Forecast Calls for a Strong IES25: The Lighting Conference

IES25 The Lighting Conference
IES25 The Lighting Conference

A Strong IES25 Forecast: What We Like and What to Expect

ES25: The Lighting Conference lands at the Anaheim Marriott from 21–23 August. Over the weekend, IES CEO and Executive Director Colleen Harper told your humble editor that registration is above budgeted goals and could approach 500. The program also looks strong as you can read below. IES has issued an attendee update, and we’ve folded the key details and our recommendations below.

Historically the Annual Conference has run a deficit, but breaking even is essential this year—and, based on current momentum, it appears poised to do better than that.

Getting Oriented

  • Venue: Anaheim Marriott, 700 West Convention Way, Anaheim, CA 92802. Check-in 16:00 / check-out 11:00. All programming is on the first-floor meeting level (Platinum and Elite ballrooms).
  • Dates: Thursday–Saturday, 21–23 August 2025.
  • Registration desk: Platinum Pre-Function. It opens at 08:00 on Wednesday, 20 August for tours and early arrivals.
  • Parking: Self-parking $38/day; valet $48/day. EV charging is available.

Before You Leave Home

  • Dress: Cocktail or formal attire for the Illumination Awards Gala. Business casual for sessions.
  • Comfort: Bring a light jacket. Meeting rooms can be cool.
  • App: Download the IES25 app for schedules, room locations, and real-time updates. Join with code IES25LC, then log in using your conference email and the temporary password from IES.

Wednesday, 20 August — Tours and Early Arrivals

  • Tour of Vast Space & Haven-1 (15:00–18:00): This limited-capacity tour visits Vast Space, developer of the Haven-1 private space station module. Attendees must be U.S. citizens or green-card holders. Meet at Platinum Registration at 15:00. Separate registration is required.

Thursday, 21 August — Workshops and the Kickoff

Thursday is hands-on. Separate registration and fees apply for workshops.

  • Hands-on workshops (08:00–12:00 / 13:00–17:00):
    • Let’s Talk About DALI (AM): Practical wiring, addressing, and commissioning.
    • Realtime Lighting Workshop (AM).
    • Omnidirectional HDR Photography (PM).
    • Advanced Daylight Analysis and Revit-Integrated Workflow (PM).
  • Emerging Professionals Workshop (08:00–17:00): A full-day program for students and EPs.
  • Leadership Forum (08:00–15:00): Section leaders share tools, skills, and best practices.
  • Industry Progress Report (17:00–17:15): A concise review of accepted products and innovations.
  • Tabletop Reception (17:15–19:00): Meet 30+ manufacturers and frame questions for Friday.
  • Opening Night Reception & Society Awards (19:00–21:00): Networking and recognition for the Medal Award, Louis B. Marks Award, Distinguished Service, Fellows, and Board acknowledgements. The IES Medal Award will be presented to Kevin Houser, FIES, for meritorious technical achievement that advances illuminating engineering. The Louis B. Marks Award—named for the Society’s first president—honors exceptional non-technical service; this year it goes to Charles E. “Chip” Israel, FIES.

Friday, 22 August — Keynote, Exhibits, and Gala Night

  • Opening General Session & Keynote: Imagineering Light: Storytime with Show Lighting. Walt Disney Imagineers Jason Badger, Lesli Bjork, and Randy Fox share how show lighting tells stories around the world. Sponsored by ETC.
  • Tabletop Exhibits: Lunch & Exhibits 12:30–14:00, plus open hours 15:00–17:00.
  • On our radar:
    • Lessons Learned from Light Justice Projects: Neha Sivaprasad and Edward Bartholomew share community-centred design takeaways.
    • Tech Meets Design: How AI is Reshaping the Lighting Industry: Brian Stacy (Arup) and Dr. Forest Flager (Parspec) explore how LLMs and digital tools transform concepting, documentation, procurement, and on-site execution. Flager outlines what AI can do now and what’s next. Stacy adds a 25-year perspective on how these tools will reshape specification across major projects. 
  • Illumination Awards Gala & After Party (18:30–22:30): The 52nd IES Illumination Awards take place Friday evening at the Anaheim Marriott, with Acuity Brands as sponsor. Gala tickets are included in most registrations, and a limited number of single tickets will be available.

Saturday, 23 August — Research, Well-Being, and Roundtables

  • Research spotlights: Expect work that can impact practice soon. A highlight explores a 3D-printed optic for museum luminaires that tightens beam control and supports conservation-minded spectra. Nadarajah Narendran of the LRC and Kai-Di Peng, an intern at Lighting Services Inc., will present.
  • Salutogenic Lighting Design: This session links intent, metrics, and specific design actions. IES Board member Amardeep M. Dugar is the speaker.
  • “Lighting is Too Hard: A Creative Brainstorming Session” (11:00–12:30): A roundtable supported by NLB and Lighting Agora. It surfaces product and process pain points and outlines practical next steps the industry can act on.
  • Lunch & Exhibits (12:30–13:30).
  • Posters and technical papers continue through the afternoon.

New This Year — Lighting eSports Tournament

  • Lightmatter Speedrun Challenge and Portal 2 Puzzle Gauntlet: A playful, problem-solving twist. Sessions run Thursday 15:00–17:00 and Friday 11:00–18:00, sponsored by SCI Lighting Solutions. Please check the app for final brackets.

Final Tip

Plan Thursday for hands-on learning, target Friday for exhibits and the Gala, and use Saturday to absorb research and join the roundtable. With a little preparation, your IES25 experience will run smoothly—and, ideally, deliver more value than ever.

Now, more than ever, it’s important to support the Society that supports us!

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