Lightfair 2019: Exploring the Future of Light, Technology, Design and Connectivity

February 11, 2019

Thought leaders from across the globe will deliver the newest insights on the future of light, technology, design and connectivity at the celebrated Lightfair International Conference set for May 19-23, 2019 at the Philadelphia Convention Center. The pre-conference Lightfair Institute is May 19-20 and the Trade Show & Conference are May 21-23.

The 5-day conference program will feature 76 courses with 140 speakers presenting a leading-edge custom curriculum developed by lighting, technology and design experts serving on the select LFI Conference Advisory Committee. The conference offers practitioners across the lighting, design and technology spectrum relevant topics, accomplished speakers and industry intelligence as an integral component of the world’s largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference.

Headlining the conference are keynote speaker Caleb Harper, Principal Investigator and Director of the Open Agriculture (OpenAG) initiative at the MIT Media Lab, and opening day speaker Alex Kanjeev, President of O’Leary Ventures, who will present his remarks in the newly named LFI Live Lounge (formerly The Hub). 

New to the conference is the IoT & Connected Lighting Forum. The transformation of today’s lighting infrastructure with LED products offers the potential for future connected lighting systems where each luminaire becomes a point of intelligence that can share information on space occupancy, activity patterns, changes in temperature or humidity, and daylight levels; and that can integrate wireless communications into the lighting system. The forum addresses connected lighting through a suggested design guide and a field study examining creation of reliable IT networks through smart lighting infrastructure, and using visible light through LiFi to carry data and information. It also addresses smart streetlights and master-planned connected cities.

The Light & Health Forum, which explores the non-visual effects of light on humans, returns with new courses. 

Beyond the conference, new events in the newly christened LFI Live Lounge and the New Exhibitor Pavilion include daily curated trade show tours, emerging professional and student programs, and celebrations for Lightfair’s 30th anniversary. Attendees can also tour Philadelphia landmarks Dilworth Park and Liacouras Center as part of the Conference. 

The pre-conference and conference programs include more than 170 hours of educational options presented as five two-day LIGHTFAIR Institute courses; four one-day Lightfair Institute courses; eight three-hour Lightfair Institute workshops; two three-hour conference workshops; 25 90-minute seminars; five 90-minute Lunch & Learn Seminars; 17 60-minute sessions; five IoT & Connected Lighting Forum sessions; and six Light & Health Forum sessions — all with AIA, ASLA, BOMI, IDCEC, IEEE, IES and NCQLP accreditation. 

Find out more: Lightfair.com/conference.

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • Dec 5, 2025 - Liteline Announces Improvements to Production Facilities to Provide Even More Made in Canada Lighting Solutions

    Liteline Announces Improvements to Production Facility to Provide Even More Made in Canada Lighting Solutions

    Liteline has announced the transformation of their Production Facility! What was once home to their Safety and Performance Test Labs has now been completely repurposed. With those labs relocated and renovated, Liteline’s production team has taken over the space to expand their in-house capabilities, everything from assembling fan favorites to building custom configurations. In this… Read More…

  • Dec 4, 2025 - Wow Lighting and Controls Announces New Partnership with Eterna Light

    Wow Lighting and Controls Announces New Partnership with Eterna Light

    Wow Lighting and Controls is excited to welcome Eterna Light to their lighting family! A Canadian manufacturer based in Côte Saint-Luc, Quebec, Eterna Light specializes in high-end architectural luminaires for commercial, hospitality, and retail projects. Their broad lineup includes downlights, cylinders, track lighting, and advanced backlighting solutions, all designed to bring flexibility, performance, and timeless… Read More…


Design

  • Understanding IK Ratings: Why Impact Resistance Matters in LED Lighting

    Understanding IK Ratings: Why Impact Resistance Matters in LED Lighting

    When selecting your lighting fixtures, performance, efficiency, and longevity are often top priorities. But there’s another critical factor that’s sometimes overlooked — impact resistance, measured by an IK rating. Whether your lighting is installed in a rugged industrial facility or an exposed outdoor environment, understanding IK ratings ensures your fixtures can handle the job safely… Read More…

  • Understanding Melanopic Lighting for Improved Indoor Environments

    Understanding Melanopic Lighting for Improved Indoor Environments

    Light plays a crucial role not only in our ability to see but also in regulating our internal body clock, sleep patterns, and overall well-being. Traditional lighting design primarily focuses on visual comfort and task illumination. However, recent advancements have shed light on the concept of melanopic lighting, which specifically targets the non-visual effects of… Read More…


New Products

  • RENO Lighting: AURA Series – Mini Linear Recessed Spot Light – RENO-LRSL-5CCT-8W-WH

    RENO Lighting: AURA Series – Mini Linear Recessed Spot Light – RENO-LRSL-5CCT-8W-WH

    RENO’s AURA Series Mini Linear Recessed Spot Light offers sleek, unobtrusive lighting with powerful, focused illumination. Ideal for modern interiors, it seamlessly integrates into ceilings or walls, providing a minimalist aesthetic while enhancing the ambiance. Perfect for highlighting art, architectural details, or creating mood lighting in any space. Engineered with a distinctive, deeply set light… Read More…

  • EB Horsman: Philips LED Lamps & TLED Tubes – Efficient Lighting Solutions for Any Space

    EB Horsman: Philips LED Lamps & TLED Tubes – Efficient Lighting Solutions for Any Space

    Looking to upgrade your lighting with high-efficiency LED solutions? Philips offers a wide range of LED lamps and TLED retrofit tubes that deliver energy savings, long life, and professional-grade illumination for commercial and residential projects. Philips LED lamps provide consistent brightness and excellent color rendering, making them ideal for offices, retail environments, warehouses, and homes.… Read More…