There is something quite special about the IES Progress Report Committee. First, it has 32 active members, making it one of the largest IES committees. Next, it has long-term members like Paula Ziegenbein with 26 years, Boyd Corbett, Chair, with 32 years, and John Green at 34 years. Third, there is an intangible component that separates it from other IES committees, and most other lighting groups. That intangible is FUN!
While some of us might have to stretch to say our industry alphabet soup of organizations is “enjoyable”, very few of us can say with a straight face that it is actually fun. This is what makes Progress so successful, and no other committee has personality like Progress.
The humor is always good, but this year was better. More bold. Maybe it was because we were in Orlando, as opposed to other great destination cities like Indianapolis (2015) and Portland (2017). Maybe it was because we are in an election year. Bruce Belfer’s ad-libbed impersonation of Donald Trump was spot-on. “You get anything you want. You can relamp them whenever you want. Sometimes you can grab them by the power supply and they don’t mind.” Belfer’s impression of Trump seemed a little too natural….
There was a parody on the AMA and their Blue Light Hazard where the DNA of a dinosaur was crossed with the DNA of Nancy Clanton. There was a Howard Brandston T-Rex that was lured away with incandescent bulbs. While it has been four months since AMA wrote their letter stunning our industry, we commend the Progress Committee for a response. Perhaps now other IES committees will follow their lead. (Watch this space in December for a detailed AMA update.)
There was a Human Centric Debate between Pinocchio and Ms. Cruella DeVil and I will allow the readers to decide which candidate was which. One hint. Pinocchio was very upset over the all the Illegal Illuminants as well as the Affordable Color and Controls Act. Curella was responsible for 33,000 missing puppies.
Pinnocho wanted to secure all borders and pictures of Taco Bell, On the Border, Borders bookstore, South of the Border, flashed on the screen.
Cruella stated that Pinnocho had not paid taxes in many years—and there was a quick cut to a DLC logo. Not sure if the designers got this one, but the manufacturers groaned as they are painfully familiar with taxes paid to DLC. These quick and subtle digs are what make the Progress Report so brilliant.
They touched on some very controversial discussions. Pinnochio: “Your color temperature is decided at creation.” Cruella: We have come too far with color choice. I will defend tunable white, I will defend the luminaire’s rights.
Your humble editor laughed out loud several times as did the vast majority of the audience. The Progress Report is to be commended for mixing local, political and industry humor while breaking up the excitement of the new products. By far, this is the funnest 60 minutes in Lighting.
