In excess of 2,200 industry people attended SPARC International Lighting Event 2013 from 4-6 June in Sydney.

Held at the Overseas Passenger Terminal and in the heart of the magnificent VIVID Sydney festival, SPARC 2013 consisted of an opening ceremony, an exhibition by 73 lighting companies, a program of renowned international and Australian speakers and a concluding gala dinner.

“After only its second staging, SPARC cemented itself as the southern hemisphere’s leading event for lighting professionals and stakeholders in the built environment,” says SPARC chief executive Bryan Douglas.

The exhibition showcased leading edge innovations, products and technology — reflecting developments in interior, exterior, retail and commercial lighting and lighting controls. Exhibiting companies ranged from large multinationals to smaller niche businesses from across Australia and overseas. Solid state lighting and lighting controls technology featured prominently.

The speaker program including renowned experts from Australia and around the world. Topics were as diverse as the rise of media facades and media architecture, the past and future of lighting design, the potential of spectral power distribution of light used for illumination, the role and use of social media in the lighting industry, and designing lighting for circadian rhythm as an example of the importance of the role of light in human life and health.

Speakers

• Ms Motoko Ishii, Motoko Ishii Lighting Design Inc.
• Mr Emmanuel Clair, Light Cibles Pte Ltd
• Mr Rogier van der Heide, Philips Lighting
• Dr Wendy Davis, University of Sydney
• Mr John Johnson, Lightwaves
• Mr Tim Greer, Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects
• Mr Paul Beale, Electrolight
• Mr Rick Morrison, AECOM
• Dr Matthias (Hank) Haeusler, University of New South Wales and Dr Martin Tomitsch, University of Sydney

SPARC is a biennial event, with the next staging in Sydney planned for June 2015.