LEDucation 2027 has been expanded to give the lighting industry more education, more connection, and a more focused experience for the specification community. A call for speakers is now open, and a full third day reserved exclusively for designers has been added.
LEDucation Call For Speakers
LEDucation is accepting proposals for its 2027 educational program, inviting lighting professionals, designers, architects, engineers, and industry partners to submit non-commercial presentations that address timely issues and emerging trends. The organizers are looking for sessions on sustainability and material transparency, codes and compliance, lighting for health and wellbeing, design tools and methodologies, the business of lighting, emerging LED and controls technologies, case studies, and lighting design/specification topics.
The show’s leaders say they want both first-time and returning presenters, but they are explicitly screening out proposals from marketing firms, lead-generation companies, coaches, and keynote-style speakers that do not fit the conference’s educational mission. The deadline to submit is September 15, 2026.
Information on submitting an abstract / proposal can be found here.
A Full Designer Day
The other major change is structural: LEDucation 2027 will expand to three days, with the opening day now dedicated as a full Designer Day exclusively for the specification community. That move builds on the success of Designer Hours in 2026 and is intended to give designers more time for meaningful product review and conversation, while giving manufacturers deeper access to one of the industry’s most influential audiences.
According to the show’s leadership, last year’s Designer Hours drew about 2,000 registered designers, reinforcing the need for a larger, more intentional format. The expanded day is also designed to improve the attendee experience by reducing congestion and replacing rushed booth traffic with more substantive discussions.
The shift reflects where the lighting market has been heading: designers are no longer just attendees, but central influencers in product selection and market direction. By dedicating a full day to that audience, LEDucation is acknowledging the growing importance of specification-driven relationships and the need for a venue that balances education with focused business development.
The three-day format also appears to be designed with practicality in mind. LEDucation says the final day will end at 1:00 p.m., making it easier for attendees and exhibitors to travel home without needing an extra hotel night.
For exhibitors, the added day comes with only a modest increase in booth cost, while for speakers it creates more room for relevant, high-value content. For designers, it creates a more exclusive and productive environment. And for the broader lighting industry, it signals that LEDucation is continuing to grow without losing the educational focus that has made it stand out.
The 2027 LEDucation show will again be held at the New York Hilton Midtown, April 13-15, 2027. More information can be found here.
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