I write this as I’m heading back home after LightFair. By the time you read it, you’ll have seen a number of social media posts for and against the show. While the event was smaller in terms of exhibitors and attendees, the conversations I had were profoundly positive. First and foremost, the education program stood out with excellent seminars, engaging presenters, and highly involved audiences.
While the exhibit hall might have been slightly smaller compared to previous years, I spent a lot of time walking the floor and conversing with exhibitors asking about their experience—all of them, without exception, had a positive experience. Though many wished for larger audiences, they all agreed that they interacted with specifiers and decision makers on a more personal level. There’s always room for improvement, but one thing remains clear: LightFair’s success hinges on increased participation from exhibitors and attendees alike.
Such personal connections are invaluable in our industry, as they foster collaboration and innovation. Looking ahead, it’s essential for us to encourage greater participation and commitment from the specification community to ensure the continued growth and success of LightFair.
Here is my ask of the specification community: every time a manufacturer comes to your office to showcase their products, ask the question, “Will you be at the next LightFair?” If it’s one of the larger manufacturers, take one more step, and express your genuine disappointment if they did not attend the previous event.
“Both the IES and IALD benefit from LightFair—this is our industry, and we should collectively champion its success.”
We’ve all heard complaints about the cost of exhibiting, yet much smaller manufacturers attend with pride. No one is asking for huge booths; we simply want to see your latest products and interact with your wonderful staff. Both the IES and IALD benefit from LightFair—this is our industry, and we should collectively champion its success.
Looking ahead, I trust that the Messe Frankfurt team has gathered valuable insights from their first experience managing the show, which will make the 2027 show even more remarkable. Next month, IES25: The Lighting Conference takes place from August 23 to 25. I am looking forward to attending the event and seeing many of my friends and colleagues. If you haven’t made plans to attend, the time to do so is now.
IES25 promises unparalleled education content, offering an opportunity to keep up with new developments in the art and science of illumination, presented by the best and brightest (no pun intended) minds in our industry. This year’s event includes 22 CEUs, featuring 64 speakers, and (at the time of this writing) around 500 attendees, including designers, engineers, manufacturers, agents, researchers, and special guests. Attendees can explore a tabletop exhibit area featuring 32 manufacturers, as well as a re-imagined Industry Progress Report that enhances value for submitters and fosters greater interaction with recognized products. Plus, the Anaheim location is ideal for a family trip, with eight nearby amusement parks and more than 60 museums within 100 miles.
Finally, I want to revisit the topic of mentoring, which I discussed in my January column. Mentoring is vital, yet many of us are unsure how to effectively share our expertise. We lack a set of “best practices” for mentoring that could be disseminated across our local sections. So, let’s start the conversation. Are you a mentor or a mentee? What worked and what didn’t? How did the experience benefit you? The speed mentoring program we have conducted at the annual conference and via the local sections is always successful. However, we might gain even more from longer-term mentoring programs. I want to hear from you. Please email me at president@ies.org and share your thoughts.
Together, we can shape a brighter future for our industry, and I look forward to the memories we will make at IES25.