Messe Frankfurt acquires LiGHT Expo London


10th July 2026

(UK) – Messe Frankfurt has acquired LiGHT Expo London from [d]arc media to be run out of its London subsidiary, further strengthening its presence within the international lighting and building technology sector.

Launched in 2022, LiGHT has rapidly established itself as one of the UK’s leading events for the lighting specification community. Bringing together architects, interior designers, lighting designers, engineers, specifiers and leading international lighting brands, the exhibition has become a valued platform for product discovery, learning, collaboration and networking.

“The acquisition adds LiGHT to Messe Frankfurt’s globally recognised Light + Building portfolio and reinforces the organisation’s long-term commitment to supporting the lighting industry through world-class trade fairs and industry platforms. The portfolio includes established events in Frankfurt, Buenos Aires, Dubai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur, Las Vegas, Mumbai, New Delhi, Shanghai, and Tashkent.

Messe Frankfurt UK will build on the strong foundations created by [d]arc media, while preserving the event’s distinctive community-focused identity and commitment to the lighting specification market. [d]arc media will remain closely involved, continuing to support the event through promotional activity and the curation of its highly regarded content programme.

Messe Frankfurt UK CEO, Simon Albert says of the deal: “LiGHT has become one of the most important meeting places for the UK lighting and design community in a remarkably short space of time. We have long admired what the [d]arc media team has built and the passionate community that has grown around the event.

This acquisition represents an exciting opportunity to support LiGHT’s continued growth as part of Messe Frankfurt’s international lighting portfolio, while carefully preserving the qualities that have made it such a success. We are committed to investing in the event for the long term and ensuring it continues to deliver exceptional value for exhibitors, visitors and the wider lighting industry.”

Paul James, MD of [d]arc media echoes the same sentiments: “When considering the future of LiGHT, it was important for us to find a partner that not only had the scale and expertise to support the event’s growth, but also genuinely understood the lighting industry and the community we have built around it.

“Messe Frankfurt UK shares our commitment to the sector and brings significant experience in delivering high-quality international events. We are excited to support the next chapter of LiGHT’s journey and look forward to seeing the event continue to flourish.”

LiGHT is part of Messe Frankfurt’s Light + Building Technology fair portfolio headed by the biennial Light + Building event in Frankfurt, Germany. The next edition will be held from 5 to 10 March 2028. Messe Frankfurt organises several trade fairs for the light and building technology sectors in Asia, Argentina, China, the UAE and the USA.

Stay connected with LiGHT 26

LiGHT 26 is set to bring the lighting and design community together once again this November, with two days of product discovery, expert insight, inspiring content and valuable industry connections at the Business Design Centre in London.

Following the acquisition of LiGHT Expo London by Messe Frankfurt UK, the exhibition enters an exciting new chapter while continuing to build on the strong foundations established since its launch in 2022.

Now as part of Messe Frankfurt’s internationally recognised portfolio, LiGHT 26 will continue to provide a dedicated platform for architects, interior designers, lighting designers, engineers, consultants, specifiers and leading lighting brands to connect, collaborate and discover the latest innovations shaping the future of lighting.

Keep yourself in the know, opt in today to stay connected with everything happening at LiGHT 26 > https://www.lightexpo.london/newsletter-sign-up/

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For more information on Light + Building shows worldwide, please visit www.light-building.com/brand.

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