ATLANTA — Lighting and design professionals from around the world will converge for networking opportunities, presentations by industry thought-leaders and event experiences at LIGHTFAIR® International (LFI®)—the world’s largest annual architectural and commercial lighting trade show and conference.  LFI takes place May 3-7 at New York’s Javits Center (Pre-Conference LIGHTFAIR Institute®: May 3-4; Trade Show & Conference: May 5-7).

Shuji Nakamura, Ph.D., 2014 Nobel Prize Winner in Physics, heads the list of world-renowned keynote and impact speakers offering their unique perspectives on lighting and design.  Joining Nakamura are inventor Chuck Hoberman, president and founder of Hoberman Associates; iconic lighting designer Howard Brandston, founding partner of the Brandston Partnership; and Mark Rea, Ph.D., director of the Lighting Research Center.

Preceding and setting the stage for the trade show opening, the prestigious LFI Innovation Awards® will highlight the industry’s most innovative products and designs introduced during the last 12 months. The presentation takes place on May 5 beginning at 8:30 a.m., and the LFI trade show floor will open at 10 a.m.

The Celebration of the International Year of Light (IYL) at LFI will include a presentation on May 5 offered by IYL Chairman John Dudley, with reception following.  As published at its official website, the International Year of Light is a global initiative which will highlight to the citizens of the world the importance of light and optical technologies in their lives, for their futures and for the development of society.  It is a unique opportunity to inspire, educate and connect on a global scale.  As a Gold Sponsor of the International Year of Light, LIGHTFAIR International participated in the opening ceremony at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France.

On May 6, attendees will join Barbara Horton, FIALD (2015 IALD President) and Paul Mercier, MS, LC, IALD, IES (2015 IES President) for networking and coffee at "Rise and Shine with Design."

The Metropolis Magazine Event - "A Revealing Look into the Collaborative Process" - will answer the questions: What makes for a truly productive collaboration between a lighting/daylighting designer and two architects?  How do these specialists keep their focus on human beings as well as energy performance?  Lighting consultant Jim Benya of Benya Burnett and two of his favorite architect clients - Kent Duffy, FAIA, SRG Partnership, Portland, Oregon and James Theimer, AIA, Trilogy Architecture and Research, Redding, California - discuss the state of the art in daylighting and tech lighting and how these two very different sources of light can achieve the best results.  The event moderator is Susan S. Szenasy, publisher/editor in chief, Metropolis Magazine.

Exhibitor Presentations will take place in the LFI Spotlight Lounge and give attendees the opportunity to learn about exhibitors and their products.  Presentation sponsors are THE CONNECTED LIGHTING ALLIANCE and WOODFOREST LIGHTING.

A full schedule of events will take place from May 3-7 including speaker presentations, industry updates, exhibitor presentations and giveaways.  Information about all LFI 2015 networking events can be found at http://www.lightfair.com/lightfair/V40/index.cvn?id=10375.

For LIGHTFAIR International 2015, the Pre-Conference program will take place from Sunday, May 3 – Monday, May 4, 2015 and the LFI Trade Show and Conference will run from Tuesday, May 5 – Thursday, May 7, 2015.  For more information about LIGHTFAIR International, please visit LIGHTFAIR.COM.