LightFair invites lighting thought leaders to apply to present at its 2021 Conference, May 16-20, 2021 in New York. In addition to reaching the broad range of lighting professionals at LightFair, the 2021 conference has the added significance of joining NYCxDESIGN’s roster of design-focused events, panels and experiences. The application is open now and closes on September 14, 2020.
“The LightFair Conference is the hallmark educational event of the year for the lighting industry, where the best and the brightest come together to cultivate the collective body of knowledge for this ever-changing and technical field,” said Show Director Dan Darby. “The 2021 conference’s staging during NYCxDESIGN expands the impact of the content by making it a part of a global discussion on design.”
Proposals are invited for content in six tracks. Application + Evidence-Based Design focuses on methodologies and design trends used to enable project success in lighting. Art + Inspiration explores the sources of inspiration and technology developments that inform design. Design Tools + Techniques covers the means and methods designers use to bring ideas to fruition. Experiencing Light explores the influence of light on the human experience and nature. Professional Development + Practice focuses on the development and evolution of a career or company. Technology explores the design and specification of components and software that advance technology in the lighting industry. Additionally, LightFair welcomes submissions that defy categorization but are relevant to the lighting field. More information about each track is available in the application.
The conference features various learning durations, modalities, and levels. In-depth studies of topics will be presented as one-day courses, two-day courses and three-hour workshops and in shorter 60-minute, 90-minute and three-hour sessions. Learning modalities include: Experiential Learning, where participants are actively engaged with the session; Rapid Fire, with four presenters separately sharing big ideas on a related topic; Panel Presentations of up to four presenters delivering different views about a topic or project; Moderated Discussion, with a moderator leading a discussion or debate; a Tour of a local lighting installation or significant project and a traditional Lecture. Courses levels are designated as Foundational, Intermediate, Advanced and All Levels (full descriptions on the application website).
“LightFair is a brilliant forum for getting your message out and influencing the lighting industry,” said Naomi Miller, FIES, FIALD, designer/scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. “People at all levels and professions attend, and you are likely to get a wide audience with lively questions that stimulate thought, discussion, and sometimes congenial arm-wrestling!”
“Compared to the other national conferences I’ve spoken at, LightFair was much smoother and more supportive from start to finish,” added Doug Walter, AIA, NKBA, IES of Doug Walter Architects. “If you’ve never presented before, don’t let that stop you; put together a proposal and give it a try. If you are selected, they will coach you all the way through.”
Applications must be completed online at Lightfair.com/call-for-speakers. Applicants are asked to submit a title, description, learning objectives and biography.
