Hong Kong Lighting Fairs Draw 13,000 Buyers, Signal Industry Optimism
The Smart Lighting Expo and Hong Kong International Lighting Fair attracted 13,000 buyers from 114 countries, with survey findings showing 49.1% of respondents expect sales growth in the next 12-24 months, highlighting Hong Kong's role as a global hub for lighting technology and trade.
The 3rd Smart Lighting Expo and the 17th Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition) concluded successfully on April 24, 2026, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the four-day events brought together some 900 exhibitors and attracted approximately 13,000 buyers from 114 countries and regions. Buyer numbers grew 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 showcasing 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', boosting efficient business platforms."
An on-site survey of 450 exhibitors and buyers conducted by the HKTDC revealed strong optimism: 49.1% of respondents expect overall sales to increase in the next 12 to 24 months, while 47.6% expect stability. Respondents identified India (73.4%), Australia (71%), ASEAN countries (70.4%), and Japan (68.1%) as promising or very promising target markets for lighting products over the next two years. In smart lighting, home automation and intelligent lighting control systems (48.2%), energy-saving lighting control solutions (38.2%), and outdoor smart security lighting systems (31.1%) were seen as having the greatest growth potential. Consumers are willing to pay an average premium of 29% for smart lighting products compared to conventional ones.
New features at the fairs enhanced sourcing effectiveness. The "Light Lab" showcased immersive designs integrating lighting into landscape, sports, cultural, and artistic settings. Shanghai Sansi Electronic Engineering's Deputy Chief Engineer, Guoli Zhu, said the lab enabled buyers to intuitively grasp product features, attracting buyers from Argentina, Canada, Germany, India, Japan, and the US, with expected orders over US$1 million. The Smart Lighting Expo debuted the "Smart Display and Stage Lighting & Sound Zone." First-time participant Absen, represented by Senior Sales Engineer Benjamin Tang, reported attracting buyers from multiple regions and expects orders of US$930,000. The "Leisure Lighting Zone" also drew attention; Rebecca Seo, CFO of Korean first-time exhibitor NIZ, noted connections with buyers from Denmark, Germany, Japan, and the US, with a Japanese homeware retailer placing an on-site order. She anticipates up to US$70 million in orders this year.
The fairs featured Zhongshan as the Special Partner City, with pavilions from Guzhen and Henglan. Merry Liu, Manager of Bairan Lighting, said the events provided an efficient "go-global" gateway, enabling connections with buyers from Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Southeast Asia, expecting US$2 million in sales. The HKTDC also organized a buying mission to Zhongshan, facilitating collaborations; New Zealand buyer Spark100 Ltd established a connection with a Zhongshan supplier, with potential orders between US$100,000 and US$300,000.
Buyers from the Middle East and ASEAN also reported success. Patrick Zhang, VP of sales at Tecnon Lighting Technology, expects US$2 million in sales turnover after connecting with buyers from the UAE and a US fashion brand. Sambath HK, Manager of RS Decoration from Cambodia, sourced lighting for 14 new projects and identified two potential partners, planning an initial purchase of US$100,000 in smart street lights. Aigerim Beisekina, Supply Manager of Karelz.kz from Kazakhstan, identified three potential suppliers for stadium and school lighting projects, with planned purchases valued between US$600,000 and US$900,000.
The fairs also hosted the Asian Lighting Conference and Smart Lighting Solutions Forum. Under the hybrid EXHIBITION+ model, the HKTDC's Click2Match platform extends business matching until April 30. For more information, visit the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition) and Smart Lighting Expo websites.