Light + Building 2026 - DALI Alliance recap

DALI Alliance at Light + Building 2026: DALI+ sets a new course

Digital lighting control takes center stage at the world’s leading trade fair in Frankfurt on the Main

Frankfurt, March 19, 2026 – This year’s Light + Building clearly demonstrated the direction in which the lighting market is heading: wireless, interoperable lighting control is a key factor in the energy efficiency and sustainability of buildings. Accordingly, the DALI+ digital protocol was a hot topic at the DALI Alliance’s booth. The global industry organization noted significant interest in DALI+ with Thread, which enables standardized, IP-enabled, and wireless communication. Another highlight was the presentation of the annual DALI Lighting Awards for international flagship projects that innovatively integrate DALI-based lighting systems.

Today’s buildings collect data to measure, respond to, and adapt to the needs of their users. The increasing integration of building systems calls for solutions that are flexible, scalable, and compatible across manufacturers. This is exactly where DALI+ can help. The technology combines the well-known strengths of the DALI ecosystem, interoperability, precise lighting control, and energy efficiency, with the freedom of a wireless mesh network. For many visitors to the DALI Alliance booth at Light + Building 2026, it was particularly important that DALI+ is not a standalone solution, but rather can expand existing DALI installation and integrate into modern IP infrastructures. “DALI+ with Thread can help provide the answer to new requirements in building operations and bridges the gap between traditional wired and wireless lighting control technologies, whilst maintaining our premise of interoperable, standardized and certified,” says Paul Drosihn, General Manager of the DALI Alliance.

Many technical discussions focused on specific application scenarios: retrofits in existing buildings, hybrid installations combining proven wired DALI systems with DALI+, and integration into building management platforms. “We observed particularly strong and growing interest in DALI+. We also had productive discussions with potential new members, as well as with existing members looking to bring DALI+ products to market,” Drosihn concludes. The keen interest shown by many media representatives on site further underscores this impression.

DALI Lighting Awards
The well-attended ceremony for the prestigious DALI Lighting Awards at the DALI booth reflected the momentum surrounding DALI-based lighting control systems. The continuing global growth of DALI is evident from the record number of submissions, which rose almost threefold. Awards in 13 categories and three special prizes demonstrate how DALI adds value in real-world projects. See all the winners at www.dali-alliance.org/awards2026

IP-based, interoperable, and increasingly wireless
A total of around 2,000 exhibitors and more than 140,000 trade visitors from 143 countries came to the Frankfurt Exhibition Center. “Attendance seemed lower than the previous show, with lighter traffic on the first and last day, partially due to regional travel impacts. But we still saw strong engagement for DALI and solid member representation throughout,” said Drosihn. Looking ahead, Drosihn hopes for even greater involvement of lighting designers at the DALI booth. In terms of content, however, the world’s leading trade fair sent a strong signal: The future of lighting control is, interoperable, and increasingly IP-based or wireless.