HIGHLIGHTS FROM DALLAS MARKET 2007

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Lighting Trends at the Dallas market this year indicate an industry responding to the needs and sensitivities of the end user. As Green design and energy efficiency are increasingly important to consumers, a market is created for new technologies that manufacturers should be clamoring to fill. Progress Lighting and American Fluorescent are two such manufacturers. American Fluorescent is producing an LED under-cabinet fixture called the Diode28 series that would last for 10 years if lit continuously. Each fixture is 7 watts and up to 20 can be strung together. The Diode28 series was winner of the "Lighting for Tomorrow" award in 2006 in the Under-cabinet category by the American Lighting Association.

Progress lighting will be adding decorative pendants, recessed lighting, cove lighting and outdoor lighting with LED technology this summer. This is exciting news given that LED technology is estimated by The Department of Energy to reduce U.S. energy consumption for lighting by 29 percent by 2025, saving the nation's households about $125 billion in the process. Be watching for these exciting new fixtures on BellacorPro.com.

We are also seeing manufacturers responding to the growing popularity of outdoor living spaces. Not only is the number of available outdoor lamps increasing, but Minka Aire will soon be offering a series of wet location fans to support this growing trend. Be looking in our newsletter this spring for more outdoor living products.

Lastly, manufacturers are beginning to offer design elements that design professionals have been asking for for years. You can already see several traditional and contemporary styled oval shaped chandeliers on our site. This is something that makes sense for the use and configuration of most dining rooms and furniture. And along the same lines, Minka Aire will be offering trims for their 6" recessed light fixtures that coordinate with their finishes. This means a more cohesive look as all fixtures can be coordinated for any given project and an ideal solution for recessed fixtures in a wood ceiling.