CONTROLS

After twenty months of declining billings, the AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for October was 50.3. This score indicates a balance between the number of firms experiencing a decrease in billings and those seeing an increase. Although there was an increase in inquiries for new projects in October, clients are still cautious about moving forward. The value of new design contracts continued to decline for the seventh month in a row.

Read more

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) today added three new manufacturing companies to its membership and celebrated electroindustry achievements with the presentation of awards at the 2024 NEMA Annual Meeting. NEMA also highlighted individuals and companies for their leadership and contributions to the electroindustry.

Read more

ArchLIGHT Summit, the fastest growing lighting trade event and educational platform for the architectural, specification, and design communities, has opened a call for speakers and exhibitor registration. The fifth annual event, taking place Tuesday, September 16 and Wednesday, September 17, 2025, will welcome lighting designers, architects, interior designers, specifiers, and students to experience new products, network, and attend a wide range of accredited seminars, panels, and interactive experiences.

Read more

Dr. Shelley James joins us from across the pond. Dr. James strives to “build bridges between end users and lighting designers and specifiers and scientists and controls people.” She wanted to bring all these worlds together so much that she even learned to be an electrician. Her latest venture on the education front is a new podcast, “Thinking Differently About Lighting,” launching soon on the Get A Grip Network of podcasts.

Read more

This month, the electroindustry business confidence index current conditions component held steady at 69.2, reflecting continued improvement among industry stakeholders from a low of 46.7 points earlier this year. Thirty-eight percent of panel members reported that current conditions are “better,” while none indicated a decline, and 62 percent deemed the situation as “unchanged.”

Read more

The National Lighting Bureau is announcing the Call for Entries for the 6th Annual Tesla Awards. This program recognizes excellence in lighting projects that, through the creative use of lighting systems and controls, illustrate the value of lighting including but not limited to improved visual performance, promotion of health and wellness, positive environmental impact, enhanced safety and security, and increased overall occupant satisfaction. The program also provides recognition for creative solutions that overcome exceptional challenges or provide outstanding community benefit.

Read more

Yes, there is a market north of the border! The Toronto area is huge and deserves its own lighting show. Gaurav saw the opportunity and jumped on it all the way from India. With his company, MEX Exhibitions, he plans to “provide a platform for the lighting community to engage in meaningful dialogue and explore the future of smart lighting, LED technology, and design.” And he’s getting help from The Lighting Agora’s Tom Butters who is acting as the Knowledge Partner for the educational program. Spoiler alert – we’ll be there live streaming from the Get A Grip On Lighting booth!

Read more

Despite improving conditions in the broader economy, September marked the twentieth consecutive month of declining billings for architecture firms, according to the latest data from the AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI). The ABI score of 45.7 for the month indicates that the majority of firms continued to experience a decline in their billings. “Despite recent rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, many clients remain on the sidelines with regard to proceeding on planned projects,” said Kermit Baker, PhD, AIA Chief Economist.

Read more

Bruce “The Lighting Sherpa” is not a “lighting controls guy by definition, by pedigree or by training,” but he certainly sounds like one. He knows enough to warrant us bringing him back for a second appearance. He is a lighting designer, educator, consultant and coach. With Bruce, we discuss custom integration, future proofing, what HTA stands for, and the unholy communion lighting wafer. Bruce brings his passion, personality, and creativity to every encounter whether through clever design, consultation, or education.

Read more