the F Series stadium lights, manufactured using full aluminium forging technology. Under the same illuminance level, the lights are 20% to 45% lighter than traditional fixtures and use high thermal conductivity 1060 pure aluminium, effectively reducing LED chip operating temperatures. With a lifespan of up to 100,000 hours, maintenance requirements are significantly reduced. The Lumin Gallery focuses on high-end museum lighting, displaying modular track lights and spotlights that highlight the integration of precise light control and aesthetics. Guangdong ThinkGis presents ultralow glare spotlights that emphasise glare control, reducing eye stimulation through specialised optical design and enhancing operational comfort and safety.

The twin lighting fairs receive strong support from Zhongshan City, which partners as a special collaborative city this year, bringing the Zhongshan Guzhen Pavilion and Zhongshan Henglan Pavilion to showcase competitive lighting manufacturing capabilities and innovative solutions.

As for the group pavilion, the twin lighting fairs receive strong support from Zhongshan City, as a Special Partner City this year, bringing the Zhongshan Guzhen Pavilion and Zhongshan Henglan Pavilion to form the Zhongshan Smart Home Zone, showcasing competitive lighting manufacturing capabilities and innovative solutions. The Shanghai Pudong Intelligent Lighting Association participates in the Smart Lighting Expo for the third consecutive year, setting up the Smart Ecosystem and IoT Supply Chain Area, together with brands including BWEETECH, AIDimming, Darkoo and TYF, presenting the latest developments in smart lighting and IoT solutions. In addition, pavilion from Shenzhen also participate, while the Spring Lighting Fair brings together pavilion from Xiamen, as well as new pavilions from Changzhou Zouqu and Zhejiang, further expanding industry exchange.

Four major lighting trends move forward in parallel, showing new directions in smart, low carbon, immersive and human centric lighting

As artificial intelligence technologies continue to mature, lighting products are no longer limited to basic illumination functions. Instead, they integrate design, aesthetics, health, personalised experiences and sustainability, and even become an important part of urban and social infrastructure. Exhibitors at the Smart Lighting Expo and Spring Lighting Fair fully demonstrate the four major lighting trends currently taking shape in the market.

• Smart lighting: enhancing flexibility and scenario experience through technology Many exhibitors focus on intelligent control and scenario-based applications to enhance the flexibility and user experience of lighting systems. BWEETECH (Booth: 1B-E18) showcases its Bwee Smart Control Knob, which has won the MUSE Design Award and iF Design Award. The product supports the Zigbee protocol and integration with platforms such as Apple Home, offering stepless dimming from 1% to 100% and millisecond level response, enabling easy whole home smart control. KC Lighting (Booth: 1E-A02) presents its M7 Micro 48V Track System, which supports Casambi and DALI smart control. With its ultra slim and flexible design, the system meets the needs of precise lighting layout and scenario management in residential and high-end commercial spaces. In addition, Xiamen PVTECH (Booth: 1E-B02) introduces its off grid intelligent lighting control panel, featuring multiple preset office and meeting room scenarios and one touch human-centric lighting (HCL) switching, demonstrating the practical application potential of smart lighting in workplace environments.

• Green lighting: driving low carbon transformation and sustainable development Many products on display cleave to the trend of green lighting, which helps the industry advance low carbon transformation. Absen (Booth: 1BB01) showcases its A25 Series low carbon energy saving LED display, which consumes less than one kilowatt hour of electricity per square metre per day and delivers over 50% energy savings compared to traditional solutions. Guangdong Zhongqian New Energy (Booth: 1B-E02) presents solar street lights powered by renewable energy, equipped with sleep mode and long lasting battery life, suitable for smart city and public lighting applications. Meanwhile, Ningbo Yadu Lighting (Booth: 1D-E18) introduces solar garden lights that combine solar power with USBC charging, providing long duration illumination for residential and outdoor environments.

