2022 LightFair Innovation Awards Celebrate Eighteen Winners

LightFair has announced the winners of its 2022 LightFair Innovation Awards (LIAs) in 14 categories, along with four overall excellence distinctions: Most Innovative Product of the Year (MIFOR 70 Lighting System by Klus), Technical Innovation (TruBlu™ Bluetooth Mesh Fixture Controller with Long Range Antenna by McWong International), Design Excellence (Easy-Link by Edison Price Lighting) and Judges’ Citation (CombiCable by Gripple) awards. The LightFair Conference and Trade Show runs through Thursday, June 23, at the Las Vegas Convention Center’s West Hall.

“Our 2022 LIA winners continue to pave the path for lighting innovation,” said Dan Darby, show director. “This year’s winners took innovation to the next level and created products that not only serve an important purpose in lighting but also demonstrate exceptional design capabilities and outside-of-the-box thinking.”

The 2022 LIAs recognize the most innovative products across 14 categories introduced since the October 2021 edition of LightFair. Category winners and special distinction honorees are:

Most Innovative Product of the Year: MIFOR 70 Lighting System by Klus

Technical Innovation: (TruBlu™ Bluetooth Mesh Fixture Controller with Long Range Antenna by McWong International

Design Excellence: Easy-Link by Edison Price Lighting

Judges’ Citation: CombiCable by Gripple

Indoor Decorative: MIFOR-70 Lighting System by Klus

Control Components & Hardware: TruBlu™ Bluetooth Mesh Fixture Controller with Long Range Antenna by McWong International

Commercial Indoor: Troffers, Suspended & Surface Mounted: Easy-Link by Edison Price Lighting

Non-Luminous: Research, Publications, Lighting Software & Specialty Hardware: Labarazzi by Viso Systems Aps

Lamps – Conventional, Retrofit & Replacement: LED PAR56 High Intensity Ultra Narrow Beam by LED Smart

LED/OLED – Chips & Modules: OSLON Square Batwing by Ams OSRAM

Ballasts, Transformers, Drivers, Systems & Kits: SmartSafe Emergency Backup for Low Temps by Keystone Technologies

Dynamic Color, Theatrical, Cove, Strips & Tape: TruCirque by Pureedge Lighting

Recessed Downlights, Wall Washers & Multiples: The LittleOnes™ by Usai Lighting

Parking, Roadway & Area Luminaries: SiteLine by Anp Lighting

Sports, Step, Landscape, Pool & Fountain Luminaries: Cuff Post Sconce by Wagner Architectural Systems

Industrial, Germicidal, Vandal, Emergency & Exit: Hybrid Architectural Cylindrical Downlight with Upper Air UVC by Pure Lighting

Track, Display, Undercabinet & Shelf: Aileron Track by Hevi Lite

Control-Enabling Technology, Connectivity & Software: SmartLoop Screw-In Controller with SmartPort Technology by Keystone Technologies

Judges for this year’s awards were an independent panel of lighting professionals: Lane Swainston and Javid Butler of Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and Ellen Kuklinski and George Huang of International Association of Lighting Designers (IES). The judges were moderated by Mark Roush of IES. Judging criteria included the product’s clarity of purpose, versatility, adaptability, sustainability, ease of use, design efficiency and aspects that enhanced human wellbeing, among others.

Winners were announced at the LightFair Trade Show at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21. Trade show attendees can take part in the LightFair Innovation Award Tour, led by Mark Roush of Experience Light LLC, on June 21 from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m.

Product Information, Images, and Booth Numbers for Winning Products
Innovation Awards
Most Innovative Product of the Year – the program’s highest award, recognizing the most innovative new product – MIFOR-70 Lighting System by Klus, Booth 2951; Indoor Decorative – MIFOR-70 Lighting System by Klus, Booth 2951

MIFOR is a system that allows unlimited design flexibility to create irregular lighting fixtures of almost any shape. The fixtures can take the form of circles or soft arcs transforming into the shape of a luminous line or plane. MIFOR’s main attraction undoubtedly is not being limited to specific standard fixtures. MIFOR encourages unconventional creativity.

Innovation Awards
Technical Innovation Award – recognizing the most forward-thinking advancement in lighting technology – TruBlu™ Bluetooth Mesh Fixture Controller with Long Range Antenna by McWong International. Also Control Components & Hardware, Booth 1964.

