Future Lighting: Illuminating Innovation and Well-Being in the Netherlands and Belgium
Future Lighting, formerly known as Elektro Vakbeurs, has established itself as the premier lighting trade fair for professionals in the Netherlands and Belgium. Held annually at the modern Evenementenhal NEXT LEVEL in Gorinchem, this event has become a benchmark for technological progress, design excellence, and interdisciplinary collaboration within the lighting industry.
Organized by easyFairs SA/NV, Future Lighting offers far more than a traditional exhibition. It is a dynamic platform that combines scientific knowledge with practical innovation, fostering dialogue between designers, engineers, architects, and manufacturers. The fair highlights the growing importance of Human Centric Lighting (HCL) and explores how light influences both human and animal well-being a theme that continues to gain momentum in modern architecture and urban planning.
A New Identity: From Elektro Vakbeurs to Future Lighting
The rebranding of Elektro Vakbeurs to Future Lighting marked a significant evolution for the fair. The change reflects not only the expansion of its thematic scope but also the transformation of the lighting industry itself. As lighting becomes increasingly digital, connected, and sustainable, the event’s new name underscores its focus on innovation, future-oriented solutions, and technological integration.
This strategic shift has strengthened the fair’s reputation as a comprehensive meeting point for everyone involved in lighting design, installation, and manufacturing. Future Lighting’s mission is to bring together visionaries and professionals who believe that lighting is more than illumination it is a science, an art, and a key factor in quality of life.
Thematic Focus: Human Centric Lighting and Beyond
The heart of Future Lighting lies in its forward-looking thematic areas, which explore how lighting technologies affect people, spaces, and environments. Human Centric Lighting, in particular, has emerged as a central theme. This approach emphasizes the role of light in supporting human biological rhythms, productivity, comfort, and emotional well-being.
Key topics at Future Lighting include:
Human Centric Lighting (HCL) and its impact on health and performance.
Lighting design for public and private spaces, balancing aesthetics with efficiency.
Smart lighting systems integrated with building automation technologies.
Sustainable and energy-efficient lighting solutions for cities and industries.
Lighting for animal welfare, particularly in agricultural and veterinary contexts.
By connecting scientific research with commercial innovation, the fair positions itself as a hub for technological exchange and creative collaboration.
Innovation on Display: From Products to Digital Systems
One of the defining aspects of Future Lighting is its broad range of exhibitors and demonstrations. Each year, leading brands and startups present their latest advancements in lighting technologies, offering professionals a glimpse into the future of the industry.
Visitors can explore:
Technical lighting for industrial, commercial, and residential use.
Indoor and outdoor lighting systems, including architectural and street lighting.
Lighting management and control software for energy optimization.
Building automation technologies integrating sensors and digital controls.
Electrical components and accessories supporting modern lighting infrastructure.
These exhibitions allow participants to experience firsthand how new technologies are revolutionizing lighting design, energy efficiency, and digital connectivity. For many, Future Lighting serves as a launchpad for product introductions and collaborative ventures.
Scientific and Educational Program: Knowledge Meets Practice
Beyond the exhibition floor, Future Lighting distinguishes itself through a strong educational dimension. The fair’s program of scientific lectures, workshops, and live presentations bridges the gap between research and real-world application.
Experts in lighting science, architecture, and engineering share their insights into how light affects perception, productivity, and well-being. Sessions often cover topics such as biophilic design, circadian rhythm adaptation, energy management, and digital lighting networks. The blend of theory and practice makes the event highly valuable for professionals seeking to stay informed about both technological trends and scientific discoveries.
This commitment to knowledge sharing transforms the fair into an interactive learning experience one where attendees gain not only inspiration but also practical expertise.
Gorinchem: The Ideal Home for Future Lighting
Choosing Gorinchem as the venue for Future Lighting is no coincidence. The city, located in the heart of the Netherlands, is recognized for its openness to innovation and its central position within the Benelux region.
The Evenementenhal NEXT LEVEL, with its modern architecture and advanced facilities, provides the perfect environment for a forward-thinking trade fair. The venue’s accessibility from major Dutch and Belgian cities makes it convenient for both local and international visitors. Its high-tech exhibition spaces and flexible conference areas allow for immersive displays, interactive installations, and digital showcases perfectly aligned with the event’s futuristic spirit.
The Role of easyFairs SA/NV: Connecting Industry and Innovation
As the organizer, easyFairs SA/NV brings extensive experience in managing professional trade events across Europe. The company’s focus on combining business networking with educational value is clearly reflected in Future Lighting’s format.
EasyFairs ensures that every edition promotes meaningful connections between industry stakeholders from manufacturers and distributors to designers and researchers. Its emphasis on sustainability, digitalization, and community engagement strengthens the event’s role as a catalyst for progress within the lighting industry.
The Growing Importance of Lighting in Modern Life
Lighting is no longer viewed as a purely technical element; it has become a key factor in health, architecture, and environmental design. The discussions at Future Lighting reflect this expanded understanding. Modern lighting solutions now influence everything from workplace productivity to ecological balance in urban settings.
The fair emphasizes how smart lighting can help cities reduce energy consumption, how color temperature and intensity affect human mood, and how digital controls can make buildings more adaptive and efficient. These developments illustrate why lighting is increasingly seen as an essential component of sustainable living.
Looking Ahead: The Bright Future of Future Lighting
As technological innovation accelerates, Future Lighting continues to evolve. Future editions are expected to delve deeper into emerging topics such as AI-driven lighting design, Li-Fi communication technologies, and circular lighting systems that minimize waste and maximize longevity.
The fair’s ongoing commitment to research, education, and sustainability ensures that it remains at the forefront of global lighting trends. For the Netherlands and Belgium, it represents not just a trade fair but a center of excellence for lighting professionals seeking to shape the industry’s future.
Where Science, Design, and Well-Being Converge
Future Lighting is more than a showcase of products it is a celebration of how light can enhance human life and the environment. By uniting technology, creativity, and science under one roof, the fair creates a space where innovation flourishes and ideas illuminate new possibilities.
Through its focus on Human Centric Lighting, sustainability, and smart technologies, Future Lighting continues to guide the industry toward a brighter, healthier, and more connected future quite literally lighting the way forward.
