Axis Tequila Party Sets the Stage for the IALD Enlighten Americas Conference
The IALD Enlighten Americas Conference at Rancho Bernardo Inn kicked off with a lively Tequila Party, sponsored by Axis Lighting. This pre-conference event was a perfect way to break the ice, featuring delicious bites like bacon-wrapped scallops and Crème Brûlée. The event set a welcoming tone, encouraging attendees to connect before the conference sessions.
Shoshanna Segal and Shanna Snow of Hartranft Lighting Design
A Full House with International Guests
IALD CEO Chris Knowlton announced that the conference had sold out at 450 attendees. However, he noted that additional guests showed up without registering in advance, pushing the count beyond 450. This high turnout highlights the conference’s appeal, drawing participants from across the globe. Among them, Ivica Jekić, Business Development Director at LED Luks, traveled the longest distance, journeying from Slovenia.
Spotlight on Emerging Talent and Unique Opportunities
Craig Bernecker shared details about the Parsons Studio I reviews, scheduled for 24 October. He also mentioned Pro Tango, an innovative, reverse-style job fair set for February. Unlike traditional job fairs, Pro Tango allows students to showcase their lighting designs to employers, who then choose candidates to interview. This setup provides emerging designers a unique opportunity to stand out.
Bios Lighting Hosts Happy Hours for Conference Attendees
Robert Soler of Bios Lighting, located 18 miles from the conference venue, extended an invitation to attendees for happy hour events on Friday and Saturday. These sessions will offer a sneak peek into the next chapter of Bios Lighting’s work. For more information, attendees can reach out to Robert at Rsoler@bioslighting.com.
Anne Kustner and John Haser
Connecting with Industry Leaders
The conference also gave me a chance to catch up with John Haser and Anne Kustner of AKLD. Anne shared that her business is thriving, and we reminisced about a memorable dinner together at the Light + Building event in Frankfurt.
Celebrating Award-Winning Projects
I had a great conversation with Diane Borys about her recent project, Fox Point Farms, which earned a spot on the cover of the August issue of designing lighting (dl) magazine. Diane was recently honored with a local award from the San Diego Architectural Foundation for this project, a well-deserved recognition of her talent and hard work.
Seeking Stories for Future Issues of Designing Lighting
Throughout the event, I enjoyed casual conversations with lighting designers about their projects. We are always on the lookout for outstanding content for designing lighting (dl) magazine, and events like this provide the perfect opportunity to discover inspiring stories.