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New
Lamps Shine Bright at Big Apple Convention Center
Designed
by the world renowned architectural firm of I.M. Pei & Partners,
the Javits Center is one of many structural gems on New York City’s
streetscape. The facility, which has served as the city’s convention
and exhibition center since 1986, now has an inner-beauty and shine
comparable to its exterior due to the installation of Venture Lighting’s
metal halide lamps.
The
Javits Center, located in the heart of Manhattan, hosts more than
300 events annually and frequently ranks high in convention center
studies for its millions of attendees and quality of shows. The
facility contains nearly one million square feet of floor space
with ceiling heights ranging from nine feet under balconies to 37
feet in exhibit areas. Using dividers, that space can be separated
into a maximum of 11 separate exhibit halls for concurrent shows.
In addition, approximately 100 meeting and hospitality rooms are
available.
Javits
Center Competes in Big Business Convention Market
In
spite of all of its amenities, Javits faces fierce competition among
other metropolitan cities for trade show bookings due to the economic
benefits that result. For example during an average year, Javits
Center events inject more than 1.3 billion dollars into the New
York City economy --- dollars earned based on the appearance and
functionality of the facility. As tradeshow planners scour convention
centers from coast to coast for event locations, even the slightest
elements can be differentiators in landing another show. Therefore,
to remain competitive, the facility must operate at its highest
level to maintain a steady schedule of trade shows and conventions.
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Although
the lighting may not be what tradeshow planners, attendees and exhibitors
immediately notice, this aesthetically pleasing dimension adds to
their overall experience at the Javits Center. One group that does
recognize everyday the benefits of metal halide lamps is the facility’s
electrical staff. Very pleased with its lighting system, Javits
Center electricians continue to specify and install Venture Lighting’s
metal halide lamps. In fact, just recently, three main halls at
Javits, totaling nearly 400,000 square feet, were upgraded to Venture’s
400 watt Uni-Form® pulse start systems, which included metal
halide lamps and Opti-Waveâ ballasts. Designed to optimize
waveform output, Opti-Wave ballasts and Uni-Form pulse start lamps
provide more light for less energy. The ballast helps enhance lumen
maintenance, improve color uniformity, ensure quieter operation
and extend lamp life. Venture is the only manufacturer of true Uni-Form
pulse start systems.
In
addition to the system’s superior lighting performance, the
electricians have noticed other benefits, including the mount durability
and strength provided by Venture’s patented weldless mount
construction. One of the electricians said, "Uni-Form pulse
start lamps can withstand the vibration from many trucks hauling
freight and exhibits in and out of a giant, multi-use facility like
the Javits Center. We are very satisfied and will continue to use
them."
The
process of switching lighting systems actually began in early 1999
when Javits Center officials addressed the facility’s lighting
issues in an effort to remain competitive and uphold its reputation
as one of the most aesthetically pleasing convention centers in
the U.S. Solutions for low illumination, poor color rendering and
frequent maintenance were at the top of their list. At the time,
the exhibit halls featured 400-watt mercury vapor lamps in exhibit
areas. With a color rendering index (CRI) of less than 50 and a
low lumen per watt output, mercury vapor lamps are not very appealing
to companies trying to showcase products at trade shows or conventions.
As a result, Javits Center hired a professional lighting consultant
to review and improve the lighting system.
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Uni-Form® 400W System Benefits
•
Up to 50% more mean lumens over life than a standard 400W metal
halide
• Long
life: 20,000+ hours
• High
initial lumens: 44,000
• Optimized
lamp/ballast systems for superior performance
• UV
Shield®, available with shrouded lamps, reduces yellowing of
acrylic luminaires
Consultant’s
Advice Brightens the Javits --- Literally and Financially
After
an extensive review of the Javits Center’s lighting levels
and requirements, the consultant investigated several lighting sources
and recommended metal halide lamps, specifically, Venture Lighting’s
400 watt metal halide lamps. Metal halide technology provides a
crisp, bright white light with excellent color uniformity and color
rendering to allow exhibitors to enhance displayed products. In
addition to quality light output, the lamps will perform for more
than 20,000 hours.
With
the obvious upgrades that metal halide would offer, Javits Center
officials moved forward on the recommendation. Throughout 1999 and
2000 the Javits’ electrical staff replaced 1,692 mercury vapor
lamps and fixtures with new fixtures and 400-watt lamps in the exhibition
hall areas.
Due
to the increased lighting levels provided by the metal halide lamps,
the staff was able to reduce the number of fixtures by half and
still gain 60 percent more light --- a cost savings for the center
and its exhibitors. In other areas of the center, where 24-hour
continuous light is required, 175-watt metal halide lamps were installed.
Javits’ staff reports that these lamps have been burning continuously
for more than three years with only a handful of lamps needing replacements.
With
the success of the metal halide system, Javits officials continue
to upgrade its lighting system with Venture Lighting’s Uni-Form
pulse start lamps for superior bright light and efficient, long-life
performance.
For
more information on Venture Lighting’s metal halide lamps and
ballasts, visit www.venturelighting.com.
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