NY Controlled Conference 2024: A Step Up in Lighting and Energy Efficiency
The 2023 NY Controlled Conference made a strong debut, but the 2024 event took things to another level. This year, organizers moved the show to the first floor of the Metropolitan Pavilion—a venue familiar to many in the lighting industry. This change made the event more accessible and easier to navigate. Additionally, the number of exhibitors grew from 39 to 47, and registration topped 850. By Tuesday afternoon, around 660 attendees had checked in, with 109 registering on the day of the event.
Several attendees remarked that the conference had a “startup” energy reminiscent of early LEDucation events. Exhibitors displayed products on tabletops, with some opting for back walls. The setup was straightforward, allowing exhibitors to wheel their equipment out the back door. Notably, there were no pallets or pallet jacks in sight—an impressive feat for a tradeshow.
Seamless Check-In Process
The check-in experience at NY Controlled was one of the smoothest I’ve encountered. Upon registration, attendees immediately received a barcode, followed by a reminder QR code at 7 a.m. on the day of the event. Upon arrival, scanning the barcode instantly produced a badge. This process was quick, efficient, and stress-free—just what you want in a tradeshow check-in.
Insightful Educational Sessions
I attended parts of two sessions from the seven offered. First was Chuck Cameron’s session, “Step Into the Light,” where he introduced the concept of “companion zones”—a new term for me. Cameron’s presentation was informative and practical, covering advanced lighting control strategies. The second session was “Rewriting the Future: Embracing DC for Lighting Systems” by Mike Montgomery. His presentation made a compelling case for DC power in lighting, emphasizing its many efficiency benefits.
Valuable Conversations: Chris Wolgamott and LLLC & HVAC
One of the highlights of attending live events is the chance to learn from informal conversations outside the sessions. I spoke with Chris Wolgamott from the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, who shared his innovative work integrating lighting and HVAC systems. Chris’s project, aims to enhance energy savings in commercial spaces through smart occupancy data. His team collaborates with MWConnect to advance this concept.
Chris explained how a simple LLLC & HVAC system can uses lighting fixtures embedded with sensors that communicate with the building’s thermostat. These sensors go beyond basic occupancy detection; they gauge activity levels, providing a proxy for people counting. For instance, if ten fixtures in a room have sensors and eight detect activity, the system knows the room is almost fully occupied. This data enables the thermostat to adjust for both comfort and energy efficiency.
Adaptive HVAC Controls
This system tailors HVAC settings based on real-time occupancy levels. When five to seven sensors detect activity, the thermostat raises the temperature by a degree or two to balance comfort and savings. With fewer sensors active, the system lowers the temperature even more to conserve energy. Conversely, if most sensors are active, the thermostat prioritizes comfort by keeping the temperature standard. The key advantage here is that it doesn’t need a centralized Building Management System (BMS) to work. This makes it a flexible and scalable solution for many buildings.
Lutron’s Notable Absence
One notable absence among the 47 exhibitors was Lutron, a company that had participated in the 2023 NY Controlled Conference. To understand why, I reached out to Eric Lind, Vice President of Strategic Commercial Accounts and Global OEM at Lutron. He provided the following statement:
“Lutron made a decision to focus our 2024 investments in four areas – 1) specific industry events such as LEDucation, the National IES conference, and the IALD Enlighten conference, 2) customer visits to our extensive experiential and collaboration facilities in NYC (where we have two) and around the country, and 3) a number of rep-specific tradeshows. The fourth area includes investments in our business infrastructure that will become more apparent in 2025 and beyond as Lutron continues to grow and enhance our ability to provide world-class service to our customers.”
An International Audience and Perfect Timing
The NY Controlled Conference drew attendees and exhibitors from across the globe, including Belgium, Canada, China, Germany, Mexico, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The event ran from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., which proved to be a well-balanced schedule. Exhibitors could set up, showcase, and break down all within the same day. However, I had hoped to see more lighting designers during the final 90 minutes of the event.
Looking Ahead to 2025
The success of the 2024 NY Controlled Conference sets high expectations for 2025. With growing attendance, expanded exhibitor participation, and high-quality sessions, the event is quickly solidifying its place in the lighting and energy efficiency industries. We look forward to seeing how it evolves next year!