Dear Friends in the Lighting Business:

I’m just returning from The 2010 Dallas Lighting Market. This year’s market was viewed with some trepidation by lighting showroom owners and lighting manufacturers alike. With the housing recession still in full swing, manufacturers are looking for signs that the worst is over and that showrooms are ready to buy. The lighting showrooms are looking for the newest designs in chandeliers, table and floor lamps, outdoor lighting, LED, and ceiling fans, as well as creative home accents like pictures and mirrors, bath bars, wall art, accent furniture, clocks, rugs – even outdoor furniture. Initial reports are that both parties found plenty to cheer about.  Manufacturers reported showrooms spending – not just shopping. And showrooms were excited about new offering and creative approaches to traditional product categories.

Here’s what came across my radar screen at the
2010 Dallas Lighting Market

Ceiling Fans – More styles, better designs, lots of innovation. The fan I was most impressed with was the Concert Breeze from Hunter. The light kit of the fan has a wireless speaker in the light kit. Minka Aire wowed the crowd with a fan that looked like a propeller off an airplane – with the ends cut off. Its sculptural shape made a contemporary design statement. Craftmade Fans has added an outdoor furniture line to their growing mix of product. Showroom owners were happy with the price points and liked the ability to add volume to their orders to help eliminate freight charges.

There was more LED on display than ever before – but the price has yet to come down. Showrooms are not content with lumen output and the consistency of the color rendering. Most agree that LED is the future of lighting. But more progress must be made before it is sold as a general replacement for the good ole incandescent bulb. Manufacturers of note were Seagull’s Juice Works LED ceiling mounted fixtures, CSL’s LED Pendants, and WAC Lighting’s general emphasis on energy efficiency throughout their organization. Look for a new track video via the Electric Smarts program to be in place by the end of January.

The ever popular Uttermost Showroom was bustling throughout the show. The ARTS Award Nominee is the market leader in home accents, wall art, pictures and mirrors and showed no signs of relinquishing their mantle. As an ad agency, we love Uttermost because they are the only source for co-op funds in this critical category.

Lutron has created a mini DVD highlighting new lighting controls from Dallas. This is a great way to add pre-packaged content to your web site.

American Lighting Association News
Hot off the press from the Publicity Committee meeting that took place on Friday, January 15. ALA will be providing their popular “Bright Ideas” email content 12x per year. This is a great service for lighting showrooms who need content for their e-blast list. Call Clark Communications Group for help customizing the e-blast to your needs.  ALA was out on the market floor with the video crew on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, creating new product introduction videos with various manufacturers. These videos are another great source for web site content. There was also talk of launching a Lighting Makeover Contest again in 2010 – this time in conjunction with Better Homes and Gardens. I’ll keep you up-to-date with details as they become available.

Retail Marketing Seminar
Residential Lighting Magazine has asked me to put on a retail marketing seminar at the World Market Center in Las Vegas - Wednesday, February 3rd. If you are at the show, stop by and say “Hi!”  I’ll be talking about what works in the new economy, providing tips on how to maximize the internet in your sales programs.

In the next eblast,  I’ll be showing samples of a special promotion designed specifically for Las Vegas attendees.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Dave Clark
Clark Communications Group
800-886-2522
cell: 802-369-6687
"The Brightest Ads in the Lighting Business"