IESNYC Events

Illuminating Equity Drag Lighting Trivia Night 

May 28th. Bedazzle your thinking cap, grab your singles, and get ready for an evening of Drag and Lighting Trivia to kick off Pride month! A local NYC drag queen will emcee and perform between rounds of challenging lighting trivia. Because who understands cutthroat competition and spectacle better?  DETAILS/REGISTER

NextGen Presents: A Slice of Light

May 29th. Wear your favorite "light" outfit and come grab a slice and a beverage or two. Relax and mingle with lighting industry professionals, and enjoy the spectacular display put on by Mother Nature and the streets and buildings of our fair city. DETAILS/REGISTER

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Announcements

2026 IESNYC Student Lighting Competition 

The IESNYC announced the winners of the 25th annual Student Lighting Competition, marking a milestone year for a program. The 2026 competition featured over 160 projects from over 180 students, representing leading art, design, architecture, and engineering programs across New York City and the surrounding region. Congratulations to 1st place winner Eli Lucas; 2nd place winner Phoebe Zimski; 3rd place winner Athos Argue, and all Honorable Mentions.  VIEW ALL WINNERS

2026 Lumen Gala Sales

EXTENDED DEADLINE:
Reservations and Advertising space must be reserved and paid in full by May 15th.

Join us for an inspiring celebration of excellence in lighting design! This special event shines a spotlight on the Lumen Awards recipients, honoring their outstanding achievements, innovation, and leadership across the industry. Get excited to come together and celebrate the individuals and teams whose work continues to elevate the future of our industry! CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Grant Proposals are Being Accepted

Deadline: May 31, 2026

To recognize and encourage creative thought and activity in the use of light. Cash award(s) will be granted to the person(s) who preserve and carry forth Richard Kelly’s ideals, enthusiasm and reverence for light. Anyone 35 years or under, studying or working in the art and/or science of illumination, in the United States, Canada or Mexico can apply.  LEARN MORE

Emerging Professionals Retreat! Night Lights in New Lebanon 

June 5-7, 2026. EPs, students, and individuals with less than five years of experience in the lighting industry are invited to become engaged and educated on the lighting design, power, and controls process of building Night Lights in New Lebanon—a free lighting festival crafted by designers representing award-winning lighting firms from across the country LEARN MORE

IESNYC MEMBERS

Call for Nominations for the 2027 IES Board of Directors 

May 15, 2026 Deadline for Nominations. The IES invites all qualified IES members to submit either self-nominations or nominations of other IES members as possible candidates for the Board. There are seven (7) openings that our Nominating Committee is seeking to fill; Vice President (President-Elect), Treasurer, three (3) At-Large Directors, and two (2) Regional Directors: South and West. All terms commence January 1, 2027. LEARN MORE

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Fabric of our Society

The Work That Changes Us

Kimberly R. Mercier
Principal, Lighting Design Innovations

The CIE shapes lighting standards both here and abroad. If we lose our seat at the table, we surrender influence over the rules that govern our industry. If, like me, you believe the US should lead in global lighting discourse, this is the moment to act.  READ MORE

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Meet Our Member

Meet Our Honorary Member 

Al Uszynski
Publisher, Inside Lighting

From his base in Atlanta, Honorary Member Al Uszynski sees the level of lighting in NYC as the force that distills innovation and talent. When you attend a program or panel, you’re often sitting alongside people who are shaping some of the most ambitious lighting projects in North America, and frequently, the world.  MORE

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Job Opportunities + Member News

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Other Events

IES Industry Progress Report

Submission Deadline: May 8, 2026. The IES is looking for significant new advancements in lighting products, research, publications, and design tools from the past year.  LEARN MORE

IES Webinar: The Art & Science Behind Beautiful Kitchens: Evidence-Based Lighting That Performs

May 28, 2026. Featuring real-world case studies, lessons learned (including a few hard-earned mistakes), and simple tools for helping clients choose the right light before installation, this session is both informative and engaging. MORE

Registration for IES26 is Open

Early Bird Pricing Available Through May 28th. Join IES August 13-15 in Denver, CO for IES’ annual conference, IES26:, the preeminent conference for all things lighting, from research to design to technology and more.  LEARN MORE

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