Canada Light Talks, the cornerstone of Canada Light Expo, is a dynamic conference and panel discussion series that delves into the four pivotal tracks shaping the future of the lighting industry: LEDs & Design, LEDs & Health, LED Controls & Dimming, and LEDs & Exterior. These sessions are designed to foster a deep understanding of the latest advancements and challenges within these critical areas, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and experts to share insights, debate pressing issues, and explore emerging trends. Canada Light Talks is not just an opportunity for knowledge exchange but a vital platform for driving innovation, influencing industry standards, and inspiring the next generation of lighting solutions in Canada.
To attend Canada Light Talks, Delegate registration is mandatory.
About Canada Light Talks 2024
The attendees will earn Lighting Agora approved Continuing Education Credits (CECs).
DAY-1 (13 November, 2024)
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Presentation
Evaluating LED Colour in Design
Track: LEDs & Design
Speaker:
Robert Lanteigne
Founder, Lightbob.com
With a background in theater and as a seasoned electrician, Robert’s journey into the realm of lighting design was fatefully destined. His love for theatrical lighting ignited a spark that led him on a path of exploration, earning a master’s degree from Parson’s School of Design, and eventually founding his own esteemed academy.
As the founder of Lightbob.com, Robert’s artistic journey has taken him far beyond the conventional boundaries of lighting design. From conceptual pen-and-paper sketches to breathtaking fusion and blowned glass custom fabrication, he has seamlessly integrated the timeless with the innovative, making him a pioneer in the industry.
Robert’s ingenuity knows no bounds, and his devotion to artistry is evident in each bespoke luminaire he crafts. His profound relationships with worldwide peers, suppliers, artisans, and collaborators have been paramount to his success in delivering exceptional lighting design that surpasses expectations.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Keynote
The Future of LEDs & Lighting Industry
Track: Keynote
Keynote Speaker:
Mark Lien
President, Augmented Illumination
Mark has designed interior and exterior lighting systems for a wide range of applications including residential, municipal, retail, healthcare, energy audit retrofits and both conventional and nuclear power plants. He started his lighting career by managing home centers and a lighting center providing sales and design specifications. Mark has provided lighting education while working, presenting, and teaching across four continents. He serves on over twenty lighting related committees including ASHRAE, ANSI, IEEE, IUVA, IDA and the IES. As a part of his work, he monitors over 100 lighting and technology related organizations.
Mark is a columnist for Lighting Design and Application Magazine writing on the changes in our industry and he hosts a podcast on lighting trends and technologies. Mark has served on multiple boards and is currently on several executive committees advising various organizations. Mark ran the educational centers for both Cooper and Hubbell Lighting and was the Director of Government & Industry Relations for OSRAM SYLVANIA before joining the Illuminating Engineering Society. He serves as industry consultant to the IES today through his company, Augmented Illumination. Mark has been inducted into the Michigan Lighting Hall of Fame, has a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Edison Report and Presidential Awards from the IES.
12:00 PM
Industry Networking Luncheon
01:30 PM - 02:30 PM
Panel Discussion
LED Controls
Track: LED Controls & Dimming
Panelists:
Webster Marsh
Owner, Penumbra Controls
C. “Webster” Marsh is the Owner of Penumbra Controls, where he provides lighting and lighting controls design, specification guidance, and education. Webster brings over 20 years of applied experience with lighting and lighting controls, and he enjoys sharing his wealth of knowledge with the lighting and lighting controls industry. Webster is a Certified Lighting Controls Practitioner (CLCP), Lighting Controls Association contributor, instructor for the Southern California Edison Energy Education Centers, member of the Lighting Agora, member of the IESNA, and past speaker for Lightfair, IES Annual Conference, LEDucation, and NYControlled. In his spare time, Webster is a contributor to the Lighting Controls Association's educational resources and co-hosts the Lighting Controls Podcast.
Andrew Parker
Partner, Salex
Andrew Parker's distinguished career and expertise in mechanical engineering and lighting controls make him a pivotal figure in the industry. With a degree in mechanical engineering from Queen’s University and credentials as a Professional Engineer, LEED Accredited Professional, and Lighting Certified professional, Andrew brings a robust technical foundation to his role. Andrew's career began at Ford Motor Company in automotive electronics manufacturing and led to leadership roles in lighting control startups like Encelium, now a part of Legrand. His shift to LED technology marked a natural progression in his career.
Will Norris
President, VxV Solutions
As Co-founder of VxV Solutions Inc., Will Norris leads the team to deliver innovative lighting control solutions for projects across the Greater Toronto Area. Will also heads Airlight, Canada’s marketplace for Casambi lighting controls, offering the modernizing platform for user-friendly, smart lighting systems.
