Danville, VA – Lighting designers from across the globe will gather together July 25-28, 2023 for Sterling Lighting’s annual Danville Summit, an in-person conference focused on design and business growth for outdoor lighting professionals. Lighting designers and landscape lighting professionals can purchase discount tickets through June 30 at DanvilleSummit.com.
Sterling Lighting’s third annual summit in Danville, VA aims to help attendees hone their craft and make a game plan to elevate their designs and accelerate business growth. The event will include expert seminars at Averett University, hands-on workshops, and a two-night design challenge at Atkinson Farms. Women in lighting design will be celebrated as two pioneers in lighting design, Janet Lennox Moyer and Eleftheria Deko, speak on stage and mentor the Design Challenge teams.
Seminars and workshops will cover enhanced landscape lighting design techniques, actionable business growth tactics, digital marketing strategies, technological advances in lighting, and best practices for outdoor lighting installation and service.
The summit will begin with a welcome dinner on Tuesday, July 25, at Atkinson Farms and will conclude at noon on Friday, June 28 at Averett University.
An exciting and dynamic lineup of summit speakers is planned with world-renowned lighting designers, highly sought after experts, and industry leaders.
Key Speakers:
- Eleftheria Deko – Trailblazer in stage & architectural lighting design, Emmy Award Winner for “Outstanding Lighting Direction” for the 2004 Olympic Games ceremonies in Athens, Assistant Professor, and Lighting Designer for the Acropolis.
- Janet Lennox Moyer – Pioneer in landscape lighting design, Founder of the International Landscape Lighting Institute (illi), Author of The Landscape Lighting Book and The Art of Landscape Lighting: A Designer’s Companion.
- Jim “The Rookie” Morris – Former MLB pitcher and the real life inspiration for the Disney film, The Rookie.
Additional Speakers, Panelists, and Moderators:
- Patrick Harders – Co-Owner of Sterling Lighting, President of Enlightened Lighting, and Former illi Board of Directors Member.
- Damien Sanchez – Co-Owner of Sterling Lighting.
- Randy Reid – Editor of Designing Lighting and The Edison Report, Executive Director of the National Lighting Bureau, and Former Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) President.
- Chris Apfelstadt – Owner of Light Up Columbus and Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals (AOLP) Board Member.
- Chris Mitchell – Lighting Designer and Trainer for NiteLiter’s Inc., Experiential Landscape Lighting Initiative (ELLI) Advisory Board Member.
- Kevin Fontaine – President of Bolt Outdoor Lighting and Creative Director at Outdoor Inspirations.
- Chad E. Foster – Resilience Leader, Author, and Blind Black Diamond Skier.
- Corey Halstead – Marketing Expert and AOLP Member.
- Dan Ralphs – Smart Growth Business Coach and TEDx Speaker.
- Sharon Delaney McCloud – Emcee, Emmy Award Winning Broadcaster, Olympic Torch Bearer, and Past Speaker at the American Lighting Association conference.
Tickets are available for purchase at DanvilleSummit.com. The All Access ticket includes access to all seminars, meals, and participation in round table discussions and the popular two-night team design challenge. Use code DESIGN23 at checkout to get $250 off tickets now through June 30, 2023.
On Thursday, July 27 at 9:00 PM EDT, the general public is invited to view a special, one-night only lighting display and presentation to reenvision the nightscape at Atkinson Farms, Southside Virginia’s premier event venue. Guests will be able to view the lighting spectacles across the expansive property and hear the design teams present the challenges, solutions, and specific Sterling Lighting products used to achieve their final designs. Free tickets for the public to attend the Sterling Lighting Design Challenge Reveal Night are available on Eventbrite.
About Sterling Lighting
Sterling Lighting is a manufacturer of professional-grade, low voltage, landscape lighting fixtures sold exclusively to contractors and trade professionals. The company was founded in 2011 by landscape lighting professionals passionate about developing the perfect fixture, with both the contractor and homeowner in mind. Sterling Lighting luminaires merge the latest advances in LED technology with premium quality components and all the cutting-edge features a professional contractor could want. Their signature line of fully-dedicated and integrated fixtures, features high-grade materials, including marine-grade, virgin brass and 316 stainless steel, and innovative designs that result in better performance, longevity, and ease of installation. In 2021, Co-Owners Patrick Harders and Damien Sanchez strategically moved Sterling Lighting headquarters and main operations from Northern VA to Danville, VA to facilitate their continued growth in operations and manufacturing.
To learn more, visit Sterling-Lighting.com.
About Averett University
Since 1859, Averett University has grown and developed into a dynamic institution that serves students of all ages, offering more than 30 undergraduate majors, minors and special programs, along with 13 graduate programs with a number of concentrations. Dedicated to preparing students to serve and lead as catalysts for positive change, the University’s historic main campus is embedded in the heart of Southern Virginia with regional campuses throughout Virginia and online. Averett enrolls a diverse student body, and boasts an alumni network that spans the globe. Visit averett.edu for more info.
About Atkinson Farms
Atkinson Farms is Southside Virginia’s premier event venue, nestled in the countryside of Danville, Virginia, just minutes from North Carolina. Upon entering the venue, guests will notice the ornate gates and expansive view of the beautiful countryside. The property has hundreds of acres of well manicured fields, trails, woodlands, streams, and ponds, plus a spacious barn, stately lodge, and cozy cabin. Newly constructed in 2016, the Atkinson Barn is constructed from beautiful reclaimed wood beams from the American Tobacco Company and Dan River Cotton Mills. Guests may wind down the evenings and enjoy sunsets on the expansive covered porch, complete with beautiful landscaping and water features. Visit AtkinsonFarms.com to discover more about this impressive venue.