Industry News

Furthering its mission of exploring and presenting the power of lighting in design, 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 the country’s largest LED-only tradeshow and educational forum, nearly 6,000 attendees from all regions of the US and Canada attended the two-day event.

Renowned for its continuing education conference, 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 comprehensive lineup of 32 seminars, which included nine panels, was presented by industry experts from across the lighting industry. Presentations covered everything from evolving design trends, the latest protocols and code compliance, smart lighting, controls, exterior lighting and healthcare requirements.

“LEDucation lectures are attended by the best and brightest in the business of illumination.  As a speaker, the most satisfying feedback questions are ‘What’s next?’” said Shaun Fillion, program director for MPS-L Lighting Design at the New York School of Interior Design (NYSID). “It’s a wonderful opportunity to share new studies and information.”

Sold out for the 12th year in a row with 362 exhibits, the show’s format allowed attendees to examine the latest LED luminaires and related lighting from 287 manufacturers.

“LEDucation is an outstanding show,” said Ann Schiffers, senior vice president specification 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 couldn’t agree more. He states, ”The depth of design talent that attends the show is amazing!”

Enabling the DLFNY to further its mission of supporting lighting education, 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. 

This year, Matt Franks, president of DLFNY was honored and pleased to announce, “The Nuckolls Fund has chosen to advance its grant schedule to reveal its 2019 recipients at next year’s LEDucation.”

Also 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 promote excellence in the design of energy-efficient LED luminaires for commercial, industrial, and institutional applications.

“Once again, LEDucation is the premier destination for all things LED, and the DLFNY is thrilled with the outcome of this year’s show,” said LEDucation Co-Chairs Caroline Rinker and Burt Grant. “The show 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 the show a successful event.”

LEDucation 2019 will be held March 12 and 13, 2019.

To learn more about LEDucation, please visit LEDucation.org.