With a background as a Professional Electrical Engineer and Certified Casambi 4C Commissioning Partner, Will brings deep technical expertise and a passion for making advanced lighting technology accessible. This commitment to lighting controls innovation extends to his role as a lecturer at Toronto Metropolitan University's Chang School of Continuing Education, where he shares insights with the next generation of industry professionals.
02:30 PM - 04:00 PM
Workshop
Mastering LED Lighting Specifications
Track: LEDs & Design
Conducted By:
Deborah Gottesman
Principal, Gottesman Associates
Deborah has a unique contextual understanding of lighting from all perspectives; her career spans over 30 years in all facets of the lighting industry including design, engineering, management, education, and manufacturing. An electrical engineer with an MBA in Real Property, Deborah has successfully worked on projects in many sectors, with particular expertise in Heritage, Residential, and Commercial projects. She has taught lighting at all levels to a wide audience from students at colleges and universities to senior architects. Since establishing Gottesman Associates in 1999, Deborah’s creative, rigorous, passionate and client-driven approach has brought award-winning lighting designs to a wide range of satisfied and repeat clients. Her firm is a boutique lighting design practice in Toronto with 3 associates who collaborate to bring their clients’ vision to light. Deborah currently sits on the Illuminating Engineering Society Residential Lighting Committee, and is a past president of the Toronto Section. She also currently sits on the Canadian National Committee of the Commission Internationale de L’Eclairage (CIE).
Sharyn Adler-Gitalis
Associate Lighting Designer, Gottesman Associates
Sharyn Adler Gitalis BFA, Assoc. IALD, MIESNA Sharyn's experience as an artist, colour consultant, lighting designer and educator informs her insightful perspective on design. As Senior Associate Lighting Designer with Gottesman Associates and Principal with Colour + Light, she explores and applies the nuances of colour and light with scientific enquiry and creative understanding. Sharyn’s professional interests include urban streetscape and projects related to community, health and wellness and sustainability. She shares her passion for light and colour by teaching at various institutions including OCAD University, Toronto Metropolitan University, and Artbarn School. She also holds specialty colour and lighting seminars and workshops for designers. Professional affiliations and awards include: Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA), International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), International Colour Association (AIC) and past executive board member and Treasurer of the Colour Research Society of Canada (CRSC)
DAY-2 (14 November, 2024)
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Presentation
Lighting to Support Circadian Rhythms
Track: LEDs & Health
Speakers:
Robert Soler
Founder and Chief Scientist, BIOS Lighting
Robert Soler is the Founder and Chief Scientist of BIOS Lighting. Prior to BIOS, his most prominent work was at Kennedy Space Center, where he served as Subject Matter Expert for NASA’s circadian lighting system to synchronize astronauts to a 24-hour cycle on board International Space Station. He has served as a jet lag mitigation consultant for professional sports teams, and he currently serves as an advisor to the International WELL Building Institute.
His work bridges the gap between human biology, lighting technology, human behavior, visual perception, energy efficiency and practical application. This innovative approach to lighting has led to him being a named inventor on over 100 issued patents.
He has been a guest lecturer at numerous institutions, including KTH (Sweden), Parsons School of Design (New York City), and CU Boulder (Colorado). Additionally, he has provided courses as a part of several energy and education programs, such as PG&E (San Francisco), SCE (Los Angeles), and Lighting Design Lab (Seattle).
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Presentation
LED Controls for Commercial and Municipal Applications
Track: LED Controls & Dimming
Speakers:
Chris Wolgamott
Sr. Product Manager, Commercial lighting, Consumer Products, HVAC, Augmented Illumination
For over 25 years Chris Wolgamott has worked in the utility business in the Pacific Northwest, as a program manager, energy efficiency engineer and product manager. Mr. Wolgamott is recognized as a subject matter expert (SME) for LLLC (Luminaire Level Lighting Controls). He works extensively with lighting manufacturers on were the future of lighting and controls are headed. His work in the utility business has allowed him to gain vast knowledge on how incentive programs are developed and run. As the Senior Product Manager for Commercial, Residential Lighting and Commercial Efficient Rooftop Units (eRTU) with NEEA, Chris works with manufacturers on increasing the efficiency of lighting, lighting controls and natural gas rooftop units. Chris leads all emerging tech research on lighting products to support transformation of the commercial and residential lighting markets. Chris is the SME for the natural gas eRTU program, working with industry to transform the natural gas rooftop market.
