This first article is based on conversations with Colleen Harper, IES’s Executive Director and CEO, held before, during, and after IES24, The Lighting Conference.
IES 2024 Annual Conference: A Breakthrough Event with Record Participation and Fresh Strategies
The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) hosted its 2024 Annual Conference, rebranded as IES24 The Lighting Conference, from 15-17 August at the New York Marriott Marquis. The rebranding proved highly successful, drawing over 500+ attendees, compared to about 400 in 2023. In fact, it was the largest turnout since the 2017 conference in Portland. During our discussion, Colleen Harper shared key strategic decisions that contributed to this success.
Record Attendance and the Thriving Emerging Professionals Meeting
This year, attendance levels reached new heights, underscoring the event’s significance within the lighting community. A standout aspect was the Emerging Professionals meeting, which attracted 90 participants, many of whom traveled from the West Coast. This impressive turnout highlights new professionals’ growing interest and commitment to engaging in high-quality content and networking.
Leadership Forum: Empowering Local Sections with Fresh Ideas
The Leadership Forum encouraged local sections to get creative with their schedules and activities. Colleen clarified that the sections could include any “community-building” events. Ideas were discussed on engaging locally and leveraging education opportunities offered by IES headquarters. Colleen noted, “We also explored how IES operates as a nonprofit, what the Board’s responsibilities are, and how sections work collaboratively with the staff.”
Gala Integration: A Strategic Sponsorship Boost
IES made a strategic move this year by including the Gala in most ticket packages. This change led to an approximate attendance of 400—double the usual number. The decision increased the Gala’s appeal and made it more valuable for sponsors, thanks to the expanded audience.
Tabletop Sales: An Unexpected Sell-Out
As IES turned the corner, one of the conference’s major wins was the complete sell-out of tabletop exhibits. This result is rare. Your humble editor has been attending IES conferences for 25+ years and cannot recall when tabletops were sold out. Strategic space management played a crucial role. The tabletops were placed behind movable walls on either side of the ballroom. For the Gala, the walls closed to hide the exhibits; during exhibit hours, they opened to showcase the displays. This clever setup maximized space and avoided the need for a separate exhibit room. This allowed IES a smaller footprint at the hotel, which saved money.
Improved Contract Negotiations and Room Block Success
Collen, with the help of GoGather, an event management company, successfully renegotiated the Marriott contract, securing better terms for IES. The room block met its total capacity for the first time in years, allowing IES to avoid penalties. Colleen mentioned, “We’re pleased with GoGather’s role this year, and we expect even better opportunities for negotiating contracts going forward.”
Notably, IES has shifted away from exclusive commitments to Marriott, which has increased competition and flexibility. This change allows the Society to explore other options while benefiting from more competitive offers.
Fresh Energy at IES 2024: A Personal Observation
This year’s conference stood out as the most successful in recent memory. One significant shift was the demographic—fewer older white men like myself, replaced by a younger, more diverse crowd. The energy felt different, and the average age seemed to drop by about ten years compared to previous events. Graham Kirk, the IES Director of Marketing & Business Development, mentioned that he estimated the attendee split to be evenly divided, about 50-50 between males and females. These shifts is a positive indicator for the industry’s future.
The results speak volumes—record attendance, a sold-out exhibit area, and increased engagement from emerging professionals all point to a bright future for IES25 The Lighting Conference. This event was more than just a return to form; it was a leap forward, setting a new benchmark for what industry conferences can achieve with strategic vision and effective execution.