Back from the Abyss

IALD Scores at Enlighten Americas

By Randy Reid

"This feels like the most back-to-normal event that I have attended since Covid."

— Carla R. Bukalski, Current

Personally, I have been worried about the well-being of IALD since the pandemic zapped their largest source of revenue— LightFair. While IES had strong reserves that have seen them through, IALD was in a more precarious position. Both organizations have had to make tough but necessary financial decisions.

IALD CEO Christopher Knowlton with President Monica Luz Lobo

Monica Luz Lobo, IALD president, discussed financial planning that began in 2020. They went from 20+ staff in a nice office in downtown Chicago to a staff of 6—all working remote. But, finally, in-person events are returning, and IALD can count the recent Enlighten Americas conference as a major success. Guests were treated to an awe-inspiring keynote address by award-winning sculptor Janet Echelman, as well as the induction of two lauded professionals into the IALD College of Fellows: Steve Brown, FIALD, FIES, CLD of Australia, and Ulrike Brandi, FIALD, CLD of Germany.

Standing ovation during Janet Echelman’s keynote presentation

What made the conference meaningful? There was open discussion about challenging issues facing lighting designers. Conferences are often designed with feel-good subjects, and extra effort is made to avoid controversial topics. Not at this conference. They were embraced and openly discussed.

Business of Light

Business of Light (BOL) has replaced the Business Owner’s Forum. David Ghatan (CM Kling & Associates) explained that Business of Light offered education and workshops, reinforcing and improving the industry, and not competing against the IALD but rather complementing it. BOL was launched to honor Barbara Horton and Stephen Lees, who built a legacy as lighting design leaders and who developed a culture of business practices to mentor HLB’s next generation. Steven Rosen (Available Light, Inc.) discussed its goals:

◆ Educate, Support, Mentor

◆ Empower

◆ Grow and Lead

◆ Elevate

◆ Provide a Global Vision

Chip Israel (Lighting Design Alliance) presented the topic of diversification, discussing the importance of finding and retaining younger, more diverse professionals. BOL can teach the business of light and the importance of mentoring, citing Leslie Wheel and Howard Brandston as role models.

Carrie Hawley (HLB Lighting Design) explained her mentoring by Barbara Horton and Stephen Lees. Carrie spoke of an upcoming webinar featuring Ian Motely of Blue Turtle Consulting. Register at businessoflight.org.

Several of the Business of Light Board of Directors

Jennifer Armstrong, founder and coach at Bright Chirp, collaborated with BOL on this forum. Her session was entitled, “Leaders as Coaches—The Art and Science of Coaching Successful Teams.” There was an additional fee for this event, which was sold out with a waiting list. I counted 46 participants.

Jennifer commented on the difference between coaching and mentoring, and her first point, that “coaching, typically, is not about you,” resonated well with the audience. She defined coaching, contrasting it with mentoring, and provided numerous coaching techniques. There were breakout sessions afterwards, and the audience was well-engaged.

LIRC

Formed in 1996, the Lighting Industry Resource Council (LIRC) provides a framework within IALD for enhanced communication between professional lighting designers and manufacturers.

Lisa Reed (Reed Burkett Lighting Design) opened her discussion, asking the audience if they knew they had a DEIR advocacy group. She called on the big companies who have great DEIR programs to share best practices with smaller lighting designers. She was joined by Archit Jain (Oculus Light Studio). Lisa encouraged, “Be the person who breaks the cycle.” Her vision statement: “Lighting professionals collectively thrive when they are valued for their authentic selves. Together, the IALD and LIRC inclusively welcome designers and manufacturers who are passionate about quality lighting. We strive to spark that passion in others through advocacy and outreach.”

Dan Darby took the stage to speak about LightFair. He boldly stated, “We are on the verge of producing the best LightFair the industry has seen.” He talked about inclusivity, emphasizing that everyone has a voice at LightFair. He discussed opportunities for more education and networking. On-floor activities planned for 2023 include:

◆ IALD Designery—the stage and networking area, formerly “The Designery.” It houses IALD’s booth/ networking/education opportunities.

◆ IALD Immersive Lighting Installations—20 x 20 booths, open to manufacturers to display products in an experiential setting with a design competition judged by IALD. Details regarding submission requirements to be released early November.

◆ IES Live—will replace LightFair Live, which is an opportunity for partner associates and will host on-floor educational content and networking events curated by IES.

◆ The Collective—a dedicated area for LIRC and IES Sustaining members

◆ 10 x 10 and 10 x 20 options

◆ Booth packages - $5200 for 100 sq. ft.

◆ The Collective will be 3X the size of the 2021 Collective and is adjacent to the Design Pavilion.

Dan reminded the audience that IES and IALD are co-owners and benefit financially from the show and that IALD members and IES members will not have a registration fee. Following his talk, the group broke up into sections and gave strong advice to Dan and his team.

Luxury Residential Lighting Design Forum

Thomas Paterson (Lux Populi) was the moderator, and Anne Kustner (AKLD) and Sean O’Connor (Sean O’ Connor Lighting) were panelists for the Luxury Residential Lighting Forum. On 6 SEP, we posted a controversial article by Thomas Paterson on designinglighting.com. Thomas called out Lutron and its business practices in the residential market. He questioned why Lutron only made their EcoSystem drivers available to one lighting manufacturer. That one manufacturer is Ketra—owned by Lutron. Crestron, Legrand, Lutron, and Savant were invited to the Forum.

While Lutron was called to account for their business practices, the door was opened for Lutron and its competitors to pitch their case for how they meet the needs of the community. This writer believes that the purpose of the meeting was to have Lutron publicly explain their business practices; having three other competitors on stage made the goal less obvious. Having all four manufacturers proved a great decision. The playing field was leveled for each of the companies to pitch on merit. It was a controversial yet informative discussion.

On the last day of the conference, there was discussion around requiring CEUs for future IALD membership. That discussion was not well received by the audience.

This was a successful conference, with about 425 attendees by my count, and no one was unhappy. IALD Enlighten Americas returns November 2023 in Banff, Alberta, Canada. Early information regarding speaking opportunities, sponsorship, volunteering, and general attendance will be released soon on the IALD website as well as designinglighting.com ■