The TruBlu™ Bluetooth mesh Fixture Controller with Long Range Antenna offers flexible yet powerful networked lighting control outdoors. Since hardwiring is cost-prohibitive for outdoor applications, the introduction of a long-range (900ft) Bluetooth mesh wireless controller that can be integrated directly into a wide range of commercially available fixtures eliminates “range anxiety.” Together with features like continuous dimming, DLC certification, zone and luminaire level lighting control options, this controller enables cost-effective Bluetooth mesh control for outdoor lighting.

Innovation Awards
Design Excellence Award – recognizing outstanding achievement in design – Easy-Link by Edison Price Lighting Commercial Indoor: Troffers, Suspended & Surface Mounted – Easy-Link by Edison Price Lighting, Booth 2129.

EasyLink is a modular linear lighting system with a quick connector for ease of installation in any configuration. The socket rotates from downlight to uplight or any angle in-between. Linear sections can be assembled with in-line, T, X, and U connectors for limitless possibilities. Honeycomb or louvered baffles reduce glare while providing light output up to 2900 lumens in a 4-foot section. Easy-Link can be suspended, or mounted on walls or ceilings, attached to tables or floor mounted with a weighted base.

Innovation Awards
Judges’ Citation – Special recognition at judges’ discretion – ComiCable by GRIPPLE, Booth 1854.

CombiCable is a combined power and suspension pendant system. It enhances luminaire aesthetics, eliminating the need for zip ties to secure aircraft cable to the power cord after installation. The innovative end-to-end system easily installs into a 7/8” knockout on the fixture and connects directly into a conduit box via the supplied crossbar and low-profile canopy. The mechanical support from the aircraft cable allows both hands to terminate the conductors, improving health and safety. CombiCable can be height adjusted via the rip cord and is pre-assembled for ease and speed.

Innovation Awards
Non-Luminous – Research, Publications, Lighting Software & Specialty Hardware – Labarazzi by Viso Systems Aps, Booth 1321.

The Labarazzi® TLA generator generates flickering light for test and demonstration. The Labarazzi offers 26 preset flicker signals and can navigate between the signals with indications of waveform, frequency, flicker percent, duty cycle, modulation depth, PstLM and SVM. Users can design customized flicker signals by choosing waveform (square, sawtooth, triangle, sine, and cosine) and add frequency, modulation depth and duty cycle, then watch the result with the built-in 3000 K LED.

Innovation Awards
Lamps – Conventional, Retrofit & Replacement – LED PAR56 High Intensity Ultra Narrow Beam by LED Smart, Booth 3171.

The LED PAR56 uses only 25W, producing over 340,000 cbcd, with ultra-narrow angle of 4°. The various voltages are for use in all types of applications. The lamp is equipped with high impact tempered glass and single piece aluminum body for best heat dissipation, allows for use in all types of environments, and with built in heat transfer, allows for use for ice and snow melt. It is ideal for use as a transportation headlight, search light, mining light, and various other applications. With 30,000 hours of expected lifetime, it lasts 30x longer than traditional incandescent.

Innovation Awards
LED/OLED – Chips & Modules – OSLON Square Batwing by Ams OSRAM, Booth 1428.

From the OSLON Square family comes the OSLON Square Batwing. This product solves a problem encountered in greenhouses all over the world. Current LED fixtures using lambertian primary lens and a glass cover are at risk of creating hotspots of high concentrations of light directly underneath the fixture. The primary optics on the OSLON Square Batwing increase light uniformity, enabling design simplification, fixture count reducation and increased efficiency.

Innovation Awards
Ballasts, Transformers, Drivers, Systems & Kits – SmartSafe Emergency Backup for Low Temps by Keystone Technologies, Booth 1943.

This Constant Wattage LED Emergency Backup Driver works in the coldest conditions. Its operating temperature range goes down to -20°C/-4°F, and there’s a built-in heater for an additional advantage. It drives LED loads at 12W (nominal) for a minimum of 90 minutes, has short circuit overload and open load protections, and its dual flex conduit fits into ½” knockouts. This rugged EMRG backup will keep the lights on in the toughest locations, including freezer warehouses and cold storage.

Innovation Awards
Dynamic Color, Theatrical, Cove, Strips & Tape – TruCirque by Pureedge Lighting, Booth 235.

