Frankfurt am Main, 23.10.2025. — Innovation meets the future: The world’s leading trade fair for lighting and building services technology invites visitors to Frankfurt from 8 to 13 March 2026 to showcase the latest developments in the industry. Particularly visionary concepts will be honoured with the Designplus Award powered by Light + Building.
From technical lighting and lighting components to smart building technology and security systems, the Designplus Award powered by Light + Building recognises exceptional innovations and sustainable designs in the fields of lighting, electrical engineering and home and building automation. In collaboration with Stylepark, platform and magazine for architecture and design, Messe Frankfurt offers exhibiting companies the opportunity to enter their products in the competition. In addition to a festive award ceremony, the winning brands benefit from two exclusive digital presentation formats and a comprehensive communication programme that highlights their award-winning solutions.
New categories for more inspiration
Instead of four, the competition now comprises six categories, including two special awards. The Designplus Award thus offers an even bigger stage for creative and sustainable solutions. The special categories ‘Young Innovators +’ and
‘Sustainable Exhibition Stand +’ also underline Messe Frankfurt’s commitment to supporting young companies and promoting sustainable trade fair design.
The categories at a glance:
· SUSTAINABILITY & FUTURE ENERGY +
We are looking for energy-efficient systems, renewable heating solutions, storage technologies and concepts for circular economy and resource conservation.
· SMART & CONNECTED SOLUTIONS +
Products and systems that tap into new efficiency potential through the use of IoT, artificial intelligence, BIM or smart networking.
· LIGHTING DESIGN & ATMOSPHERE +
The focus here is on luminaires and lighting systems as well as intelligent controls and lighting design tools.
· USER EXPERIENCE & INTEGRATION +
Submissions that promote new working and living environments, combine sustainability and design, and put people at the centre of attention will be honoured.
· YOUNG INNOVATORS +
All start-ups and young innovators supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, as well as exhibitors in the Young Design Area, are eligible to participate.
· SUSTAINABLE EXHIBITION STAND +
The award recognises exhibitors who impress with a particularly sustainable stand concept.
The independent expert jury consisting of industry experts who are well versed in the top themes of Light + Building, will decide on the award winners in a two-stage selection process. After the initial review and evaluation of the submissions, the nominees will first be announced before the winners are selected in the second stage. The evaluation will focus on which products make a decisive contribution to a sustainable building sector.
Both the nominated and winning products will be presented in an online gallery and showcased in digital info hubs at the exhibition grounds during the trade fair. At Light + Building 2026, the winners will be honoured at a festive award ceremony and receive the exclusive Designplus Award Trophy.
Award-winning exhibits gain visibility beyond the trade fair. The Designplus Award is highly regarded in the industry and strengthens companies’ market positioning in the long term.
Register now and take part
All exhibitors at Light + Building 2026 are invited to enter their innovative and sophisticated products in the Designplus Award powered by Light + Building. Registration is open until 19 January 2026. The jury meeting will take place on 4 February 2026.
All information about the Designplus Award can be found at:
www.light-building.com/designplus.
Light + Building – The world’s leading trade fair for lighting and building services technology. The next edition will take place from 8 to 13 March 2026.
www.light-building.com
