Jeff Miller

Luminaires for general commercial applications showed marked improvement, compared to previous years, at the fourth annual Next Generation Luminaires (NGL) Solid-State Lighting (SSL) Design Competition. Results for the competition, which was launched in 2008 to promote excellence in the design of energy-efficient LED luminaires for general illumination in commercial lighting applications, were announced May 10 at Lightfair in Las Vegas. The competition split up indoor and outdoor lighting products for the first time in 2012. Of the 187 products proposed for submission in the indoor competition, 114 of which met the stringent documentation requirements to be judged, 53 were recognized as winners, indicating the judges considered them worthy of specification. Three products were recognized as Best in Class, meaning they stood out significantly above the other products in their category. Intense Lighting was selected for its MBW2 LED Track accent lighting fixture, Albeo Technologies for its H-Series LED high-bay luminaire, and Lithonia Lighting for its ST Series LED utility/general purpose luminaire. More

The IALD has issued the call for presentations for its 2012 Enlighten Americas conference to be held Oct. 11-13, 2012, in Vancouver. The deadline for submissions is Jan. 9, 2012. The conference theme, Speaking of Light, "reflects a need for the architectural lighting design community to refocus on those important discussions on the evolving nature of the art and science of architectural lighting design." Although the conference will follow the same three-track system that has been employed at past Enlighten gatherings, the tracks have been renamed under the headings: Art, Science, and Professional Tools. To download the submission guidelines go to iald.org. More

The 2012 Next Generation Luminaires (NGL) Solid-State Lighting Competition is officially open. Major change for 2012: The competition, to better respond to the differences in lighting applications, is now divided into two one for Indoor and one for Outdoor. Deadline for intent to submit for the Indoor competition is Dec. 16. For full competition details go to ngldc.org. More

The IALD Nominations & Elections Committee has put out a call for nominations to its 2012 Board of Directors and Membership Committee. Two positions are open on the committee. The position of chair is also open. There are three Directors at Large positions open on the Board of Directors. (All positions are for a two-year term.) Voting members of the IALD may nominate candidates using the IALD nomination form, which can be mailed to IALD headquarters in Chicago or sent via email to [email protected] More