March 30th: The Austin IES (with additional support from Austin Energy Green Building) presents: Lighting and Public Policy, 11:30-1:30 at the Mexican American Cultural Center . Panel Speakers: Kathy Abernathy, IALD President, John Martin, IALD Public Policy Director, Robert Horner, IES Public Policy Director.

To Register, go to http://www.tcsiesna.org/ . Meeting Charge is $10 for professionals, $5 for students. Light snacks and drinks will be available or you can bring your lunch.

In 2009, those of us who practice Lighting Design in Texas (including independent lighting designers , those in sales, retail, and theatrical/ entertainment) found ourselves in the unenviable position of having to justify our existence to the Texas Legislator when a senator introduced language making only licensed professionals (Architects, Engineers, etc.) able to practice Lighting Design. Everyone who watched and participated in the craziness 2 years ago may remember that the International Assoc. of Lighting Designers and specifically, IALD Public Policy Director John Martin, had a major impact on convincing the TX Lege to remove the Lighting Designer language from TX HB 2649.
We are pleased to announce that Mr. Martin and IALD President, Kathy Abernathy will be here in Texas to present a 'State of the Union' on Lighting and Public Policy. This will include how the IALD is currently affecting all aspects of public policy including codes, dark sky legislation, energy policies, and of course, credentialing/licensing.
In addition, the Illuminating Engineering Society has also added their own Director of Public Policy, Bob Horner. This is a new full-time staff position for the IES, deemed necessary due to the increasing amount of Federal and State regulatory activity in lighting and continued pressure to reduce code-specified building lighting power densities. Bob is also charged with keeping the IES membership and Board regularly informed about these issues and building relationships with related societies and trade associations.
We are excited to have the IALD President and the Public Policy Directors from both groups here in Austin and we hope you will join us for this most important topic.