Leading-edge developments and future directions in lighting will be featured when Australia hosts the major SPARC International Lighting Event 2013 in June next year.

The event will be held from 4–6 June 2013 at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay in Sydney, Australia.

Building on the considerable success of the inaugural SPARC 2011, this event will draw international and national experts at the forefront of the industry, and attract thousands of participants including major lighting stakeholders, suppliers and manufacturers, and allied professionals across a broad range of related industries.

SPARC 2013 is a unique opportunity to see, touch and experience the very latest in lighting technology through a world class lighting exhibition by local and international companies.

Globally renowned experts will headline the speaker and educational seminar program. Keynote speakers include distinguished French architect Dominique Perrault known for the design of the French National Library and the European Court of Justice, and Japanese lighting designer Motoko Ishii, whose notable projects include the 1989 redesign of lighting for the Tokyo Tower, the Osaka and Himeji Castles and the Tokyo National Museum.

Networking opportunities range from the spectacular Opening Ceremony to the closing Gala Dinner at Sydney’s Town Hall.

SPARC 2013 will again coincide with magnificent Vivid Sydney – a festival of light, music and ideas providing additional colour, entertainment and activities that showcase lighting.

‘The first SPARC in 2011 attracted more than 3000 international and Australian visitors, proving Australia is ready to take its place on the world stage of premier lighting events alongside other major events in Frankfurt, New York, Milan and Guangzhou,’ said SPARC CEO Bryan Douglas.

‘We expect an equally grand scale and impressive attendance for SPARC 2013, from sectors including design, lighting design, industrial design, engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, building and project management, facility management, and major end users of architectural, retail and commercial lighting.

‘The Overseas Passenger Terminal, which commands magnificent views of Sydney Harbour, Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, will be a major drawcard, particularly for international visitors,’ Mr Douglas said.

SPARC 2013 begins on Tuesday 4 June 2013 with displays and the Opening Ceremony. The displays are open throughout Wednesday 5 June in conjunction with keynote presentations, conference sessions and educational seminars. The displays are again open during Thursday 6 June, before the closing Gala Dinner that evening.