2025 ArchLIGHT Summit Announces Record Attendance and Sold-Out Show Floor
Last month ArchLIGHT Summit, the premier commercial and architectural lighting trade event at Dallas Market Center (DMC), celebrated its largest and most successful edition of the show — including an attendance increase of nearly 10% over last year. Combined with attendance for ArchLIGHT Summit and Design Week, the marketplace had a 40% increase in attendee traffic. The 2025 show also featured a sold-out exhibit floor and drew strong participation from architects, specifiers, lighting designers, agencies, and other trade professionals.
“ArchLIGHT Summit continues to break barriers and bring our industry together in fresh and exciting ways,” said Cindy Morris, President & CEO of DMC. “This year we saw unparalleled engagement, innovative programming, and a true celebration of design and technology that underscore Dallas as the leader in lighting.”
Positive Feedback From Attendees
When asked to share their experience at ArchLIGHT Summit, feedback highlighted the welcoming energy, educational sessions, and the networking opportunities.
“ArchLIGHT Summit has become a very designer-focused opportunity — a place where we can gather and learn, inspire and innovate together. Friends, colleagues, and mentors in this space always show up with incredible energy, insight, and humility,” said Remy Daniel, Design IALD, IIDA, Lighting Designer at Newcomb & Boyd, LLP.
Added Rachel Fitzgerald, CLD, LC, IALD, IES, LEED AP BD+C, senior principal, discipline lead/Lighting at Stantec, “The ArchLIGHT Summit has grown into an event that’s truly worth attending. It brings together top-tier manufacturers and encourages real conversations and hands-on engagement. The atmosphere is welcoming, making it easy to connect and learn and the conference sessions are equally impressive — featuring valuable content that both educates and inspires.”
Jered E. Widmer, IALD, MIES, Principal, Dallas Office of The Lighting Practice noted, “My design team had an enjoyable experience. They liked the mix of exhibitors, compact setups, and easily navigable show floor. They also really liked the ability to go into showrooms to explore manufacturers in depth – something unique to ArchLIGHT.”
Inspiring Education & Innovation
More than one dozen high-quality CEU sessions drew strong attendance and featured industry leaders such as Chip Israel and Steven Rosen and timely topics such as artificial intelligence and the impact on design practice.
On the show floor was the interactive Color Visualization display, developed in collaboration with University of North Texas interior design students and Material Bank, showcased how lighting (provided by Pure Edge Lighting) dramatically changes the perception of colors and materials across hospitality, residential, office, and healthcare applications.
Many students explored the show floor alongside industry professionals. When asked about the value of the event for students, Somang Yang Ph.D., assistant professor of Interior Design, University of Texas Arlington said, “ArchLIGHT Summit was a truly impressive event that provided both intellectual stimulation and inspiration. As a professor, I would strongly encourage my students to attend. It offers a valuable opportunity to explore the latest design trends and case studies while also serving as an excellent platform for networking and professional growth.”
Networking, Hospitality, and Community
ArchLIGHT Summit delivered many networking and social opportunities including the WILD (Women in Lighting + Design) Welcome Party, Casambi Opening Night Happy Hour, and Eurofase “Last Call Y’all” Closing Party which celebrated The Illuminating Engineering Society’s 10th anniversary of TM-30, recognition of UNT’s adoption of the AWARE light art installation from the 2023 Summit, and the first official event for the newly formed Texas chapter of the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD).
ArchLIGHT Summit 2026
The next ArchLIGHT Summit is September 15-16, 2026, running alongside Dallas Design Week and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) GATHER: Catalyst national conference to maximize cross-disciplinary engagement.
Exhibitor registration for 2026 is now open, with a $500 early bird discount per booth available through January. The show floor has sold out the past two shows, so early reservations are strongly encouraged.
The Call for Speakers opens in November, inviting thought leaders across design, technology, and sustainability to share their expertise at the 2026 ArchLIGHT Summit.
Recognition of 2025 ArchLIGHT Summit Partners
Sponsors of the 2025 ArchLIGHT Summit included Casambi, Sourcery, Light Stanza and Rosco. The event is also proud to partner with leading local agents such as ALA, Hossley Lighting & Power Solutions, SESCO, Preferred Lighting Group and Texas Lighting Solutions.
Association partners for ArchLIGHT Summit included: AIA Dallas, American Lighting Association, Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals (AOLP), International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), IALD Education Trust, IALD Texas, IES Dallas, IIDA TX OK Chapter, International Landscape Lighting Institute, Light Justice, Lighting Controls Association, National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors, National Electrical Manufacturers Representatives Association, National Lighting Bureau, North American Coalition of Lighting Industry Queers, SARA National, Texas Association of Architects (TxA) and Women in Lighting + Design (WILD).
ArchLIGHT Summit proudly recognizes the support of the Lighting Representative Agency Sponsors, ArchLIGHT Summit Lighting Rep Agency Sponsors: Architectural Lighting Alliance; Texas Lighting Solutions; Hossley Lighting and Power Solutions; Preferred Lighting Group; and SESCO.
For more information, visit www.ArchLIGHTSummit.com to sign up for show announcements, including when Attendee Registration. Follow ArchLIGHT Summit on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest developments.
For information on Dallas Market Center, visit www.dallasmarketcenter.com. In addition to hosting ArchLIGHT Summit, DMC also hosts the largest residential lighting show in North America. The summer edition of Lightovation, will take place January 10-13, 2026. Keep up-to-date on information about that event by following the Lightovation Facebook page and joining the Lightovation – Lighting Industry Discussion Group.
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