A Bright Start in Tucson: IALD Enlighten Americas Kicks Off Strong
It’s a great day in Tucson!
The IALD Enlighten Americas kicked off last night with a lively welcome party hosted by AXIS Lighting. Attendance was strong, and the atmosphere was genuinely fun. A few attendees experienced flight delays due to the government shutdown, but fortunately, no cancellations were reported.
Growing Appreciation for Good Lighting
Two separate conversations revealed a shared optimism: society is finally beginning to appreciate the power of good lighting.
In one discussion, two lighting designers spoke about the surge of multi-family projects in their portfolios. The consensus was clear—developers in this sector no longer treat lighting as an afterthought. “Multi-family developers finally see the value of good lighting,” one designer said. Both agreed that society now recognizes lighting’s emotional and experiential impact. “People go to Disney World and they see and feel that magic—and much of that magic is lighting,” another designer noted. “Now they want that same feeling in their own homes.”
Lighting Awareness Grows
A second conversation, between a lighting design firm CEO and a former designer, echoed the same sentiment. They observed that public awareness of lighting has grown dramatically in recent years. COVID-19 and endless Zoom calls unexpectedly taught people how much illumination affects appearance and mood.
Both discussions ended on a hopeful note. There’s still room for improvement, but momentum is moving in the right direction. Consumers may not yet grasp every nuance of design, but they now recognize the difference between good and bad lighting—and that distinction matters.
USAI was the first to get their display set up at IALD Enlighten Americas 2025
A Full Day Ahead
Today’s schedule is packed as the IALD Enlighten Americas Conference officially gets underway. The morning begins with the Business Owner’s Forum, led by IALD President Andrea Hartranft, a session that always draws a strong crowd and lively discussion.
Later, DALI will host a session on controls—an area that continues to evolve quickly—followed by the always energetic LIRC meeting, where some of the industry’s most engaged minds will gather.
Strong Attendance and Steady Growth
The day will conclude with the President’s Reception, sponsored by Cooper Lighting, giving attendees a chance to relax and reconnect. Attendance this year appears consistent with last year, and exhibitor participation has reached its cap. The event is also expected to end with a financial surplus—a positive sign of the conference’s continued health and momentum.
Be sure to check your inbox for the October edition of designing lighting magazine. We’re also distributing the print edition here at the conference.