ELMHURST, Ill. — American lighting design professionals in seven southern states now have a dedicated professional community in which to interact and engage.
As part of the support and advocacy for lighting designers provided at global, regional, and local levels, the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) has established a chapter for Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, encouraging professionals in those southeastern states to take part.
Joining over thirty-five regions and chapters in the association’s expanding network, the IALD Southeast U.S. Chapter invites interested designers to become members of the IALD community and gain access to its array of programs, events, and networking among over 1,500 industry colleagues.
“The concentration of exceptional talent in this area of the United States warranted a designated chapter,” says IALD President Andrea Hartranft, IALD. “Forming this localized network of designers leads to more face-to-face collaboration and learning opportunities that benefit the individual and the industry.”
The new chapter will be voluntarily coordinated by three professional members of the IALD community: Carrie Walker, Associate IALD; Jeffrey Brown, IALD; and Kate Sanoke, Associate IALD.
As a Georgia-based lighting designer, Walker is eager to organize events that draw the chapter together: “When lighting designers connect, we share insights and experiences that enrich one another’s perspectives and improve our problem-solving capabilities. I particularly look forward to those activities and learning sessions that promote ethical and innovative lighting practices.”
In conjunction with its formation, the newly established chapter will host a kick-off meeting via videoconference on 31 May 2024. The agenda will include introductions by the three coordinators and an overview of what the chapter looks to accomplish in its first year. Those wanting to join the meeting can register online up to the start time of noon Eastern that day.
Lighting designers interested in becoming members of the IALD and joining the new Southeast United States Chapter can find details at iald.org.
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