• Entertainment lighting: creating immersive light and shadow and interactive experiences A wide range of lighting products emphasise interactive lighting effects and immersive experiences, injecting new elements into performances, gaming and cultural settings. Zhongyuan Innovation (Booth: 1B-D11) presents its Ambit 3 + Spot GREENTEK dynamic backlight, supporting 16 million colours and synchronised audiovisual lighting effects, designed specifically for gaming and entertainment environments. Zhongshan Walton Lighting (Booth: 1BC05) showcases its Gobo Projection Light that supports DMX512 control and multiple dynamic animation effects, widely used in stages, events and tourist attractions. Ledmy (Booth: 3E-B02) introduces its 360-degree neon lighting series, featuring uniform omnidirectional illumination and high design flexibility, commonly applied in stadiums, cultural projects and landmark developments.

• Human centric lighting: enhancing visual comfort and quality of life The fairs also feature products that leverage visual comfort for physical and mental wellbeing. Shenzhen Norming Lighting (Booth: 1E-C24) presents dim-to-warm track lights with colour temperature that changes naturally with brightness, high colour rendering and flicker free design, enhancing comfort in dining and living spaces. In addition, Mascuge (Booth: 3E-A03) introduces an aroma diffuser humidifying lamp that integrates soft lighting with aromatherapy and humidification, creating a relaxing lighting environment for homes and leisure spaces.

In addition to exhibition displays, the twin lighting fairs host a series of information rich key events. A highlight of the Spring Lighting Fair, the Asian Lighting Forum, will be held on 20–21 April, inviting lighting design experts from across Asia to share the latest trends in landscape, outdoor and immersive entertainment lighting.

Two Major Forums Examine Market Hot Topics

In addition to exhibition displays, the twin lighting fairs host a series of events to foster industry exchange. A highlight of the Spring Lighting Fair, the Asian Lighting Forum, will be held on 20–21 April, under the themes “Luminous Spectacle: Immersive Entertainment Lighting Experience” and “LightScape Aesthetics: LuminArt in Landscape and Public Space Design”. Award-winning lighting designers, including concert lighting expert from ANH Design Company (Taiwan) and the Bund’s landscape lighting designer from Tungsten (Shanghai), will share the latest trends in immersive entertainment lighting and outdoor lighting.

Meanwhile, the Smart Lighting Solution Forum at the Smart Lighting Expo will be held on 21 April under the theme “Illuminating Smart Living: Infinite Possibility of Light”. Industry experts will discuss smart home lighting, human-centric entertainment lighting, and the development of the lighting supply chain ecosystem, helping the industry grasp future application directions.

Exhibitor Opple Lighting, as the official partner of the buyers’ VIP lounge at the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition), is showcasing its SDL smart spectral lighting technology, and will also participate in on-site product promotions and launch events.

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse successfully concluded at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The premier annual e-commerce and brand marketing events drew a vibrant crowd of more than 1,700 industry professionals from 22 countries and regions, who gathered in Hong Kong to navigate the ever-evolving marketing landscape and redefine the blueprint for business growth.

HKTDC Executive Director Sophia Chong delivered the welcome remarks. She said the theme for this year’s events, "Generate New Growth", challenged us to seize these opportunities by exploring how fresh ideas, new technologies and bold strategies can power the next wave of momentum.

Welcoming delegates to the conferences, Sophia Chong, Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: "Rapid advances in digital technologies are allowing e-commerce to reshape the market landscape, transforming how businesses reach consumers, transact and scale. From AI-driven personalisation to social commerce, the pace of change is unprecedented, and with this change comes significant opportunity. The theme for this year’s events, "Generate New Growth", challenges us to seize these opportunities by exploring how fresh ideas, new technologies and bold strategies can power the next wave of momentum."

MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse attracted more than 1,700 industry professionals from 22 countries and regions.

This year’s MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse staged 30 thematic sessions, with a comprehensive agenda exploring topics including "Growth leaders", "E-commerce new horizons", "Cutting edge marketing dynamics/new market potential", " Social media best practices", the "Meet the celebrity dialogue series”, and "PR disasters and opportunities", complemented by a series of digital marketing and e-commerce workshops. More than 85 esteemed e-commerce pioneers, brand leaders, marketing experts and innovative entrepreneurs from around the globe were invited to dissect the latest e-commerce innovations, global marketing trends and consumer opportunities, exploring how to cultivate new growth in a rapidly shifting marketing ecosystem.

