DALI Alliance Highlights Growth, Awards, and New Certifications at Light + Building 2026
The DALI Alliance reported strong global growth, introduced new certifications, and celebrated record participation in its annual awards program at Light + Building 2026. Attendance felt slightly lower than in past years, but engagement remained strong. The organization emphasized the quality of conversations and continued expansion of its ecosystem.
Your humble editor spoke with Paul Drosihn, General Manager of the DALI Alliance, at our studio following a tour of the alliance’s booth. The space reflected its collaborative model, with nine member companies sharing what Paul described as a community booth.
“This is a membership alliance booth,” Paul explained. “Each company has its own area, but we share the space. That makes it easier for members to participate and still maintain a strong presence.”
The concept drew steady attention. In addition to the companies on the stand, DALI Alliance members appeared throughout the halls. Their presence reinforced the scale of adoption across the industry–both in Europe and the U.S.
Global Membership Continues to Expand
The DALI Alliance now has more than 470 members worldwide. About half of them attended Light + Building this year. That level of participation highlights the growing importance of standardized lighting control.
Traffic at the show felt slightly slower than in previous years. However, Paul viewed that as a benefit. “It gives us more time with the right people,” he said.
DALI Awards See Record Submissions
The annual DALI Awards showed clear momentum. Submissions tripled compared to previous years. The alliance presented 16 awards across 13 categories.
“The quality was extremely high,” Paul noted. “Some companies expected to win but didn’t. That shows how much the bar has been raised.” The program continues to highlight projects that demonstrate strong use of DALI technology across global markets.
New Certifications Bridge Wired and Wireless Systems
At the show, the alliance highlighted new certification programs. These programs connect traditional DALI systems with wireless platforms.
The latest gateway certifications enable communication between DALI and Bluetooth or Zigbee networks. These standards support better integration with modern building systems.
The alliance also introduced its first certified DALI+ bridge. This technology connects wireless DALI+ systems with wired DALI infrastructure. “That’s a big milestone for us,” Paul said.
Looking Ahead
The DALI Alliance plans to continue its momentum with upcoming events, including LEDucation in New York. The group also plans additional training and a potential co-located summit in Dallas later this year.
As lighting systems become more connected, the DALI Alliance continues to play a key role. Its growth and technical progress position it at the center of the lighting controls market.
Go Deeper: DALI Alliance Launches Test and Certification Specifications for Wireless to DALI Gateways