The LEDucation Trade Show and Conference, organized by the Designers Lighting Forum of New York (DLFNY), concluded another successful event at the New York Hilton Midtown on April 14–15, 2026. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, LEDucation welcomed over 10,000 attendees and 565 exhibitors from around the globe, including a strong presence of new exhibitors, reinforcing its position as North America’s largest annual lighting industry gathering.

Bringing together designers, manufacturers, educators, students, and industry professionals, LEDucation continues to serve as a vital platform for connection, discovery, and the exchange of ideas across the lighting community.

“We are incredibly grateful to our manufacturers and their representatives for the unwavering support and commitment to making LEDucation a success year after year. Your partnership is the backbone of this event, and we thank you for your continued dedication to our program,” said Jamie Eck, LEDucation Co-Chair. “As LEDucation continues to grow, creating a more intentional and focused experience for the design community became a clear priority. The positive feedback from manufacturers has reinforced Designer Hours as a key differentiator of the show.”

20 Years in the Making

To commemorate two decades of growth, the DLFNY hosted a celebratory event on Monday, April 13, honoring past and present contributors who have helped shape LEDucation into what it is today.

LEDucation Co-Chair and Co-Founder, Burt Grant reflected on the milestone, “What started as a small, collaborative idea has grown into something truly meaningful for the lighting community. It’s been incredible to see how LEDucation has evolved over the past 20 years—while still staying true to its core purpose of bringing people together to learn, connect, and move the industry forward.”

The Introduction of Designer Hours

Tuesday morning marked the introduction of Designer Hours, offering lighting designers, architects, interior designers, landscape architects, and engineers exclusive access to the show floor from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Cynthia Turner, President of DLFNY, emphasized the thoughtful planning behind the initiative: “After each event, DLFNY and the LEDucation committee take a close look at what worked, where we can improve, and—most importantly—what we’re hearing from our community. Designer Hours came directly out of that process, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see how well it was received. We’re excited to build on that momentum and continue raising the bar for the LEDucation experience.”

Education at the Core

Education remained a central pillar of LEDucation 2026, with a comprehensive program designed to address the evolving needs of the industry.

“We were incredibly excited by the strength of this year’s educational program—from the diversity of topics to the level of dialogue with attendees. After two decades of engaging with LED technology, our audience brings an informed and thoughtful perspective, creating an industry-leading level of discourse. The feedback from the community has been fantastic, reinforcing that education continues to be a core strength of LEDucation. We’re committed to continuing to grow and evolve the program while maintaining this high level of quality,” shared the LEDucation Presentations Committee — Craig Fox (ETC, Inc.), Wendy Kaplan (Kelvix), Shaun Fillion (NYSID | RAB Lighting), and Stacey Bello (KGM Lighting).

The 2026 conference featured 25 in-person sessions and 14 virtual presentations, covering topics including design, technology, sustainability, controls, and emerging trends.

Spotlight on the Next Generation of Lighting Professionals

A continued highlight of LEDucation is its support of emerging talent through the IESNYC Student Lighting Competition, presented on-site in the Trianon Ballroom. Marking its 25th edition, this year’s competition theme, “Everything Old Is New Again,” challenged participants to reinterpret and reimagine existing ideas through light, viewed through a contemporary lens—transforming the familiar into new forms and experiences.

More than a competition, the program reflects LEDucation’s ongoing commitment to fostering the next generation of lighting professionals—creating a valuable exchange between emerging talent and the broader lighting community, where new perspectives meet expertise.

Looking Ahead to LEDucation 2027

LEDucation will return to the New York Hilton Midtown on April 13–15, 2027—expanding to a three-day format.

For more information, visit www.leducation.org

About LEDucation

Organized by the Designers Lighting Forum of New York, LEDucation is the ultimate marketplace and educational platform for solid state lighting innovations, giving industry professionals a chance to experience new technologies as well as continue their education through a wide range of accredited seminars. LEDucation is a nonprofit event, and proceeds stimulate future lighting advancements by supporting a variety of DLFNY grants, scholarships, and lighting programs.

Visit leducation.org for more information.

About the Designers Lighting Forum of New York

The Designers Lighting Forum of New York (DLFNY) is dedicated to exploring and showcasing the transformative power of lighting in design. Founded in 1934, DLFNY is a non-profit organization led by a volunteer Board of Managers. The DLFNY connects designers, architects, manufacturers and their representatives, contractors, educators, and students, offering opportunities to engage with the art and innovation of lighting in New York City and beyond. DLFNY also strengthens the industry through impactful educational initiatives, including award programs, grants, scholarships, and lighting events.  

Visit dlfny.com for more information.