Abiran Raveenthiran
Principal, VxV Solutions
Abiran Raveenthiran is the Principal and Co-Founder of VxV Solutions, a leading building technology agency and integrator. With a strong commitment to creative design implementation and sustainability, Abiran has made it his mission to transform Canada’s landscape.
Beyond his contributions to VxV Solutions, Abiran actively engages in various roles within the construction community. He participates as a member of the Projects Committee for the upcoming Tamil Community Centre in Scarborough, serves as Heritage Advisory Committee in his hometown of Whitchurch-Stouffville and a selected Energy Trailblazer by Efficiency Canada. Additionally, he served as an Executive Member of the Canadian Green Building Council’s Emerging Green Professionals Team, contributing to the advancement of sustainable practices in the industry. Abiran’s dedication to sustainability, innovation, and excellence in lighting controls and building technology continues to shape the industry and drive positive change across Canada’s architectural landscape.
12:00 PM
Break For Lunch
01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Fireside Chat
LEDs and Health
Track: LEDs & Health
Speakers:
Robert Soler
Founder and Chief Scientist, BIOS Lighting
Robert Soler is the Founder and Chief Scientist of BIOS Lighting. Prior to BIOS, his most prominent work was at Kennedy Space Center, where he served as Subject Matter Expert for NASA’s circadian lighting system to synchronize astronauts to a 24-hour cycle on board International Space Station. He has served as a jet lag mitigation consultant for professional sports teams, and he currently serves as an advisor to the International WELL Building Institute.
His work bridges the gap between human biology, lighting technology, human behavior, visual perception, energy efficiency and practical application. This innovative approach to lighting has led to him being a named inventor on over 100 issued patents.
He has been a guest lecturer at numerous institutions, including KTH (Sweden), Parsons School of Design (New York City), and CU Boulder (Colorado). Additionally, he has provided courses as a part of several energy and education programs, such as PG&E (San Francisco), SCE (Los Angeles), and Lighting Design Lab (Seattle).
Dawn Brown
Owner & Principal Designer, Ontario Aesthetic Lighting Design
Dawn is the Owner and Principal Designer at Ontario Aesthetic Lighting Design. She is a recognized industry leader in circadian lighting design and is driven by a passion for designing lighting solutions that promote health and wellness.
Dawn’s 23-year career is defined by her dedication to continuous improvement and willingness to challenge the status quo. She was one of the first Lighting Designers in Canada to achieve the Certified Lighting Designer (CLD) credential, adding her name to the CLD database among some of the world’s most accomplished designers.
Her extensive experience spans multiple sectors and a wide array of buildings. She is also known for her commitment to environmental stewardship, Dawn develops sustainable lighting solutions that respect the natural environment, having contributed contemporary and inventive lighting designs for multiple WELL® and LEED®-certified buildings.
02:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Workshop
Dimming with LEDs
Track: LED Controls & Dimming
Conducted By:
Andrew Parker
Partner, Salex
Andrew Parker's distinguished career and expertise in mechanical engineering and lighting controls make him a pivotal figure in the industry. With a degree in mechanical engineering from Queen’s University and credentials as a Professional Engineer, LEED Accredited Professional, and Lighting Certified professional, Andrew brings a robust technical foundation to his role. Andrew's career began at Ford Motor Company in automotive electronics manufacturing and led to leadership roles in lighting control startups like Encelium, now a part of Legrand. His shift to LED technology marked a natural progression in his career.
Webster Marsh
Owner, Penumbra Controls
C. “Webster” Marsh is the Owner of Penumbra Controls, where he provides lighting and lighting controls design, specification guidance, and education. Webster brings over 20 years of applied experience with lighting and lighting controls, and he enjoys sharing his wealth of knowledge with the lighting and lighting controls industry. Webster is a Certified Lighting Controls Practitioner (CLCP), Lighting Controls Association contributor, instructor for the Southern California Edison Energy Education Centers, member of the Lighting Agora, member of the IESNA, and past speaker for Lightfair, IES Annual Conference, LEDucation, and NYControlled. In his spare time, Webster is a contributor to the Lighting Controls Association's educational resources and co-hosts the Lighting Controls Podcast.
John Keating
Consultant, JV Keating
John is a professional controls specialist with many years of diversified controls experience including appliance controls, commercial controls, industrial process controls and since 2005 lighting controls. John has managed sales teams, large projects as well as supported field service teams. He has also taught the controls section of the IES Introduction to Lighting course.
John’s varied lighting experience comes from Douglas Lighting Controls, Acuity Canada Controls, Cristal Controls as well rep agencies.
