(USA) – Messe Frankfurt, alongside the IALD and IES, have announced the launch of Light + Intelligent Building North America – a new trade show and conference uniting architectural lighting, connected controls, software, and building systems integration.

Debuting on 15-18 March 2027 at the Las Vegas Convention Centre, the new show will take on the mantle of Lightfair, after Messe Frankfurt acquired a 33% stake in the event in 2024.

The revamped show is designed first and foremost for the lighting industry – lighting designers, architects, engineers, agents, and specifiers – and expands the conversation to the broader building-technology ecosystem, including system integrators, facility operators, IT/OT teams, owners/developers, and utilities seeking high-performance, secure, and low-carbon outcomes.

“North America is ready for a single destination where the lighting community and the building-automation ecosystem meet,” says Latoya Gooding, Senior Show Manager. “This launch delivers a product-to-product experience – seeing luminaires, controls, software, and services working together – so attendees can specify, integrate, and operate smarter, safer, lower-carbon buildings.”

For decades, Lightfair has helped to shape the North American lighting conversation. Building on this legacy, and the lessons of recent cycles, Light + Intelligent Building North Americas hopes to bring the best of Lightfair’s core assets into a new, purpose-built platform focused on systems integration, secure controls, commissioning, analytics, and real-world performance.

Rather than viewing the launch as a “rebrand”, Light + Intelligent Building North America is viewed as a “next-generation show” that carries forward what worked – design excellence, CEU-eligible education, specifier engagement, and a strong agent/distributor network – while expanding into interoperability, lighting and controls, and building-level outcomes.

Importantly, the same partners that co-owned LIghtfair will co-own this new event, ensuring continuity of standards, community, and stewardship for the lighting industry, while delivering a future-ready experience where luminaires, sensors, controls, software, and building systems perform together.

“This launch advances the IES mission to improve the lighted environment by bringing standards, research, and education together with live, systems-level demonstrations,” adds Colleen Harper, CEO and Executive Director, Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). “From controls narratives and code compliance to measurable outcomes in comfort, safety, and energy, attendees will find CEU-eligible content and practical tools they can apply on day one.”

Christopher Knowlton, CEO of the IALD, continues: “Great lighting design is at the heart of great architecture – and it is most powerful when it connects with every element of the building.

“Lighting design no longer exists in isolation – expanding the verticals served by this event not only mirrors the evolving state of the lighting industry but also reinforces the critical role that lighting professionals play at the heart of intelligent, health and integrated environments. This is an important step in positioning our field for greater impact, visibility, and collaboration across the built environment.”

Light + Intelligent Building North America is purposefully aligned with Messe Frankfurt’s global Light + Building portfolio, connecting the region’s specifiers, designers, engineers, agents, and integrators with an international community of manufacturers, startups, standards bodies, and thought leaders.

By tapping the depth and diversity of Light + Building Frankfurt, the North American launch delivers a familiar, world-class experience – tailored to regional codes, market dynamics, and project realities – so lighting and building-technology teams can move from concept to integrated performance with confidence.

“As part of Messe Frankfurt’s global Light + Building ecosystem, this North American launch is intentionally aligned with our worldwide standards of design excellence, innovation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration,” says Steffen Larbig, Brand Director, Director Brand Management, Light + Building. “Exhibitors and attendees will benefit from shared best practices, interoperable frameworks, and international pathways – while we bring fresh energy to the region with live integration labs, CEU-level education, and a curated marketplace built for specifiers and building-technology teams. It’s a launch that connects North America to a truly global platform, and accelerates what’s possible.”

Exhibitor sales for Light + Intelligent Building North America open in January 2026, while attendee registration will open in October 2026. More information on both exhibiting and visiting can be found on the event website.

www.lightintelligentbuildingna.com