The Designers Lighting Forum of New York (DLFNY) held its annual solid-state lighting (SSL) tradeshow, LEDucation, last week in New York City at the New York Midtown Hilton. Marking its 12th year as one of the country’s largest LED-only tradeshow and educational forum, nearly 6,000 attendees from all regions of the U.S. and Canada attended the two-day event.
LEDucation offered multiple tracks of AIA accredited seminars and panel discussions related to SSL and the challenges faced by lighting designers, architects, interior designers, and manufacturers. A lineup of 32 seminars, which included nine panels, was presented by industry experts. Presentations covered a variety of topics, from evolving design trends and the latest in protocols and code compliance, to smart exterior lighting and healthcare requirements.
“These lectures are attended by the best and brightest in the business of illumination. As a speaker, the most satisfying feedback is hearing ‘What’s next?’ ” notes Shaun Fillion, Program Director for MPS-L Lighting Design at the New York School of Interior Design. “LEDucation provides a wonderful platform to share new studies and information.”
With 362 exhibits, the sold-out show’s format allowed attendees to examine the latest LED luminaires and related lighting from 287 manufacturers.
“LEDucation is an outstanding show,” says Ann Schiffers, Senior VP/Sales, USAI Lighting. “It attracts top industry designers and specifiers. We are able to spend quality time with them and receive their valuable feedback.” Mark Sieber, President of Erco agrees, adding, “The depth of design talent that attends the show is astonishing.”
New this year, LEDucation became a supporting association to 40 under 40 North America which celebrates the exceptional achievements of forty young designers from North America, and to Next Generation Luminaires (NGL), which encourages technical innovation and promotes excellence in the design of energy-efficient LED luminaires for commercial, industrial, and institutional applications.
Proceeds from LEDucation contribute to a variety of grants, scholarships, and lighting programs to New York City colleges such as Parsons School of Design, the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and NYSID, in addition to other related lighting educational endeavors.
Since 2006, the Nuckolls Fund for Lighting Education has received significant financial support from the DLFNY from proceeds derived from LEDucation. The Nuckolls Fund is an endowment fund in support of college-level programs that inspire students with an understanding of light in architecture. Each year, the Fund solicits proposals from colleges and universities for innovative educational ideas consistent with the Fund’s objectives and awards grants after rigorous review.
“Once again, this show is the premier destination for all things LED, and the DLFNY is thrilled with the outcome of this year’s show,” says LEDucation Co-Chairs Caroline Rinker and Burt Grant. “LEDucation continues to stimulate and develop creative ideas and solutions to positively impact the LED industry and lighting education. We thank our speakers, exhibitors, attendees, sponsors, and volunteers who helped make it a successful event.”
LEDucation 2019 will be held March 12 and 13, 2019.
