The Light Middle East Awards is the region’s largest and most influential recognition platform for the lighting industry. Now in its 12th edition, the awards will celebrate exceptional individuals, products, projects, and companies for their outstanding achievements, visionary contributions, and exemplary performance in the global lighting sector. Winners will be selected through a meticulous evaluation process conducted by an independent panel of distinguished local and international industry experts.
Important dates:
- Awards Open: 28 May 2025
- Early Bird Deadline: 18 July 2025
- Final Entry Deadline: 19 September 2025
- Round 1 Jury Assessment and Voting (Online): 29 September – 12 October 2025
- Shortlists Announcement: 20 October 2025
- Round 2 - Projects Shortlist Q&A: 11 January 2026 (Dubai World Trade Centre)
- Round 2 - Product Shortlist Q&A: 12 January 2026 (Dubai World Trade Centre)
- Awards Ceremony & Winners Announcement: 14 January 2026
Why participate at the Light Middle East Awards?
Global Recognition
Winners receive unparalleled recognition and popularity across the industry, marking their achievements on an international stage.
Innovation Showcase
The most reputed platform in the region to showcase your breakthroughs in lighting design and technology.
Networking Galore
Mingle with the who's who of the lighting world, from industry veterans to budding innovators, and expand your professional network.
Expert Judging Panel
Our awards are judged by a panel of esteemed experts, ensuring that innovation, sustainability, and design excellence are at the forefront of each decision.
Award Categories
Project of the Year
- Project of the Year - MEA
This category recognizes the best architectural lighting design for a completed project within the MEA region. Entrants must be designers and awards will be granted only to the team or teams that created the detailed design of the architectural lighting for the project that was submitted. The project must be a permanent architectural lighting design solution for which construction was completed after 1 July 2024.
- Project of the Year: International
This category recognizes the best in architectural lighting design for an iconic completed project outside of the MEA region. Entrants must be designers and awards will be granted only to the team or teams that created the detailed design of the architectural lighting for the project that was submitted. The project must be a permanent architectural lighting design solution for which construction was completed after 1 July 2024.
- Light Middle East Project of the Year
This category celebrates the best project of the year and one which has achieved the overall highest score from the judging panel, the Ultimate Award for 2026.
Product of the Year
- Indoor Lighting Product of the Year
This category recognizes products that utilize innovative technology to produce high-value, high-performance indoor lighting solutions with outstanding design principles.
- Outdoor Lighting Product of the Year
This category recognizes products that utilize innovative technology to produce high-value, high-performance outdoor lighting solutions with outstanding design principles.
- Decorative Lighting Product of the Year
This category recognizes products that utilize specific designs to add ambient lighting in a variety of spaces and also turn a surface into something decorative. Products entered could be anything from Chandelier / Table Lamp / Wall Lamp / Bespoke etc..
- Intelligent Lighting Solution of the Year
This category recognizes innovation that includes all visible light communication, IoT, Li-fi, controls, IP-based systems, data management, guest room management systems, and smart city technologies.
- Peer Award
This is a public voting category and all shortlisted product entries are eligible to win. Voting is undertaken by the community online and also live at the exhibition until 12 Jan 2026.
Partner of the Year
- This category to be reviewed by the local judges recognizes manufacturers / suppliers / distributors, based across MEA who have demonstrated excellence in lighting, innovation and collaboration between project & design teams leading to successful lighting projects.
2026 Judging Chair
Martin Lupton
Co-founder, Light Collective UK
Sharon Stammers
Co-founder, Light Collective UK
2026 Judges
Product Category
Giovanni Zambri
Project Design Director, SMITH TAIT
Vinod Pillai
Partner + Design Director, Studio Lumen
Jamie R Watt
Director, Light Alliance
Ahmed Bayashout
Founder & Design Director, Studio A Lighting
Amy Semple
Head of Dubai Studio, LDPi
Faraz Izhar
Lead Lighting Designer, AE7
Nonita Sabin
Associate Director, neolight global
Jelena Lazarevic
Associate, Foundry Studio
Courtney Mark
Design Director & Founder, Studio Mark
Christopher Lowe
Design Associate Director, Dirriyah
Regina Santos
Founder & Design Director, Light Fusion
Louise Santiago
Associate, dpa lighting consultants
Teresa Enroth
Associate Lighting Designer, Light Touch PLD
Erin Denkovska
Senior Associate, Delta Lighting Design
Sky Bembury
Associate Principal, Optimum Lighting Design
Iliana Zotou
Senior Lighting Designer, Nulty
Paula Fernanda Cortes
Head of Lighting Design Studio - Technical Director, WSP in the Middle East
Maria Dautant
Senior Associate, HLB Lighting
Alexia Gkikka
Senior Associate Project Manager, Coen + Partners
Carolina Florian
Director of Lighting, Qiddiya
Catalina Casas-Cordero
Senior Lighting Manager, Red Sea Global
Project Category
Yah Li Toh
Principal, Light Collab
Michael Grubb
Founder, Michael Grubb Studio
Carla Jardim
Associate, The Flaming Beacon
Amy Rennie
Head of UK Lighting, Buro Happold
Kaori Hiroki
Senior Associate, Loop Lighting
Nivedita Sehrawat
Senior Lighting Designer, Light Bureau
Daniel Hodierne
Senior Lighting Designer, Light Bureau
The full panel of judges will be announced soon.
2025 Awards Sponsors
Join as a Sponsor
The Light Middle East Awards 2026 is more than just an awards programme, it’s where the industry’s brightest minds come together to celebrate achievement and ignite future innovation in sustainable, creative lighting.
Contact us today to explore sponsorship opportunities and maximise your brand’s visibility at the Light Middle East Awards.
Watch the 2025 Light Middle East Awards Highlights
FAQs
What is the event timeframe criteria required to be eligible for a 2025 award nomination?
The project must be a permanent architectural lighting design solution for which construction was completed after 1st July 2024
What is the deadline for submission?
The Light Middle East Awards 2025 submission deadline is 19th September 2025.
When do I have to make the payment for my nomination?
Please ensure to register on the awards platform and choose the selected categories by the early bird rate deadline, i.e. 18th July 2025 to take advantage of the early bird rate. The payment can be made at submission, before the final entry deadline, i.e. 19th September 2025.
How are the entries judged?
The entries are evaluated by a panel of industry experts based on criteria outlined for each category. The process includes a review of the submitted materials.
How can I submit a nomination?
Submit your nomination through our official awards portal – Evalato.
Is it possible to modify my nomination after submission?
Entries can be edited only when in drafts mode. Once submitted, modifications cannot be made.
How do I attend the awards ceremony?
You will need to buy a ticket to attend the awards ceremony. Please contact the team at lightmeawards@uae.messefrankfurt.com
Is sponsorship available for the awards?
Yes, sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact the team at lightmeawards@uae.messefrankfurt.com
