GILE 2025 kicks off with ‘illuminnovation lab’ series lighting the way forward

This year’s exhibition spans 250,000 sqm across Zones A and B, with 3,188 exhibitors from around the world showcasing cutting-edge lighting technologies.

The Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition (GILE) kicked off on Monday at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou, marking its 30th anniversary. This year, GILE introduces the ‘illuminnovation lab’, a series of events aimed at fostering industry cooperation and driving technological breakthroughs. Breaking away from the traditional exhibition model, GILE extends beyond its main event from 9 – 12 June with year-round activities including focus group discussions, research forums, technical lectures and networking in key cities across China.

This year’s exhibition spans 250,000 sqm across Zones A and B, with 3,188 exhibitors from around the world showcasing cutting-edge lighting technologies. Held alongside Guangzhou Electrical Building Technology (GEBT), the event provides a comprehensive platform for sourcing products, exchanging knowledge, and understanding the latest market trends, cementing its status as a leading event for Asia’s lighting industry. After the main exhibition concludes, GILE will continue to host events nationwide, integrating innovative lighting solutions into real-world applications.

A key highlight of GILE 2025 is the launch of the “illuminnovation lab”, a ground-breaking initiative that extends beyond the main exhibition dates of 9 – 12 June. This initiative introduces a year-round programme of forums, focus groups, technical lectures and business matchmaking events in key cities across China. These activities aim to foster dialogue, stimulate innovation and accelerate the adoption of emerging lighting technologies. By creating a forward-looking and collaborative communication framework, GILE continues to drive the industry toward new heights of innovation and practical application.

‘Light Asia’ Annual Series

In collaboration with Alighting, GILE introduces the “Light Asia” series, including pre-show promotions, full exhibition programmes and post-show activities. The initiative aims to foster industry collaboration and spread new lighting concepts while addressing the changing needs of the market.

Introducing the ‘illuminnovation lab’

The ‘illuminnovation lab’ is a pioneering initiative exploring the dynamic relationship between light, space and people. Designed as a collaborative hub, it aims to bring together diverse stakeholders, including designers, architects, end-users and industry leaders. The core objectives are to enhance lighting quality and energy efficiency, develop consumer-focused strategies and enable the seamless integration of lighting technologies into daily life. By fostering cross-industry collaboration and assembling a database of cutting-edge research, it endeavours to redefine industry standards and unlock new potential for lighting.

The ‘illuminnovation lab’ features six specialised labs, each addressing unique challenges and trends in lighting:

City Lab

The City Lab explores how lighting redefines urban spaces, focusing on smart cities, urban renewal, and sustainable public spaces. It features solutions such as smart streetlights powered by renewable energy, integrating solar panels, energy storage, and EV charging, along with AI-powered road lighting that adjusts to traffic and pedestrians and vehicle-road collaborative systems for enhanced safety and energy efficiency.

Tourism Lab

This lab integrates cultural elements with modern technology to enrich tourism experiences. Immersive lighting, such as AR/VR environments, brings historical landmarks to life, while interactive systems engage visitors more deeply. These designs also create social media-friendly spaces, attracting new audiences with shareable experiences.

Hotel Lab

The Hotel Lab showcases how lighting transforms hospitality spaces into personalised, luxurious and health-focused environments. It highlights biophilic designs and adaptive smart lighting tailored to guest needs and features such as therapeutic and acoustic lighting, all while promoting sustainability through eco-friendly practices.

Health Lab

Focusing on well-being this lab presents lighting designs that support circadian rhythms for better sleep and energy. Dynamic lighting systems simulate natural sunlight, while solutions such as therapeutic red light support recovery and rehabilitation. Elderly-friendly designs prioritise safety, visual comfort and circadian support for senior citizens.

Home Lab

The Home Lab highlights lighting for personal expression, sustainability and well-being. It showcases biophilic fixtures, solar-powered LEDs and smart home systems that allow for personalised lighting experiences. Mood-responsive systems adapt brightness and colour to match emotions, creating a calm and soothing environment.

Retail Lab

This lab redefines shopping with immersive, personalised and sustainable lighting. AI-driven adaptive systems create engaging environments for consumers, while interactive lighting highlights products and elevates the shopping experience. Sustainable practices, including energy-efficient fixtures and smart dimming systems, not only reduce energy consumption but also align with green building standards to promote environmentally responsible design.

Alighting Award

Recognising excellence in lighting products and suppliers, the award promotes innovation and improves user satisfaction through competitive evaluation in key cities such as Guangzhou, Chongqing, and Hangzhou.

‘Yang’s Selection’

A curated exhibition showcasing modern lighting designs that align with interior design trends. Visitors can explore six thematic zones, such as ‘Light Luxury and Elegance’ and ‘Creative Light and Shadow’, for inspiration in integrating lighting into contemporary spaces.

Light for Life Showcase

The Light for Life Showcase highlights how lighting enhances everyday life in commercial, residential, hospitality and healthcare spaces. It unites industry experts to discuss preferences for lighting quality, ambiance and personalisation. Post-exhibition events across China will showcase how innovative designs can be applied in practical settings, using industry feedback to refine solutions and drive progress in the lighting sector.

A Vision for the Future

Ms Lucia Wong, General Manager of Guangzhou Guangya Messe Frankfurt Co Ltd, shared: “The launch of the ‘illuminnovation lab’ marks an exciting milestone for the lighting industry. By fostering collaboration and innovation, GILE aims to shape a brighter future for lighting and redefine what’s possible for the industry. We look forward to working with our partners to drive progress and create new opportunities for all.”

The Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition (GILE) runs concurrently with the Guangzhou Electrical Building Technology (GEBT) exhibition. Both are part of Messe Frankfurt’s global ‘Light + Building’ series, which includes related exhibitions across Asia, Europe and the Americas.

The Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition and Guangzhou Electrical Building Technology will be held concurrently. Both shows are part of Messe Frankfurt’s Light + Building Technology fairs headed by the biennial ‘Light + Building’ event. The next edition will be held from 8 – 13 March 2026 in Frankfurt, Germany.

Messe Frankfurt organises several trade fairs for the light and building technology sectors in Asia, including Shanghai Intelligent Building Technology, Shanghai Smart Home Technology and Parking China. The company’s lighting and building technology trade fairs also cover the markets in Argentina, India, Türkiye, the UAE and the US.

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

For more information regarding the lighting shows in China, please visit www.light.cn.messefrankfurt.com or email light@china.messefrankfurt.com.