Opening the Tent: Inside IES25’s Member-First Kickoff
IES25 The Lighting Conference opened with a bang—employees and volunteers laying out where the Society stands, what has changed, and how the work ahead ties back to members. The thread was consistent: serve the community, show the value, and run the organization responsibly.
Colleen Harper: Community, Value, and Fiscal Discipline
Executive Director and CEO Colleen Harper started with the people behind IES. The Society counts roughly 5,000 members across 57 countries, supported by 80 local sections, 400 education programs, more than 100 standards, 320-plus annual events, and 8,500+ e-learning users. Colleen emphasized why leaders get involved—growth, knowledge, and connections—and said IES should feel like a professional home rather than a transaction.
Still, budgets matter. Annual dues are $240, and members who fully use available benefits can realize more than $2,100 in value each year. Colleen then addressed operations. Historically, this conference ran a deficit; under her tenure, IES reworked events and committee meetings to be budget-neutral wherever possible. The Progress Report offered a visible example: more time at the tabletops and a streamlined presentation saved money while giving attendees hands-on access.
She also highlighted section activities—technical talks, tours, and collaborations with peer groups—and broader outreach through new MOUs. A revamped metal-tier structure for sustaining members clarified benefits and recognized the companies that keep the Society strong.
Mariel: Partnerships, Safety, and a Call to Action
DEI Chair Mariel Acevedo traced the committee’s origin to 2020 and summarized data-driven steps since then: membership surveys to understand participation, partnerships that produced Light Justice symposia, and coordination with the Illumination Awards to add an impact statement to judging. Mariel urged attendees to use available resources if they or their colleagues feel unsafe while traveling, and she asked members to advocate for responsible, equitable design in daily practice. “Acts of unity are important and necessary,” she said, inviting conversations at the advocacy table throughout the week.
Brienne Willcock: Standards That Travel Beyond the Technical Bubble
Senior Director of Education & Standards Brienne Willcock reframed standards for a broader audience: consensus-built, voluntary guidelines that raise confidence in design and verification. To help members communicate value outside the technical bubble, Brienne is rolling out accessible graphics and outward-facing materials that show how lighting touches everyday life.
She organized the standards universe into three buckets—education, methods/measurement, and application guidance—and encouraged emerging professionals to join committees. Looking ahead, Brienne previewed 2025 priorities around color, including expanded education on TM-30 and a forthcoming companion guide that helps specifiers apply concepts in real projects. A new “field measurement” committee will tackle the persistent gap between predictions and what teams measure on site. Brienne also recognized contributors whose leadership and technical work moved documents forward this year.
Randy Burkett: Targeted Research with Practice in Mind
Lighting designer Randy Burkett offered a brief McClung Foundation update. A recent MOU now aligns a long-standing foundation’s funded studies with IES priorities. One current project examines how luminance patterns influence nighttime discomfort-glare response—work aimed at clarifying thorny outdoor questions that affect public perception and practice. Randy invited the community to learn more, participate, and, when possible, support research that advances the profession.
Education Tied to Standards—and Built for Different Learners
Returning to the lectern, Brienne mapped the education pipeline: the journal and forum articles; Fundamentals of Lighting; symposia linked to RP- and TM-series documents; the growing e-learning portal; and reciprocal CEUs with allied organizations. Recent and upcoming programs span museum lighting, security, and sustainability, with a two-day virtual symposium on healthcare environments set for early November.
To reach new audiences, Brienne launched a 36-hour curriculum for manufacturer representatives in conjunction with NEMRA and upper levels require IES membership. She discussed “Prismatic,” a series of short, plain-spoken videos—seven minutes or less—on core topics. The aim is simple: broaden access, reinforce standards, and build shared language without diluting technical rigor.
The Takeaway
Overall, the opening session reflected a Society tightening its operations while expanding its reach. Attendees heard a consistent message: IES is aligning events with standards, investing in education and research that practitioners can use, and partnering widely to grow the tent. If the rest of the week follows that script, IES25 will show how disciplined stewardship and member value can move in lockstep.