New patent-pending TruCirque gives designers a pristine circle of architectural illumination featuring an innovative way to light the space: RGB+TW (an RGB strip plus a tunable white strip) on one switch. The flawlessly illuminated circle recesses for a clean look with no joist modification required and is field cuttable, blending in seamlessly with the architecture. RGB+TW turns each space into a uniquely lit experience, adjusting the lighting with tunable white from 6500K to 2700K.

Innovation Awards
Recessed Downlights, Wall Washers & Multiples – The LittleOnes™ by Usai Lighting, Booth 2143.

The LittleOnes™ is a complete offering of fixtures, all with apertures of less than one inch – including fixed downlights, adjustable accents, and wall washers. It features a superior optical design with smooth distribution, excellent uniformity and best-in-class glare control. Full ceiling-to-floor wall wash achieved through a patented 5-part optical system; adjustable + dimmable; square + round wall wash; ability to spotlight areas of interest without scalloping shadows or backlight; ability to illuminate large areas with off-the-chart comfortability by industry UGR measurements.

Innovation Awards
Parking, Roadway & Area Luminaries – SiteLine by Anp Lighting, Booth 3633.

SiteLine post-top luminaires are designed with a patent-pending clamping mechanism that allows multiple fixtures to be mounted at any height or point in a 360° degree radius on a single pole with no visible hardware. The two-size post top luminaires and large wall mount are available with performance optics or low-glare, edge-lit comfort LED Panels. The luminaires seamlessly integrate occupancy and photo controls. Lumen Packages on the post tops range from 4,500 to 20,000 lumens with Type II, III, IV, & V distributions in 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, and 4000K.

Innovation Awards
Sports, Step, Landscape, Pool & Fountain Luminaries – Cuff Post Sconce by Wagner Architectural Systems, Booth 3629.

The Cuff Post Sconce is a small scale, indirect, handrail fixture, designed to create an elegant new illumination opportunity. With both day and nighttime presence, the designs feature architecturally relevant, solid pipe segment profiles, encircling the posts. The variations can add direct apertures of light. These housings provide an aural wash on the posts and strafe highlights along the handrail. The luminaries also introduce a unique output that exemplifies foundational lighting methods, with a thoughtful range of aesthetics; they showcase artful lighting and high metal craft.

Innovation Awards
Industrial, Germicidal, Vandal, Emergency & Exit – Hybrid Architectural Cylindrical Downlight with Upper Air UVC by Pure Lighting, Booth 2469.

Hybrid Architectural Cylindrical Downlight with Upper Air UVC combines the best of two lighting technologies: architectural suspended cylindrical downlighting with invisible UVC LED germicidal upper air treatments. This downlight was built specifically for aesthetic-forward spaces such as theaters, auditoriums, and atriums where light leakage, loud HVAC, or ugly blockish devices are not allowed. It is an American-made, specification-grade downlight with options for lumen output, beam angle and color temperature with DMX and 0-10V dimming.

This light comes in white, bronze, or black and its replaceable upper-air UVC LED module ensures high treatment efficacy with improving technology.

Innovation Awards
Track, Display, Undercabinet & Shelf – Aileron Track by Hevi Lite, Booth 2571.

The Aileron Track is a multi-head fully adjustable pendant fixture, suitable for wet locations. Each accent light fixture is integrated into a single-track power supply. It is perfect for commercial courtyards or residential patios. Fixtures may be adjusted in any position, up above the track or below it. The track may be equipped from 2- 6 fixture heads and each accent point is equipped with a high output LED at 1200 lumens. It comes in 2700K, 3000K, and 4000K color temperatures and optics are field replaceable from spot to flood. The Aileron Track is California JA8 compatible for interior use as well.

Innovation Awards
Control-Enabling Technology, Connectivity & Software – SmartLoop Screw-In Controller with SmartPort Technology by Keystone Technologies, Booth 1943.

The SmartLoop Screw-in Controller, with integrated daylight and PIR motion sensor, simply screws into a high bay fixture with Keystone’s SmartPort technology. It commissions quickly, eliminating the need to climb on a scissor lift to set up, and adjusts with the touch of the SmartLoop smartphone app. It’s easy to set schedules and meet user needs and provides wireless lighting control in seconds.

All 2022 submissions, winners, product information, and images can be found in the virtual awards directory in the LightFair App.

The 2022 LightFair Trade Show and Conference runs through June 23 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

—Press Release