• THINKLIGHT at Light + Intelligent Building Middle East will unite international and regional leaders to explore the latest trends and innovations in lighting design and technology
  • The upcoming edition of THINKLIGHT will focus on ‘Building Commonality through Culture, Creativity and Community’
  • Featuring the industry’s brightest minds, keynote speeches will be delivered by renowned experts from dpa Lighting Consultants, ACT Lighting Design and Licht Kunst Licht, among others

Dubai, UAE: THINKLIGHT returns to Light + Intelligent Building Middle East from 14-16 January, with a lineup of over 30 distinguished speakers from around the world. Held annually at Light + Intelligent Building Middle East, the conference provides a platform for regional and international lighting professionals to meet, exchange ideas and share best practices.

A must-attend event for designers, architects, lighting consultants, engineers, and project managers in the lighting industry, THINKLIGHT explores the transformative power of light, elevating the art and science of lighting design and technology.

The 2025 edition of THINKLIGHT will focus on the theme ‘Building Commonality through Culture, Creativity and Community’ and will explore how these aspects can be harnessed to drive innovation in the region’s lighting and design sectors.

“In a rapidly changing world, there is a growing need to foster connections that go beyond specific disciplines. This year, THINKLIGHT will explore the power of creativity, the strength of community, the richness of culture and forging commonality in lighting design,” said Abdul Muhsin, Show Director for Light + Intelligent Building Middle East.

He added: “Through engaging keynote speeches, panel discussions and open dialogue, THINKLIGHT aims to inspire, educate and connect attendees of the conference to help move the region’s lighting industry forward.”

On 14 January, THINKLIGHT will open with a keynote address from Lee Sweetman and Nikos Moskofidis, Partners at dpa Lighting Consultants, on ‘The Evolution of Lighting Design in the Middle East: 25 Years of Shaping the Region’s Lighting Design Practice.’ Following this, a panel discussion moderated by Martin Lupton, Co-founder of Light Collective UK, will explore ‘KSA as a Global Epicentre of Innovative Lighting’.

The discussion will highlight several of Saudi Arabia’s mega projects, including Neom and the Red Sea project, and will look at the creative opportunities and groundbreaking solutions that the lighting industry can offer these iconic developments.   

Later on day one, a panel discussion will explore the various aspects of ‘Immersive Design Approaches and Light Art as a Community Builder.’ Moderated by Andrea Hartranft, Principal of Hartranft Lighting Design, this session will discuss how communities can connect, communicate and celebrate their unique cultural narratives in innovative and engaging ways, through the power of light and immersive experiences.

Koert Vermeulan, Founders & Principal Designer, ACT Lighting Design will conduct the opening keynote speech on the second day of the THINKLIGHT Conference. This will lead on to an insightful panel discussion on ‘Light as a Medium to Create Cohesive Cities’.

This session discovers how light not only beautifies urban spaces but also bridges gaps between different communities, encouraging interaction, cultural exchange, and a collective sense of belonging.

On the final day of THINKLIGHT, a keynote from Konstantin Klaas, Director, Licht Kunst Licht Berlin will precede a panel discussion on ‘Illuminating Iconic Buildings’.

The GCC is renowned worldwide for its iconic buildings, including the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi and the Kingdom Centre in Riyadh. Well-designed lighting enhances the visual appeal of these structures, highlighting their unique architectural features and historical significance. This insightful session discusses how iconic buildings become not just physical structures, but symbols of a community’s culture, values and aspirations and explores the role that lighting design plays in this.

Now in its 18th edition, Light + Intelligent Building Middle East is co-located with Intersec to create the MENA region’s largest trade fair for the building services sector. The 2025 edition will showcase over 450 exhibitors, with fascinating insights shared by more than 100 speakers and an expected attendance of over 15,000 visitors.

About Light + Intelligent Building Middle East

Light + Intelligent Building Middle East brings together world-renowned brands, regional players, and promising innovators for an exciting three-day showcase from 14-16 January 2025 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). Featuring products within lighting, electrical engineering, home, and building automation, the exhibition has played a vital role in the growth and development of the industry since its launch in 2006, with a solid representation of global products and brands, several educational conferences, certified workshops, and leading awards programme to recognize the very best the industry has to offer.

For more information, please visit our website.

About Messe Frankfurt

The Messe Frankfurt Group is the world’s largest trade fair, congress and event organiser with its own exhibition grounds. With a workforce of some 2,300 people at its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and in 28 subsidiaries, it organises events around the world. Group sales in financial year 2023 were more than € 609 million. We serve our customers’ business interests efficiently within the framework of our Fairs & Events, Locations and Services business fields. One of Messe Frankfurt’s key strengths is its powerful and closely knit global sales network, which covers around 180 countries in all regions of the world. Our comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events. We are using our digital expertise to develop new business models. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services.

Sustainability is a central pillar of our corporate strategy. Here, we strike a healthy balance between ecological and economic interests, social responsibility and diversity.

For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com/sustainability

With its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, the company is owned by the City of Frankfurt (60 percent) and the State of Hesse (40 percent).

Further information: www.messefrankfurt.com

About Messe Frankfurt Middle East

Messe Frankfurt Middle East’s portfolio of exhibitions includes: Light + Intelligent Building Middle East, Intersec, Intersec Saudi Arabia, Automechanika Dubai, Automechanika Riyadh, Beautyworld Middle East, Beautyworld Saudi Arabia, Gifts & Lifestyle Middle East, Logimotion and Paperworld Middle East. In the 2023/24 event season, Messe Frankfurt Middle East exhibitions combined featured 6,324 exhibitors from over 60 countries and attracted 224,106 visitors from 156 countries.

For more information, please visit our website.

Catherine Alltoft
catherine.alltoft@shamalcomms.com

Kate McGinley
kate.mcginley@uae.messefrankfurt.com
www.messefrankfurtme.com
light-middle-east.ae.messefrankfurt.com