As the industry has proven for the past several years, it’s a really bright idea to get into lighting controls and fixtures. One of the chief ways to do so is by attending the annual Lightapalooza event.

Next year’s fourth annual event will be staged Jan. 20-23, 2025, at the Hilton Anatole Dallas. Like the previous installments of the event, Lightapalooza 2025 will have tons of education opportunities, and organizers have announced the wide-reaching tracks and sessions (panel discussions are still TBD).

Attendees can register and start perusing the curriculum that best suits their lighting needs and experience level. There will also be a strong power/energy presence again.

The six education tracks at Lightapalooza 2025 in Dallas, with descriptions per the website, are:

SHINE (Specialists in Home Illumination Natural Light and Energy Control) Lighting Certification

Designed for beginners, this 8-hour certification course dives into the technical aspects of lighting, performance fixtures, and control basics. Spread over two consecutive days with hands-on lab sessions, participants will gain practical experience to complement the in-depth lectures. Offered twice, attendees who pass the final exam will earn the Lightapalooza Lighting Fundamentals Certification.

2024 Lighting Controls and Fixtures Report

Lightapalooza took place in late February, and the growth of the event has mirrored the rapid ascension lighting fixtures and controls.

Download your copy now!

The track courses will be led by a handful of personnel from well-regarded lighting design firm Light Can Help You: Kim Davis, Jessica Doyle, Kelli Hernandez, Brady King, Mark Langston, Meghan Smith, and Alessio Urso. The group brings diverse backgrounds and expertise.

Lighting: Learn from Design Professionals

This delves into advanced lighting techniques and strategies. Participants will explore fixture selection, placement, and quality differentiation, while learning about human-centric lighting and scene-setting approaches. Through hands-on sessions and expert guidance, attendees will gain practical skills to defend their fixture choices, correctly space recessed lights, and illuminate artwork.

Light Can Help You Founding Designer David Warfel and Conceptual Lighting Owner Peter Romaniello will head up this track.

Academia Series

This new series introduces university professors and researchers offering cutting-edge insights into lighting design. Attendees will learn about topics such as circadian-effective lighting, the evolution of residential illumination, photometry, and the science behind optics. With a focus on both historical context and future innovations, this track provides a rare opportunity to learn directly from respected academic experts, ensuring participants gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to elevate their lighting projects.

This curriculum features presenters Greg Barrett, director of Product Management for Professional Lighting at Savant; Dr. Craig Bernecker, founder of The Lighting Education Institute and professor of Lighting Design & Director of the Masters of Fine Arts in Lighting Design program at Parsons School of Design; Jennifer Brons, program director, Light and Health Research Center, Mount Sinai School of Medicine;

Dr. Mariana Figueiro, professor and director, Light and Health Research Center, Mount Sinai School of Medicine; Dr. Kevin Houser, professor at Oregon State University, chief engineer at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, co-founder of Lyralux, Inc., and former editor-in-chief the journal of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES); and Amer Maleh, VP of Sales-Strategic Accounts at Delta Light Group North America.

Business Growth in Lighting & Beyond

Across five focused sessions, business owners will learn how to optimize sales processes, develop a growth-driven marketing plan, enhance financial efficiency, and streamline operations. Participants will also gain insights into building and retaining a high-performing team. This track equips attendees with actionable tools to boost profitability, improve business processes, and secure sustainable growth in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Considering the topic, Lightapalooza 2025 will deliver keen insights from industry business operations and marketing pros Matt Bernath (VITAL), Ron Callis (One Firefly), Jason Sayen (I Am Sayen), Bruce Clark (Kaleidolight Lighting Design), and Lynne Stambouli (Illumintated Design).

Power: Advanced Electrical & Fundamentals Track

This offers practical strategies for expanding your business in lighting, shading, and power management. Across five focused sessions, business owners will learn how to optimize sales processes, develop a growth-driven marketing plan, enhance financial efficiency, and streamline operations. Participants will also gain insights into building and retaining a high-performing team. 

Leaders will be Steve Girard, a licensed electrical engineer who works for Summit Technology Group in Santa Rosa, Calif., a leading company in renewable energy; and Larry Dashiell, who is the owner and CEO of Summit Technology Group.

Advanced Controls

Attendees will dive deep into topics such as solar power, battery backups, and generator systems, while mastering electrical fundamentals like voltage, current, and power types. Sessions will also cover renewable energy system design, providing practical guidance from concept to execution. The track equips integrators with the skills and confidence to design and implement efficient, reliable power solutions for residential projects.

Presenters are still TBA for this one.

Regarding individual sessions per track, see details at Lightapalooza 2025’s website. Additionally, various AIA/IDCEC CEUs can be earned during the conference.

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