When discussing the development and outlook for e-commerce, multiple industry experts at the conferences highlighted the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) applications and its latest trends. Terry Li, Vertical General Manager of Smart Retail, Tencent, noted that “AI is redefining digital commerce, and integrating AI into enterprise architecture properly is key to success. It will not destroy creativity; instead, it can inspire creativity and enable personalised customer experiences.” Bruce Pan, Cross-border Industry Operations Manager of TikTok Shop US, added that the real competitive edge will lie not in generating more content faster, but in combining creative direction, understanding the competitive edges of products and emotional storytelling.

Today's consumers have an insatiable appetite for convenience and personalisation, compelling brands to accelerate the transformation of their e-marketing strategies. Precision data and AI are fundamentally rewiring consumer experiences. Patrick Zhang, Senior BD Manager of Amazon Global Selling, pointed out that the next phase of globalisation will be defined by how quickly and accurately brands can understand local consumer needs and translate data insights into high-quality growth. Yatong Qiu, Vice President of Taobao & Tmall Group, Alibaba, highlighted how brands and merchants can deploy agile merchandising strategies, real-time digital marketing and speed-oriented approaches to upgrade supply chains and streamline order fulfilment, catering to the modern consumer's desire for "everything, instantly". And the "Decoding the Gateway to ASEAN: Cross Border Growth and Market Entry Strategies" session explored tactics for entering the ASEAN market. Speakers including Luca Barni, SVP, Commercial at Lazada Group, shared battle-tested experiences, providing a practical compass for enterprises eyeing ASEAN e-tailing expansion.

Pauline Brown (right), former Chairman of LVMH North America and author of Aesthetic Intelligence, illustrated how sensory management and design thinking can elevate brand value and the customer experience.

As the consumer market pivots towards experience-driven models, "taste" and "perception" have become the ultimate battlegrounds for brand competitiveness. Brands are no longer merely delivering product value; they are curating a lifestyle. The "Growth leaders" series at MarketingPulse was inaugurated by Pauline Brown, former Chairman of LVMH North America, who delivered a presentation address on “Aesthetic Intelligence”, illustrating how sensory management and design thinking can elevate brand value and customer experience. “Economic inequality, environmental threats, and the rise of AI make the pursuit of aesthetic intelligence more important than ever,” Ms Brown said. “While AI enhances efficiency, consumers care about brands creating authentic sensory pleasure. Only people can truly convey a clear, well-articulated vision that resonates with customers.”

Haijun Wang, Founder, Chief Executive Officer & Chief Experience Officer of Atour Lifestyle Holdings, shared how to seamlessly weave cultural aesthetics into the management of hotel and lifestyle brands.

Haijun Wang, Founder, Chief Executive Officer & Chief Experience Officer of Atour Lifestyle Holdings, shared his philosophy on weaving lifestyle experiences into hotel and lifestyle brand management. By extending the "accommodation experience" into new retail, he demonstrated how to forge brand identity through lifestyle sensibilities and customer resonance. Mr Wang believes that when both service and space strike an emotional chord, the resulting customer loyalty offers an enduring competitive edge. "In the experience economy, emotional value and authentic customer advocacy are becoming more important, making experience not only a point of differentiation, but also a source of sustainable brand growth and long-term development potential,” he said.

JinHee Lee, Chief Operating Officer of Olive Young, showcased how Korean beauty leverages agile operations and trend curation, using technology to build international competitiveness.

As younger generations emerge as the dominant consumer force, the dynamic between brands and youth demographics is being entirely redefined. JinHee Lee, Chief Operating Officer of South Korea's Olive Young, shared the brand's triumphant journey from local flagship to a global powerhouse. He showcased how this Korean beauty titan leverages seamless omnichannel operations and data-driven marketing strategies, using technology as a compass to build international competitiveness. “In order for a beauty brand to go global, it’s essential to develop a marketing platform that combines digital promotion and offline data,” he explained. “By integrating physical stores with online apps, we have built a seamless omnichannel ecosystem that continuously adapts to our customers’ lifestyles and needs. providing real time updates on product stock and promotions.”

