The largest residential lig
hting show in North America, Lightovation typically brings the entire lighting industry together twice a year in Dallas each January and June. Exhibitors’ showrooms provide the primary showcase for launching new lighting designs and technologies, as well as ceiling fans.
With the announcement of the cancellation of the June 2020 edition of Lightovation due to COVID-19, the ability to experience these spaces virtually takes on added interest for buyers. From high-quality video tours to interactive digital displays, a “trip” to the Trade Mart may just be a few clicks away.
Eurofase produced a showroom tour video at the January 2020 edition of Lightovation highlighting many of its latest introductions. The company’s website also provides product videos showing the details of almost every collection within the image views of each product.
For an even more immersive opportunity, several exhibitors have shot their showrooms with 3D cameras, enabling the user to guide themselves through the space, viewing the products and features within. This concept is similar to Google Street View and use platforms like GSO360 and Matterport to bring static images to life.
Among the brands with virtual tours powered by Matterport are Access Lighting, Alora, Avenue Lighting, Kalco and Kuzco Lighting. Among those with tours powered by GSO360 are Craftmade, Legrand and Matthews Fan Company.
The American Lighting Association shoots lighting trend videos at Lightovation with Lighting magazine publisher Meredith that provide a glimpse into manufacturers’ showrooms and highlight product introductions. Brands featured in ALA’s most recent series of these videos from June 2019 include Kichler, Progress Lighting and Quoizel.
Finally, Dallas Market Center also shot its own virtual reality tour of Lightovation. In this format, users can move the view around with their cursor when viewing on a desktop. And when viewed on a mobile device with the YouTube app, the view moves around as the user moves the device. A longer version of the tour is also available, featuring interviews with DMC President and CEO Cindy Morris and ALA President and CEO Eric Jacobson.