30th anniversary edition of GILE hailed a success
(China) – The Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition (GILE) celebrated its 30th edition in style this June, with the participation of more than 200,000 visitors from across 151 countries and regions around the world.
Themed “Light for Life”, the 250,000sqm event ran alongside the Guangzhou Electrical Building Technology (GEBT) event, and once more looked to connect industry professionals while fostering innovation in the global lighting sector.
Reflecting on the event, Lucia Wong, General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK), said: “This year’s GILE introduced the concept of ‘Light-enhanced Living’, demonstrating how lighting technologies can transform fields such as cultural tourism, smart agriculture, intelligent health ecosystems, and home design. As we celebrate the show’s 30th anniversary, we are proud of its significant contribution to the development of the global lighting industry over the past three decades.
“The exhibition provided an exceptional platform to showcase these innovations and foster collaboration among industry players. The enthusiastic response from participants underscores GILE’s vital role in driving the adoption of new ideas and technologies, and we remain committed to supporting the growth and evolution of the lighting industry.”
GILE 2025 welcomed a diverse range of visitors from 151 countries, and various industries. The event featured several buyer matching sessions through its Power Match programme, providing tailored opportunities for professionals to connect with suppliers and explore targeted solutions. Through its lighting design forums, the fair also hosted more than 100 exclusive sessions, providing a platform for professionals to explore the latest advancements in lighting design and technology. Highlights included the “illuminnovation lab”, which showcased innovative lighting solutions for hotels, commercial spaces, residential environments, and wellness. For example, the Asia Lighting Art Forum explored cutting-edge trends in lighting design, while seminars on smart agriculture and bio-optics highlighted the role of lighting in sustainable food production. Elsewhere, a session titled ‘Chinese Designers Go Abroad: Blend in or Lead Out” examined how cultural integration and innovation contribute to global success. These sessions underscored GILE’s role as a vital hub for cross-disciplinary collaboration, inspiring innovation and influencing the future direction of the lighting industry.
The next edition of GILE will be held on 9-12 June 2026. The fair is part of Messe Frankfurt’s Light + Building Technology fairs, headed by the biennial Light + Building event; the next edition of which will be held on 8-13 March 2026 in Frankfurt, Germany.
