FPL Energy LED Lighting

LED Lighting: That’s a Bright Idea! By BOB HORSWOOD, Director, LED Lighting Solutions

Stylishly designed LED lighting is an environmentally friendly energy solution that can bring huge savings to your property, enhance the look and feel of common spaces and provide additional safety and security.

The benefits of switching to LED include: » Durability: LEDs can last for 50,000 hours or longer with the addition of smart controls. » Efficiency: Energy savings can reach up to 50 percent compared with conventional technologies. » Controllability: Choose the best light color, intensity and direction for your space.

Outdoors, parking lots and area lighting present unique challenges. Not only can outdoor lighting be a strain on the operations budget (especially with longer hours in fall and winter months), the luminaires also need to complement the existing landscape and require 24/7 maintenance services to ensure they provide a continuous sense of safety and security. Outdoor LEDs offer improved visibility for pedestrians and traffic, as well as reduced light pollution and maintenance requirements.

While outdoor lighting is often focused on security, indoor luminaires create the environment, set the mood and enhance the experience. In fact, LEDs have been shown to improve mood. Combining them with smart controls allows lighting levels to change in response to ambient conditions, resulting in even greater savings.

Although LEDs bring many benefits, buyers need to be wary of some pitfalls: » All LEDs are not created equal — the manufacturer matters! Look for a top tier manufacturer with a reputation for quality products. High-quality lights mean longer life and less maintenance.

» Many new companies promise long warranties, but they have no track record or business history. Choose a reputable supplier with at least five years in business. » Select a licensed engineering firm and general contractor to ensure high-quality design and responsible installation in line with local code requirements.

The right lighting does more than affect the way we see our environment; it affects our emotions, sense of safety and comfort. Keep these tips in mind and choose a partner you can trust to install beautiful, energy-efficient LEDs for your property.

Bob Horswood is Director, LED Lighting Solutions for FPL Energy Services, an unregulated subsidiary of Florida Power & Light Company (FPL). For more information, call (561) 681-3037, visit FPLES.com/commercial-lighting, or email Robert.Horswood@fpl.com.

Clarion Events Food & Beverage Group has announced that the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show/Healthy Food Expo will be canceled due to the impact COVID-19 has had on the industry

The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show /Healthy Food Expo Florida, was scheduled to take place September 22-23, 2020 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.

“We have seen the impact COVID-19 has had on the food and beverage industry, and our hearts are with our friends and colleagues. We are saddened and disappointed we have to cancel our industry events. However, in light of both government direction and general public health advisories, we believe it is not possible at this time for a safe public gathering,” said Tom Loughran, Vice President for the Clarion Events Food & Beverage Group. “With the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and Florida’s state government-issued State of Emergency orders, we have put the health, safety and well-being of our team, customers, partners, family and friends above all other priorities.

“In the meantime, we continue to be committed to providing operators and the overall restaurant, foodservice, catering and coffee/tea industry with tools to connect and rebuild their business. We are pleased to continue to support the marketplace with our COVID-19 Resource Center, an online platform providing access to both uniquely produced education focused on operators’ most relevant needs, along with aggregated industry education, plus association resources, industry links and more.”

For updated information, and to stay connected and educated, visit our Restaurant & Foodservice Industry Resource Page and our Specialty Coffee Industry Resource Page.