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High Tech Green Lighting - that's Sustainable Entertainment
The Middle East's professional lighting sector is expected to follow the European lead in environmentally-responsible, sustainable solutions, according to industry experts.
"Companies are competing fiercely in the lighting sector to deliver power savings with a variety of new technologies, including micro-plasma lights, high-intensity discharge lighting ballast systems and organic light-emitting diodes, among others," said Alex Heuff, exhibition director for PALME Middle East.
PALME, organised by IIR Middle East, is the region's largest dedicated trade show for professional audio, lighting, music, entertainment, audio visual and systems integration and takes place from 26-28 April 2009 at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre.
Now in its seventh year, PALME Middle East promises to host more exhibitors and visitors than ever next year. The 2009 show will consist of four key show segments: PALME, professional audio and lighting; Install, systems integration; Event 360, for event organisers and suppliers for the Middle East's event industry; Musac, professional DJ and musical instruments exhibition. In addition, there will also be two gala events - the Middle East Lighting Design Awards (MELDA) and the Middle East Event Industry Awards (MEEIA).
With 800 brands covering 20,000 square metres of exhibition space and more than 8,000 visitors, PALME Middle East provides a unique opportunity for key decision makers to get an update on the latest technologies.
"Visitors to PALME Middle East are involved in entertainment, events, shopping malls, commercial and residential developments, and leisure and hotel facilities.
They are now more environmentally conscious than ever and mindful not only of the impending green building standards, but their own corporate social responsibility," added Heuff.
To prove the point Barco this year unveiled the world's first environmentally friendly outdoor display with sustainable components using minimal power consumption. According to Wim De Geest, managing director, Barco-Middle East, they decided to launch at PALME Middle East in April this year, because "it's the largest gathering of industry professionals throughout the region and the Middle East is one the fastest growing markets in the world." As a result, they have even bigger things planned for 2009.
"Today, the region is probably one of few growth markets worldwide," stated Alex Heuff.
Its focus on energy saving issues will be no better reflected than at the Middle East Lighting Design Awards (MELDA), which will recognise outstanding lighting achievement in the Gulf Co-operation Council countries.
The awards presentation gala dinner will take place on April 26 at the Westin Hotel, Dubai, when IIR expects over 250 of the world's leading lighting designers and architects to converge in Dubai for this unique celebration of innovation and design excellence.
Philips, who have done as much as any company to promote energy saving light sources and environmental sustainability, are the show's Platinum Sponsor and Mindstec are the Gold Sponsor.
With a global lighting market worth around $75 billion, lighting consumes about a fifth of all power generated. Since its invention over 100 years ago, the incandescent light bulb has dominated lighting though it converts only about 15% of electricity into light. Compact fluorescent light bulbs are more efficient but their light is less pleasing to the eye and they contain mercury, a toxin that makes disposal and recycling problematic.
Around the world, the industry is turning to light-emitting diodes as an environmentally friendly alternative. This combines the pleasant quality of incandescent light with the energy efficiency of fluorescent LED technology - a technique already well developed for uses like billboards. But a recent study showed that its use for indoor lighting in the US would lead to power savings equal to the output from 27 x 1GW power plants.
Currently, LEDs are primarily made by lighting subsidiaries of companies like Philips but companies that make computer chips may enter lighting.
Even more efficient and environmentally friendly organic LED systems are also on the horizon, Alex Heuff added. "They can not only be used in television screens and computer displays but also as light sources for general space illumination and large-area light-emitting elements. A significant benefit of OLED displays is that they draw far less power and, when powered from a battery, can operate longer on the same charge."
A host of exciting LED-driven projects have been earmarked for the UAE such as property developer, Tamweer's 100-metre LED media facade. The podium's LED screen will consist of series of LED fixtures arranged on individual panels, which will be mounted section by section on to the varying contours of the building's facade. To achieve the highest visual quality, Dactronics will utilise concealed fasteners that will allow for a transparent effect, while the water-tight connectors resist corrosive water penetration.
There will be plenty for the industry to consider when the world's technologists descend on Dubai. These issues will be debated further during the PALME Middle East seminar programme, which will also focus on system integration solutions; acoustic engineering; sound reinforcement; live events and smart home applications - as well as green LED technologies.
Revealing details of exhibitors already signed up, Alex Heuff said the 2009 event is already more than 60% sold out. Exhibitors include major manufacturers and solution providers such as Philips, Mindstec, TMB, AMX, Extron, Audipack, BARCO, Sanyo, Pioneer, Prolyte/Doughty, Lifter Systems, Columbus McKinnon, LOBO, ProelGroup, EVI Audio, Dynacord, Robe, Clay Paky, Taiden, Lighthouse, Meyer Sound, SES Entertainment, DIS Danish, LED Factory, Laseronics, Projection Designs, Lagotek and Module Decor.
In picture: show director Alex Heuff
8th December 2008
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