Introducing The Lighting Agora

LDS Lighting Agora 400

June 21, 2021

Founded in 2021 and led by Tom Butters, LC, an award-winning lighting educator, The Lighting Agora is a consortium of independent lighting industry experts that has come together to offer outstanding lighting education, design, marketing, and webinar services to the global lighting industry.

“I could not be prouder than to launch The Lighting Agora with our initial team.” asserted Tom Butters, Founder of The Lighting Agora. “I have worked extensively with Meiling, Shane, Gerry, and Dan. Each of them brings an expertise, skill set, passion and empathy to the Lighting Agora that will be to the benefit of our clients. While we continue to build our consortium, we could not have started with a stronger base.”

The Lighting Agora offers customized and professionally delivered services including:

  • CEU Accredited Lighting Education
  • Curriculum Design
  • Expert Speakers
  • Mentorship
  • Managed Lighting Webinars
  • Lighting Industry Marketing & Research
  • Lighting Design & Consultation
  • Website Design & Consultation

“Tom has created a terrific initiative.” Stated Dan Blitzer, LC and FIES Founder of The Practical Lighting Workshop. “The Lighting Agora enables you to match your issues to resources of the appropriate experience, scale, and duration.  And you can take advantage of the Lighting Agora’s assembled team to work the project through from concept to completion.”

“I am thrilled to be part of the dedicated and inspired team at The Lighting Agora.” – Gerry Cornwell, LC Owner Gerry Cornwell Lighting

“It’s an honour for us to be a part of The Lighting Agora,” said Meiling Fong, Lead Strategist and Founder of Blueboxfish. “Tom’s vision and passion for the lighting industry are absolutely inspiring. We are looking forward to helping lighting industry clients develop innovative strategies to achieve their marketing objectives.”

“In my exposure to the lighting industry over the last few years, I’ve seen a tremendous opportunity for digital growth,” said Shane Skwarek, Chief Technologist and Owner of S-FX.com Small Business Solutions.  “Lighting experts are developing new, innovative ideas without a means to disseminate their research. That’s where I see The Lighting Agora stepping in – bridging the gap between Expert Ideas and Public Awareness.”

Contact The Lighting Agora today to speak to one of our lighting industry experts.

About The Lighting Agora

Inspired by the ancient Greek Agora, an open space where citizens could meet to exchange ideas, services or knowledge, The Lighting Agora’s mission is to support the evolving global lighting community in overcoming lighting challenges through high level direction and support from its network of lighting industry experts.

Learn more about The Lighting Agora 

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • 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…

  • Dec 3, 2025 - Magic Lite Announces the Promotion of Jennifer Penton to Chief Operating Officer

    Magic Lite Announces the Promotion of Jennifer Penton to Chief Operating Officer

    Magic Lite is proud to announce the promotion of Jennifer Penton to Chief Operating Officer (COO)! Jennifer brings a strong personal connection to Magic Lite. With a PhD in engineering and early experience working in the Magic Lite warehouse as a teenager, she has grown with the company from the ground up. Over the past… Read More…


Design


New Products

  • 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…

  • Omnilumen: Metalumen – Rail 2 Acoustic Direct/Indirect (RM2DU-ACL)

    Omnilumen: Metalumen – Rail 2 Acoustic Direct/Indirect (RM2DU-ACL)

    When designing lighting for a space, why not consider solving an often-overlooked issue in that space – noise. Metalumen’s Rail 2 Acoustic is now available with direct/indirect distribution, while quietly adding light to your environment with sound-dampening properties. The Rail 2 Acoustic RM2DU-ACL is constructed with ezoBord sound-absorbing baffles making it a 2-in-1 solution that… Read More…