I’m sitting in my hotel in Frankfurt getting ready to fly back NY after what feels like three days of being dragged through the mud. Okay, that’s not entirely true because we had many great meetings and saw some great companies.

However, it’s true, I don’t sell ad space or LDI booth space or anything of the kind. No, I’m just an editor. But when major lighting manufacturers abandon the market by declaring they’re not exhibiting at LDI, as some of you may have heard, well I have to say something on the matter.

Here’s the thing: I don’t really give a hoot who exhibits at LDI. I don’t make any money from it. If you don’t put out your wares there, then that’s one less booth I have to visit. BUT, in 24 hours, I’ve had other lighting companies say to me, “WHAT ARE THEY DOING TO OUR SHOW!??!!?” Trust me, I was up until 5am gathering responses during the post-show nightlife to the announcements that two major moving light companies with rumored fiscal troubles in the last couple of years are not doing LDI this year.

So, who’s going to suffer? Some feel like the absence of major exhibitors marks a betrayal of a legacy of 20 years of LDI and that is not fair to the entire industry. And okay, so maybe it’s a little personal, like it’s a slap in the face for all we’ve done in the 20 years the show has been in existence. So sue me. Interestingly, however, other exhibitors replied that it’s good for them because they won’t have as much competition on the show floor. Surely, those who back out of exhibiting won’t get the mileage of the marketing that comes with a major trade show from international press.

I’m not sure what to think of it all. In fact, I think all and everything at once. Like I said, I don’t even sell anything, and I was pretty pissed. David Johnson almost had to drag me kicking and screaming off the show floor.

Perhaps there’s more to this story that has more to be told. I anxiously invite responses to how you think these rumors might affect this industry. Drop me a line at msandberg@livedesignonline.com.

What do you get when you add up:

International industry players from 35 countries around the world;
Members of the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Bureau of Science And Technology,
A state-of-the-art manufacturing faciltiy–one of the largest in China;
Two new product launches;
Joyful lions dancing;
Lights, lights, and more lights!

The inauguration ceremony for PR Lighting’s new Hi-Tech Science Park.

While most of the industry Who’s Whos are at USITT this week here I am halfway across the globe from the Live Design offices visiting the new facilities of PR Lighting in the rapidly-growing city of Guangzhou, China. For those of you who don’t know, PR Lighting has been around for over 20 years and was one of the first lighting manufacturers to open up shop in China. They employ about 500 people and are distrubed in over 50 countries worldwide with OmniSistem as their exclusive US distributor.

About 500 people are here in southeast China to witness the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Home base for the event has been the nearby White Palace Hotel, with its own theatre (seen below) and an impressive array of lights both inside and out. Tomorrow is a big day for facilities tours and the chance to hear some of the driving forces behind this innovative company speak, so stay tuned for more Live Blogs from China.