A new event is gearing up to reshape the conversation around lighting and building technology. Light + Intelligent Building North America will launch March 15 to 18, 2027 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, bringing together architectural lighting, connected controls, software, and integrated building systems under one roof. The show is organized by Messe Frankfurt Inc., the IES, and the IALD—the same partners behind LightFair. The organizers expressed that the new event is not a rebrand of LightFair but rather a next-generation platform that builds on LightFair’s legacy while expanding into interoperability, secure controls, commissioning, and real-world performance.
“This launch advances the IES mission to improve the lighted environment by bringing standards, research, and education together with live, systems-level demonstrations,” said Colleen Harper, CEO and executive director of the IES. “From controls narratives and code compliance to measurable outcomes in comfort, safety, and energy, attendees will find CEU-eligible content and practical tools they can apply on day one.”
The event targets lighting professionals—architects, engineers, designers, agents, and specifiers—while welcoming system integrators, facility operators, IT/OT teams, developers, and utilities seeking high-performance, secure, and sustainable outcomes. The show floor intends to feature three zones for easy navigation:
Lighting: decorative, architectural, exterior, and specialty luminaires
Building Technology: networked lighting controls, automation, and adaptive systems
Accessories: drivers, optics, sensors, LEDs, and installation solutions.
The conference program will deliver CEU-eligible education across lighting design, codes and standards, health and wellness, and building technology topics such as cybersecurity, commissioning, decarbonization, and digital twins.
Exhibitor sales open this month, with early pricing through March 16, 2026. Registration for attendees begins October 2026. For updates and exhibitor intent forms, visit https://lightintelligentbuildingna.us.messefrankfurt.com.
In LD+A, November 2025, our staff published errors in the recollection of Michael S. Janoff in the “In Memoriam” section. We apologize for the inaccuracies, and out of respect for the Janoff family and Mr. Janoff’s accomplishments, a revised version is included below.
Michael S. Janoff passed away August 21, 2025, at the age of 85. Janoff was a Fellow of the IES and Member of the Roadway Lighting Committee. His work contributed significantly to the IES publication Recommended Practice (RP8) for Roadway Lighting.
He will be remembered mainly for his research in visibility. Janoff authored numerous white papers that were presented at various IES national conferences with 12 papers being published in the Journal of the IES along with other articles and reports. These publications directly influenced many IES Roadway Lighting Committee (RLC) Members to advance the research in roadway lighting.
Janoff is considered a legend in roadway lighting, and at RLC meetings, he always made time to personally mentor members, contributed to spirited conversation, and was respected by his peers. He also was called numerous times to be an expert witness for court cases.
Volunteers and members have played a pivotal role in advancing the IES mission through technical innovation, educational programs, and global outreach. To recognize these contributions, the IES presents four distinguished awards that honor exceptional service and technical achievement. What follows is an overview of these honors and the impact of those who receive them.
Outstanding Service of a Non-technical Nature
While the IES is a distinguished technical and educational non-profit organization devoted to illumination, its growth and success would not be possible without numerous volunteers who serve in non-technical roles. Event organization, membership engagement, program development, and committee leadership represent only part of these volunteers’ contributions.
Louis B. Marks Award
Named after the first president of the IES, the Louis B. Marks Award is the highest honor bestowed by the IES for exceptional non-technical service to the Society. In any given year, no more than one Marks Award is presented. Typically, nominees for this award have previously received the Distinguished Service Award. Marks Award recipients have generously shared their time, expertise, and leadership over many decades of service. The following are examples of the recipients’ possible contributions: serving on the IES Board of Directors, including as president; developing new programs or initiatives that benefited all IES Sections and Regions; chairing committees; promoting the mission of the Society to outside organizations; improving engagement within the Society; creating strategies to address ongoing challenges; and mentoring the next generation of lighting professionals.
Distinguished Service Award (DSA)
Established in 1967, the DSA recognizes dedicated non-technical service of at least 15 years that has meaningfully advanced the IES mission. Recipients of this award typically contribute through various programs and activities at both the regional and Society levels. There is no limit on the number of DSAs presented each year. Eligible candidates are evaluated on merit rather than in competition with one another. Their achievements span a wide range of contributions, from chairing award committees and leading conferences or event planning to helping establish local sections and expanding the Society’s global reach.
Significant Technical Contributions
Translating technical lighting knowledge for the public’s benefit is at the heart of the Society. The IES currently has approximately 40 technical committees; a peer-reviewed journal, LEUKOS; Research Forum; and standards library as well as offers numerous educational opportunities. The Society presents two prestigious awards recognizing technical achievements.
The IES Medal
Since 1944, the IES Medal has been given in recognition of meritorious lifetime technical achievements that have conspicuously furthered the profession, art, or knowledge of illuminating engineering. This includes achievements in the fields of engineering, design, applied illumination, optics, ophthalmology, and lighting research or education. This is the highest technical honor of the IES, and only one recipient is recognized annually. The recipients of the IES Medal have published numerous influential peer-reviewed articles, made noteworthy contributions to writing standards and other technical documents, authored patents, established new metrics, authored chapters and books on illumination engineering, created lighting courses, led numerous technical committees, served as lighting educators, and made scientific discoveries and technological innovations.
The IES Fellow Designation
The IES Fellow Designation is awarded to a Member for their valuable continuous contributions to the technical activities of the Society, to the art or science of illumination, or to related scientific or engineering fields. The contributions are as diverse as the backgrounds of these recipients. Examples of such contributions include standardizing the measurement of lighting products, advocating for the inclusion of lighting practices for seniors in government codes and regulations, creating the U.S. Department of Energy Solid-State Lighting Program, establishing a new lighting program at a university, developing UV lighting standards in response to COVID-19, and much more.
If you know individuals worthy of these awards, please consider nominating them. For further details and the requirements for each award, visit https://ies.org/about/society-awards/.
— Yulia Tyukhova, Ph.D., LC, 2025 IES Marks Award chair
