IALD Enlighten Europe Ends on a High Note as Attendance Climbs and the Profession Looks Forward
PARIS — As IALD Enlighten Europe concluded in Paris, the mood among attendees was decidedly optimistic.
According to IALD CEO Christopher Knowlton, attendance increased compared to the 2025 event in Valencia, continuing the organization’s momentum and reinforcing the importance of in-person gatherings for the lighting design community.
The strong turnout was evident throughout the conference. Several presentations were standing-room only, and attendees frequently found themselves making difficult choices between sessions. With three educational tracks running simultaneously, some participants expressed frustration about missing presentations they wanted to attend. Yet that challenge reflected the conference’s greatest success: there was simply more quality content than any one person could consume.
For a professional conference, that is a good problem to have.
Carla Wilkins Pushes the Profession Forward
One of the week’s most important conversations took place during my interview with IALD President Carla Wilkins.
Carla made it clear that she sees a larger role for lighting designers within the design and construction process. Her vision is straightforward: qualified lighting designers should be viewed as essential members of every project team, standing alongside architects and engineers from the earliest stages of design.
She also continues to champion the Certified Lighting Designer (CLD) credential as a key tool for advancing professional recognition. Throughout the conference, discussions about certification, education, and professional development surfaced repeatedly. The message was consistent: as the profession seeks greater recognition, the CLD can help establish clear standards and communicate the value lighting designers bring to projects.
The conversation reflected a broader theme that emerged throughout the week. Lighting designers are no longer content to simply participate in projects. They want to help lead them.
Dean Skira Challenges Conventional Thinking
Few speakers challenged attendees to rethink long-held assumptions quite like Dean Skira.
During his presentation on street lighting and light pollution, Dean examined the tension between creating safe, vibrant cities and preserving darkness where it belongs. Drawing on decades of experience, he argued that the industry must move beyond simply replacing older fixtures with LEDs and instead rethink how cities approach outdoor lighting altogether.
His presentation explored the growing impact of sky glow, the importance of adaptive lighting strategies, and the need for smarter infrastructure. While many discussions about sustainability focus on energy savings, Dean encouraged attendees to consider the broader environmental consequences of lighting decisions.
The presentation generated significant discussion and reinforced the idea that lighting designers will play an increasingly important role in balancing human needs with environmental responsibility.
Strong Crowds at IALD Enlighten Europe 2026
Charles Stone Draws a Crowd
Conference attendance often thins as events reach their final hours. That was not the case for Charles Stone.
Despite being scheduled near the end of the conference, Charles delivered one of the most well-attended sessions of the closing day. His presentation traced the evolution of lighting design over the past 25 years and explored how growing awareness of impacts on flora, fauna, and dark skies has changed design practice.
Charles also examined how the widespread adoption of LED technology has transformed both opportunities and responsibilities for lighting designers. Using project case studies and recent work related to outdoor lighting codes, he highlighted how designers are increasingly being asked to balance aesthetics, performance, sustainability, and community concerns.
The strong turnout demonstrated that even after several days of education and networking, attendees remained eager to engage with thoughtful discussions about the future of the profession.
A Profession That Continues to Evolve
If there was one takeaway from Enlighten Europe 2026, it was that the lighting design profession continues to evolve.
Attendees discussed artificial intelligence, sustainability, professional certification, business development, regulation, and education. They debated how much knowledge should be shared openly in an era of AI. They explored ways to attract younger professionals into leadership roles. And they examined how lighting designers can strengthen their influence within the broader design community.
Most importantly, they did so in packed rooms filled with engaged participants.
The conference demonstrated that the appetite for professional development remains strong. It also showed that lighting designers are thinking beyond fixtures and controls. Increasingly, they are focused on advocacy, leadership, and defining the future of their profession.
As attendees departed Paris and returned home, they left with new ideas, new connections, and renewed energy. For IALD, the increased attendance and strong engagement suggest that Enlighten Europe continues to grow in both size and influence.
That growth was on full display in Paris.
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