IES shifts from survival mode to growth with a 2026–2028 strategy covering international expansion, new membership models, and AI-powered standards access. IES26 restores the beloved Progress Report with skits and a Fixture Feud game show, and Signify faces an unusual role reversal as Dense Matrix files a patent infringement lawsuit targeting its Interact Indoor Navigation and Trulifi LiFi products.

IES26 presents Presidential Awards to Eric Lind, Jana Owens, Addie Smith, and Stephen Zhou, and recognizes Mark Lien, Leslie North, Shirley Coyle, Bob Davis, and Kevin Houser for distinguished service and technical achievement. PureEdge Lighting settles its patent lawsuit over recessed trimless track technology, and Cooper Lighting Solutions earns eight selections in the 2026 IES Progress Report — the most of any manufacturer and its 16th recognition in 18 years.

IES26 kicks off in Denver with a focus on community, mentorship, and inclusive membership across the global lighting industry. Mark Roush leads a roundtable with Dave DeLora and Naomi Miller on successes and failures — Dave's take: "You have to screw up deeply and badly. Then you have to recover. Then you're a professional." Plus, AI is reshaping luxury residential lighting design while raising questions about privacy, accuracy, and preserving human expertise.

Randy shares key takeaways from the IES Board of Directors meeting in Denver, including plans for sustaining members, the 2028 conference announcement, and the learning portal nearing 10,000 users. The IALD opens entries for its 2027 International Lighting Design Awards through 11 October, and Visa Lighting expands its Serenity ceiling luminaire family with nature-inspired biophilic designs for healthcare environments.

Messe Frankfurt expands Light + Intelligent Building North America's scope to attract building technology professionals and position lighting within smart building infrastructure. The NLB and NALMCO sign a five-year memorandum of understanding to advance lighting education, research, and professionalism, and P.Louise City in Manchester transforms retail with bold pink lighting and sculptural FlexSpace installations.

Genlyte Solutions supported more than 120 K–12 and higher education projects in Q2 2026, delivering lighting and controls across new construction and renovations. Aging LED systems are opening a new LED-to-LED retrofit market for contractors and lighting professionals, and Studio Lumen brings warm layered illumination to Dubai's Madinat Jumeirah, enhancing the resort's heritage and nighttime identity.

The judge in the Signify vs. Lepro case leaves the $410,000 award intact while rejecting Signify's request for treble damages and $4 million in attorney's fees — a result Randy suggests cost Signify more to litigate than it recovered. Meanwhile, AI is reshaping lighting controls by interpreting natural language and adapting to occupant preferences, and IES San Francisco hosts its Ciao to Summer networking event on 28 August.