In case you needed another reason to go to Vegas, North America’s biggest fair devoted to lighting systems and components fills up the Las Vegas Convention Center with the latest breakthroughs from some 500 exhibitors, including Philips, Beta-Calco, Traxon Technologies and a slew of LED specialists.

The show puts the full gamut of lighting applications – from decorative fixtures to lighting control systems – on display. There are several pavilions, devoted to building integration, daylighting, design, global light and design and new exhibitors. And for the mostly trade-oriented crowd, there’s a full program of CEU-accredited courses to take in.

The guest speakers are just as wide-ranging and eclectic. Delivering a keynote talk, for example, is Paul Debevec, of the University of Southern California’s Institute for Creative Technologies. He will explain how his lab employed LED-based “Light Stage” facial scanning systems to create photorealistic characters in such blockbusters as Spider-Man 2, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Avatar. Meanwhile, as part of the design symposia, which delves into how lighting is used in architectural projects, Chicago designer Lira Luis will discuss how Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin shelters are comprised of spaces defined by light.

Lightfair International takes place at the Las Vegas Convention Center, May 7 to 8. Azure is a media sponsor, so be sure to pick up our May 2012 issue at the show.