The Lighting Controls Association was founded as a council of NEMA back in 2001 to promote adoption of lighting controls through education. Today, the association continues to make a demonstrable difference in supporting public expertise in selecting, designing, installing, and operating lighting control systems.
This article outlines the LCA’s accomplishments in 2022 and offers a preview of what’s to come in 2023.
The year in review
The LCA is supported by 24 leading manufacturers of lighting controls. In 2022, four new members joined, including JDRF Electromag, IR-TEC, LiteTrace, and Casambi. The organization is chaired by Charles Knuffke of Legrand Wattstopper with Gary Meshberg of Encelium serving as vice chair and Michael Erbesfeld of NEMA serving as executive director. In his role as chair of NEMA’s Lighting Controls Section, Current’s Jeremy Yon participates on the LCA board. Craig DiLouie serves in the role of education director.
Ongoing programming: The LCA continued its staple programming including the website, newsletter, social media, publication of more than 130 news items, and publication of 24 articles by regular contributors Craig DiLouie, C. Webster Marsh, and Steve Mesh. Topics included design, construction trends, standards like D4i, energy codes, technology, and more.
In 2022, the LCA website welcomed some 180,000 visitors who viewed some 630,000 pages. The newsletter lightingCONTROL has 12,000 subscribers, Twitter page followers stand at 900, and the fast-growing LinkedIn group now stands at 8,400 members. The LCA’s YouTube channel generated 34,000 views.
A 2021 survey of regular site users (lightingCONTROL subscribers) revealed that people find the LCA website through a variety of means, with LCA’s industry relationships, engagement at industry events, and contributions to magazines and websites resulting in the bulk of contacts. Nearly one out of six respondents say a colleague suggested it. Many visitors also come to the site via a search engine because they have a particular need, with LCA consistently showing up high in search rankings. A majority of users said they very often find what they’re looking for at the LCA site.
Awards: The LCA sponsored an award focused around networked lighting control with Endeavor Business Media’s LEDs Magazine and LightSpec West, recognizing excellence in design with this technology.
Education Express: The LCA’s free, 24/7 online education program, Education Express offers more than 50 hours of learning on a broad range of topics from design to codes to commissioning to rebates to technology and application. All courses are registered with or recognized by AIA, NCQLP, CALTCP, NLCAA, NCQLP, NALMCO, DLC, and the State of California, where LCA courses are used by community colleges. Education credit supports CALCTP and CLCP certification. Additionally, students who take all courses can receive a Certificate of Technical Knowledge, and all courses are downloadable as PDF files and also offer a one-page summary sheet.
In 2022, LCA launched two new courses: Luminaire-Level Lighting Controls and Lighting Controls and Rebates, while updating a course on California’s Title 24, Part 6 energy code.
Since the program’s inception, more than 43,000 students have enrolled in Education Express and completed more than 400,000 learning modules and some 290,000 online tests for education credit. In 2022, 2,000 new students enrolled, with all students completing 26,000 learning modules. More than 3,000 students completed a short satisfaction survey at the end of various learning modules, indicating on average they are highly satisfied with Education Express in terms of relevance to their job, clarity of content, comprehensiveness of content, and the overall program itself.
Collaboration: The LCA sponsors the Department of Energy’s Integrated Lighting Campaign, LightSpec West, and the ArchLIGHT Summit. In 2022, the LCA signed memoranda of understanding with three organizations: the DesignLights Consortium, DALI Alliance, and the National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors.
DLC recognized LCA as an education provider for lighting controls in an overall effort to promote networked lighting controls training. LCA and the DALI Alliance agreed to cross promote. And LCA and NAILD partnered on production of The Lighting Controls Podcast.
Outreach: The LCA regularly contributes to DesigningLighting, inside.Lighting, LightNOW, LEDs Magazine, LD+A, Smart Buildings Technology, and BOM, as well as conferences like LEDucation and LightFair.
What’s coming in 2023
LCA will continue its staple useful programming while expanding efforts into other useful areas.
Video production: The LCA is currently planning to return to trade shows for the first time since the pandemic to engage with exhibiting members via video production. This popular site feature enables those not attending the show to see the latest products from LCA members at their booths.
Research: The LCA is currently exploring potential topics and funding sources for critical research addressing leverage points in adoption of advanced lighting controls.
Education Express: In 2023, the LCA will update the platform to the latest version of PHP for integrity while rolling out new courses, updated courses, and for the first time video options. These video options will be narrated PowerPoint presentations available at Education Express and YouTube. Additionally, the LCA will be updating a key course on wireless control and adding two new courses on energy codes and emergency lighting control. Finally, the LCA will be redesigning all course handouts for a more professional look.
Get ready for 2023
Overall, 2022 was a terrific year for lighting control and the Lighting Controls Association as the leading education organization in this category. On behalf of the LCA, thank you for using this site and its offerings, which we hope you find useful, and get ready for even more in the new year.
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