Krzysztof Andrzej Kowal, Global Retail Design Director at YSL Beauty, L'Oréal Luxe, highlighted how to craft an immersive and unforgettable shopping experience.

Crafting an immersive and unforgettable shopping experience to amplify marketing efficacy and fortify long-term brand influence has always been the golden rule for major international brands. Krzysztof Andrzej Kowal, Global Retail Design Director at YSL Beauty, L'Oréal Luxe, took the stage in the session "The Poetics of Branding: Weaving Story, Design, and Emotion into Iconic Narratives". He shared how to transform physical retail spaces into the ultimate storytelling canvas through the alchemy of "Design × Story × Emotion". He said that to build emotional connections with customers, “physical stores should transcend showcase roles to become temples of experience and content factories that generate authentic and multi-sensory moments. By blending current trends like Y2K and nostalgia, we build up our persona based on new trends while maintaining our brand culture. At the same time, we maintain a cohesive global identity while adapting to local cultures.”

John Deschner (right), Head of Brand at Maximum Effort, shared how to masterfully repackage negative reactions into creative and heartwarming brand stories.

In an era saturated with content and dictated by algorithms, brands and creators must rebuild emotional bridges through authenticity and the power of storytelling. This year's conferences approached the subject through the lenses of film, television, social media and content creation, exploring how culturally resonant content can captivate audiences and amplify brand value.

Actor and "Threads Admin" Ng Siu-hin joined forces with Kenie Kwok, Creative Strategy Lead at Meta, in the dialogue "Threads for Consumer and Audience Engagement", comprehensively decoding the "traffic matrix" for the platform. Continuing the creative thread, the "Meet the celebrity dialogue series” invited actor and singer-songwriter Louis Cheung to share his creative odyssey and breakthrough moments. Spanning music to on-screen performances, Louis underscored the importance of staying true to one's original aspirations and authentic expression, inspiring brands and creators to co-create content with genuine warmth. Meanwhile, content creator and MUSE TV founder Mayao shared his ingenious use of disruptive social media promotional tactics to market music and content, leaving an indelible mark on the public consciousness.

As AI permeates every aspect of the marketing and design sectors, creative thinking faces an unprecedented paradigm shift. Award-winning creative minds, including Stephen Rogers, Group Creative Director at Droga5 from Ireland, explored this dynamic in the session "Creativity & AI: Human vs Artificial Mind". The speakers revealed that human imagination and intelligent technology are engaged in a symbiotic dance rather than a zero-sum game, with industry pioneers sharing how to masterfully navigate the shifting boundaries between human intuition and AI.

Beyond the main forums and InnoTalks series, the events introduced a new feature, “e-Commerce Connect”, that brought together nearly 30 local and international exhibitors to showcase the latest one-stop e-commerce solutions. A series of digital marketing and e-tailing workshops was also held, at which industry experts imparted strategies for AI integration, cross-border market navigation, and brand influence elevation, arming participating brands with actionable intelligence. The organiser curated multiple networking events and arranged more than 170 one-on-one business matchmaking sessions for attendees and exhibitors. In addition, singer James Ng graced the event with a live performance during the conferences’ Happy Hour session.

MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse introduced a new feature, “e-Commerce Connect”, bringing together close to 30 local and international exhibitors to showcase the latest one-stop e-commerce solutions.

This year's MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse received robust support from numerous organisations and industry bodies, including the Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of Hong Kong (HK4As), the Hong Kong Internet & Ecommerce Association, the Hong Kong Federation of E-Commerce (HKFEC), the Hong Kong Live E-Commerce Association, the Hong Kong Public Relations Professionals’ Association, IAB Hong Kong and PRHK, providing attendees with invaluable market intelligence and unique perspectives.