Class - Lightapalooza

Women Who Light the Way: Female Leaders in Lighting Integration

Written by admin on October 14, 2025. Posted in 2026, Class, Expert Panel Discussions. No Comments on Women Who Light the Way: Female Leaders in Lighting Integration

Sponsored by: TBA

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 2:30pm-3:30pm
Included with The Essentials and Premium Pass

Moderator: TBA
Panelists: TBA

Level: Any Level
For: Ownership, Sales, Project Managers, Design, Engineering, Everyone

The lighting integration industry is evolving, and women are playing increasingly vital roles as business owners, designers, project managers, programmers, and technical leaders—bringing fresh perspectives, diverse approaches, and exceptional talent to an industry that benefits immensely from their contributions. This inspiring panel celebrates and amplifies the voices of female professionals who are shaping the future of lighting integration. Hear their unique career journeys and the paths that led them to lighting, the distinctive perspectives and strengths they bring to client relationships and project execution, honest discussions about navigating challenges and breaking through barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field, advice for other women considering or advancing careers in lighting and integration, and their vision for creating more inclusive, dynamic teams and companies. Whether you’re a woman building your lighting career, a business owner committed to diversifying your team, or anyone who recognizes that the industry’s future depends on welcoming talent from all backgrounds, this conversation offers both inspiration and actionable insights.

Winning with Architects & Builders: Lighting as a Door Opener, Not an Afterthought

Written by admin on October 14, 2025. Posted in 2026, Class, Expert Panel Discussions. No Comments on Winning with Architects & Builders: Lighting as a Door Opener, Not an Afterthought

Sponsored by: TBA

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 1:00pm-2:00pm
Included with The Essentials and Premium Pass

Moderator: TBA
Panelists: TBA

Level: Any Level
For: Ownership, Sales, Business Development, Design

The most lucrative lighting projects are won long before the RFP arrives—they’re secured through strategic relationships with architects and builders who view integrators as essential design partners rather than vendors brought in after major decisions are made. This business development-focused panel addresses one of the industry’s most requested topics: how to position your firm as the lighting authority that architects and builders actively seek out early in the design process. Panelists share proven strategies for building credibility with the architecture and construction community, communicating in their language and understanding their project pressures and priorities, providing value during pre-construction phases without giving away the farm, navigating the delicate balance between supporting the architect’s vision and protecting your scope, and converting early involvement into signed contracts and long-term repeat business. Stop being the last call when budgets are depleted—learn how to become the first call when lighting vision is being defined.

Getting Lighting Right: Lessons from Integrators Who’ve Done It

Written by admin on October 14, 2025. Posted in 2026, Class, Expert Panel Discussions. No Comments on Getting Lighting Right: Lessons from Integrators Who’ve Done It

Sponsored by: TBA

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 11:00am-12:00pm
Included with The Essentials and Premium Pass

Moderator: Peter Romaniello
Panelists: TBA

Level: Any Level
For: Ownership, Sales, Project Managers, Design, Engineering

While still relatively new, there have been enough experiences (good and bad) to look back and review how the lighting design/specification/selling/service process is going within the CI channel. Some companies have done it very well, and others have had challenges. We will have a very frank and open panel discussion with some of the leaders in this industry to gain some insight on how to do this whole “thing” successfully.

Moderated by Peter with experienced ci who have done it for years and what has been learned….David Liu, Drew Balsman, Navot, Michael Brody, Dennis, Navot, as potential panelists

Power Problems, Solved: How Integrators Are Building Smarter, Cleaner, More Reliable Homes

Written by admin on October 14, 2025. Posted in 2026, Class, Expert Panel Discussions. No Comments on Power Problems, Solved: How Integrators Are Building Smarter, Cleaner, More Reliable Homes

Sponsored by: TBA

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 9:30am-10:30am
Included with The Essentials and Premium Pass

Moderator: TBA
Panelists: TBA

Level: Any Level
For: Ownership, Sales, Project Managers, Design, Engineering

As smart homes grow more sophisticated and homeowners demand greater energy independence, custom integrators are uniquely positioned to deliver comprehensive power solutions that go far beyond traditional electrical work. This forward-looking panel explores how leading integration firms are capitalizing on surging demand for whole-home backup power systems, residential EV charging infrastructure, solar integration with battery storage, and intelligent energy management platforms. Panelists share their experiences navigating utility regulations and permitting requirements, partnering effectively with electrical contractors and energy consultants, positioning power solutions as premium services rather than commodities, and educating clients on the long-term value of resilient, efficient power systems. Whether you’re considering adding power solutions to your service portfolio or looking to refine your existing approach, this discussion provides strategic insights into one of the fastest-growing opportunities in residential technology.

Communicating your Ideas

Written by admin on October 6, 2025. Posted in 2026, Class, LCHY Discover Series. No Comments on Communicating your Ideas

Having a great idea is only half the battle—getting others to understand it is what makes a project successful. In this interactive session, we’ll explore practical techniques for communicating your design vision, from quick sketches and inspiration images to AI-generated visuals, written notes, and formal drafts. We’ll also discuss how different audiences—clients, builders, trade partners, and designers—process information in different ways, and what strategies can help you adapt your approach for each. Alongside shared tools and tips, participants will have the chance to exchange what’s worked (and what hasn’t) in real-world practice. You’ll leave with new techniques and insights to help ensure that the ideas in your head come through clearly, confidently, and convincingly to everyone on your project team.

Ron Callis in a long sleeve shirt with a grey vest presenting

Business Growth: Lighting and Beyond

Written by admin on October 6, 2025. Posted in 2026, Class, Education Sessions. No Comments on Business Growth: Lighting and Beyond

Expanding into lighting and power presents integration firms with opportunities that extend far beyond technical execution—requiring strategic shifts across sales, marketing, operations, and financial planning. This track addresses the complete business ecosystem, equipping owners, sales leaders, marketing professionals, and operations managers with frameworks to capitalize on emerging categories while strengthening core business fundamentals. Sessions cover AI-driven operational efficiency, strategic trade partner relationship development with architects and designers, proposal optimization that improves close rates, business constraint identification and resolution, leadership methodologies including structured one-on-ones, and revenue expansion through landscape lighting. Led by industry experts in business operations, sales strategy, and partnership development, this track delivers actionable implementation plans and proven methodologies to remove growth barriers, strengthen referral networks, enhance competitive positioning, and achieve measurable profitability across all facets of the integration business in 2026.

A man in a black suitcoat and white t shirt presenting

Operations and Lighting Project Management Series

Written by admin on October 6, 2025. Posted in 2026, Class, Education Sessions. No Comments on Operations and Lighting Project Management Series

Custom integrators excel at delivering complex technology systems, but lighting design, fixture procurement, and project execution introduce distinct operational and management challenges across the entire organization. This track addresses critical gaps in both business operations and project delivery, equipping operations managers, project managers, and leadership teams with structured methodologies to navigate lighting-specific complexities. Sessions cover responsibility definition across trades, fixture procurement strategies that protect margins, linear lighting coordination from estimation through installation, process documentation using SIPOC and AI tools to transform tribal knowledge into scalable operational standards, and role clarification frameworks including Lighting Fixture Responsibility Charts. Led by industry professionals experienced in both technology integration and lighting project execution, this track provides practical tools to streamline business processes, reduce errors, eliminate costly rework, improve trade coordination, and transform lighting from a high-risk obligation into a profitable, scalable service line that enhances operational efficiency, client satisfaction, and long-term business growth.