The 2025 Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition (GILE) concluded on June 12, marking three decades as the world’s premier lighting industry event. Held at the China Import and Export Fair Complex, this year’s edition—under the theme “360º+1: Practicing Infinite Light, Taking One Step Further to Illuminate New Lifestyles”—drew 211,173 visitors from 151 countries, reinforcing its role as the global hub for lighting innovation and collaboration.
From AI-driven smart lighting to cultural fusion in design, GILE 2025 showcased how light transcends functionality—becoming a tool for health, sustainability, and storytelling. Here’s a deep dive into the event’s highlights, trends, and future directions.
1. Event Overview: Scale & Global Impact
By the Numbers
- 211,173 attendees (+13% vs. 2024)
- 3,188 exhibitors from 20 countries
- 250,000㎡ exhibition space (25 halls)
- 100+ forums on lighting tech, design, and applications.
Key Themes
- “Light for Life”: Explored lighting’s role in healthcare, agriculture, and smart cities.
- Cross-Industry Fusion: Highlighted synergies with architecture, IoT, and biotech.
- Sustainability: Showcased low-carbon lighting and circular design.
Personal observation: The “Light + Design” pavilion mesmerized me with emotion-responsive lighting systems that adapt to users’ moods—proof that light is now an experiential medium, not just a utility.
2. Cutting-Edge Innovations
AI & Smart Lighting
- Shenzhen Jueming unveiled AI retail lighting that auto-adjusts to display colors (e.g., enhancing reds for Valentine’s promotions).
- Ningbo Sunpu showcased RGBCW tunable lights for circadian rhythm regulation in homes.
Cultural & Artistic Lighting
- The “Dual Cities” installation (Guangzhou × Milan) blended traditional lantern art with interactive projections.
- Jiangmen Huapu’s music-synced LED strips turned ceilings into dynamic concert halls.
Health & Sustainability
- Guangdong Weiguan introduced “light recipes” for Alzheimer’s patients, using 2700K warm tones to reduce agitation.
- Solar-integrated streetlights from VS Lighting cut energy use by 60%.
3. Industry Insights: Voices from the Floor
Exhibitor Perspectives
- Ye Bing (Sunpu Optoelectronics): “GILE connects us to European and Middle Eastern buyers—30% of our 2025 orders came from here.”
- Liu Kangpeng (VS Lighting): “With visa-free entry, we met 50+ new clients from Southeast Asia.”
Buyer Feedback
- Donato Conte (Brazil): “Brazil imports 80% of lighting gear—GILE is our top sourcing channel.”
- Kriangkrai Pattanapakdee (Thailand): “The IoT lighting workshops were game-changers for our smart-city projects.”
4. Future Trends Shaping Lighting
1. AIoT Integration
- Lighting as a data hub: Sensors in fixtures monitor air quality, occupancy, and energy use.
- Example: DALI Alliance’s demo of predictive maintenance for commercial buildings.
2. Human-Centric Lighting (HCL)
- “Biological lighting” adjusts color temperature to align with natural circadian rhythms.
- Case: B+H Architects used HCL to boost employee productivity by 18%.
3. Cultural Narratives Through Light
- AR-enhanced heritage sites (e.g., “digital shadow plays” at Chinese temples).
- Trend: 50% of luxury hotels now use locally inspired lighting for branding.
5. Why GILE Matters for the Industry
For Businesses
✔ Global reach: 40% of exhibitors secured overseas deals.
✔ R&D networking: 1,000+ R&D meetings facilitated.
For Professionals
✔ Career growth: Lighting Design Forums featured Pritzker Prize-winning architects.
✔ Skill upgrades: Hands-on VR lighting simulations trained 3,000+ designers.
Final Thoughts: Lighting’s Next Decade
GILE 2025 proved that lighting is no longer just “making things visible”—it’s about enhancing life. As Hu Zhongshun (GILE Director) noted, “Our 30-year journey is just the start. The future lies in light that heals, connects, and inspires.”
Mark your calendars: GILE 2026 returns on June 9–12!
