Behind the Scenes at the IES Annual Conference

  • Rep discussions:  Acuity Brands Lighting Clarifies their position to EdisonReport
  • Behind the PHL vs NYC LIGHTFAIR 2013 decision
  • Society Awards
  • Progress Report
  • Illumination Awards
  • Success of the Conference

Acuity Brands Lighting Clarifies Rep Postions (EXCLUSIVE–Must credit EdisonReport.)

He heard several discussions regarding rep alignment, specifically with regards to Acuity Brands Lighting and their position.  After the show, we contacted Atlanta and a company spokesman told the EdisonReport, “Acuity Brands is committed to aligning with the industry’s best sales agencies, distributors, and other channel partners to increase channel value and to provide superior solutions for our customers.  We view Cree and its recently acquired companies as conflicting lines, and we believe it would not be possible for a sales agency to aggressively promote our full line of solutions at the same time as it represents any direct competitor, including Cree and its affiliates.“ 

“Our industry-leading solutions portfolio and our sales and service capabilities allow our agencies to win in the marketplace every day.  Channel partners, like customers, have choices.  Acuity Brands continues to invest heavily in training, technology and other capabilities to continue to be the partner of choice for our sales agencies, specifiers, and customers. “

LIGHTFAIR 2013 will be in Philadelphia:

  • The Decision had to be made by 7 NOV or LIGHTFAIR ran the risk of losing availability.
  • Javits Center may still be under construction in 2013 (this was the reason for moving the 2011 event to Philadelphia in the first place)
  • LIGHTFAIR surveys show attendees rated the Philadelphia event significantly higher than prior New York Events.
  • Some companies manage several LIGHTFAIR booths and they saw higher union labor costs in Philadelphia than in New York.  Several tradeshow managers are adamant about NOT going back to Philadelphia because of the excessive union labor costs.  When these managers saw the survey results, they were not as strongly against Philadelphia. Several meetings have occurred with attorneys to try to find a way to improve the union labor cost issues.
  • Philadelphia in 2011 drew the largest attendance ever with 24,000+.
  • The problem with hotel availability in Philadelphia can be easily resolved by not scheduling LIGHTFAIR during graduations.
  • If LFI continues to grow, then the 2015 show may be too big for Philadelphia and could go back to New York. Also subway lines should be running to Javits Center in 2015 which dramatically improves convenience. 

Society Awards:

  • Jody Good, Spectrum Engineers, Louis B. Marks Award (highest non-technical award of the Society)
  • Kimberly Mercier, Lighting Design Innovations, Distinguish Service Award
  • Thomas Scott, Winona Lighting, Distinguish Service Award
  • Randy Reid, LUXIM, Presidential Award

Progress Report:

This was the 100th anniversary of the Progress Report.  The Progress Report charges $50 per entry to be considered and this has to be one of the best bargains in the lighting industry. The Progress Committee mixes quick-witted humor—sometimes irreverent humor—with today’s latest products and services. 

One skit was a spoof on a credit card commercial where the caller was trying to use frequent flyer points and frustrated by the lack of customer service received from a man named ‘Peggy’, who has a distinct foreign accent.  The Progress Report skit was set to an unnamed product testing lab and various callers received the runaround from Peggy when checking on their reports.  This clearly resonated with the audience and with me personally.  Although the testing lab was unnamed, the EdisonReport has been quite critical of Design Lights Consortium.  In my humble mind, I picture Peggy as being in charge of all customer service at the DLC. 

Illumination Awards:

Very important work goes on behind the scenes for several months leading up to these awards.  However the presentation was a bit awkward as there was either a glitch with the equipment or with the rehearsal. However, the presentation should not reflect upon the good work of the judges or the award winners.  You can view the outstanding projects at the IES website.

Speaking of good work, in 2009 Nick Bleeker, Philips-DayBrite, helped turn around the Annual Conference.  In 2010, other improvements occurred, notably an increase in attendance and a strong financial improvement.  Under Kim Mercier, the 2011 Conference offered even more enhancements.  The point is that the Conference just gets better each year.  Also hats off to the site selection committee. While the Northeast was digging out of their Nor’easter, your industry leaders were in Austin enjoying 80-degree weather.  

 

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