John’s broad base of knowledge and experience provides him with the insights as a consultant necessary to meet the challenges of the client.
DAY-3 (15 November, 2024)
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Presentation
LEDs and the Aging Eye - Aging in Place
Track: LEDs & Health
Speaker:
Tom Butters
Founder & Executive Director, The Lighting Agora
Tom Butters, LC, is the creative mind and developer behind some of the most well received educational tools and events of the global lighting industry. Since 1986, Tom has worked in or served the entire array of the lighting industry. He uses this diverse background and empathy to understand the needs of the individual or organization to deliver high quality lighting education to suit the precise needs of the user. Butters is the Founder and Executive Director of The Lighting Agora and the Executive Director of the National Lighting Bureau as well as a proud board member of the Nuckolls’ Fund for Lighting Education and an Emeritus Member of the IES.
Tom was the co-developer, along with F.X. Morin, of the globally successful free lighting app “IES Ready Reference”. He is the creator of “Light for Life – a Global Collaboration 2020” which involved 17 webinars from 15 lighting organizations from around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tom was the director of the IES’ free 4-hour live webinar “Germicidal Disinfection in the Days of COVID-19” which had over 3600 live attendees from 56 countries and has been viewed by thousands more as a free offering on the IES website.
Senior Product Manager at NEEA, Chris has 25+ years in the utility business, specializing in energy efficiency and Luminaire Level Lighting Controls (LLLC). He works with manufacturers to enhance lighting efficiency and oversees tech research to transform the lighting market.
Linda Kafka
Founder and Principal, LivABLE Environment Inc
Linda Kafka is a respected educator and advocate in the field of residential design, with a strong focus on ‘living in place’—her preferred term for aging in place. As an instructor for the Adaptiv Home program, Linda played a key role in developing the course with a team of experts, highlighting how environments must evolve to meet our needs throughout our lives. She believes that our environments, especially our homes, should adapt to us over a lifespan, supporting both our emotional health and well-being.
Since 2009, Linda has been a trusted voice in the design industry, focusing on how residential spaces can better support individuals as they age. Her journey into blending science and design began in 2019 with the neuroaesthetic installation A Space for Being at Salone del Mobile, which solidified her belief in the power of design to promote health and well-being.
Linda continues to advocate for the integration of scientific principles into the interior design field, aiming to create spaces that not only enhance beauty but also significantly enrich and support emotional and physical well-being at every stage of life.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Fireside Chat
LEDs and Environmentally Friendly Exterior Lighting
Track: LEDs & Exterior
Speakers:
Shirley Coyle
President, Cree Lighting Canada
Shirley Coyle, is President of Cree Lighting Canada and has worked in leadership roles for several lighting manufacturers over the past 35 years. Lighting Certified since 2000, Shirley is a Past President of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), with 7 years on the IES Board of Directors. Shirley is active on several IES committees, including the Roadway Lighting Committee, the Outdoor Nighttime Environments Committee, and the Street & Area Lighting Conference Committee. Shirley is also a Board member of CIE’s Canadian National Committee.
Leora Radetsky
Senior Lighting Scientist and the LUNA Program Director, DesignLights Consortium (DLC)
Leora Radetsky is a Senior Lighting Scientist and the LUNA Program Director at the DesignLights Consortium (DLC) where she focuses on developing lighting solutions that support light pollution mitigation, energy optimization, quality, human factors, and performance in the areas of horticultural and architectural lighting. She has over 25 years of experience in the lighting industry including as a research scientist with the Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Director of Customer Education at Lighting Analysts, Inc. In 2014, she was awarded an IES Regional Technical Award from the Northeast region for her significant scientific contributions to the field of illumination. Leora has a B.S. in Architectural Engineering with an Emphasis in Illumination from the University of Colorado at Boulder, and an M.S. in Lighting from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She is Lighting Certified by the NCQLP.
12:00 PM
Break For Lunch
01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Presentation
How Sustainable Energy Options are aligned with Lighting
Track: LED Controls & Dimming
Speaker:
David Katz
Board Chair, Ontario Sustainable Energy Association
With corporate procurement and planning experience at Canadian Bechtel, J&J and Ontario Hydro, David Katz established Sustainable Resources Management in 1993. Trained on Applied Decision Analysis, Expert Systems and Life Cycle Costs, David provides training and consulting services in the application of these programs to use resources more sustainably. His current focus is on making buildings smarter, healthier and energy efficient using people, programs and products in a holistic way. He is currently Board Chair at Ontario Sustainable Energy Association and an ambassador speaker for the Association for smart Homes and Buildings.