ArchLIGHT Summit: Full Schedule

To learn more about ArchLIGHT Summit, please visit www.archlightsummit.com.

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10:00am CDT

AI as a Lighting Designer’s Assistant: Practical Tools for Analysis, Comparison, and Clarity

Tuesday September 15, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am CDT

AI is already showing up in the lighting industry—sometimes in places designers don’t even see—so this session takes a practical, no-hype look at how lighting designers can use AI as an assistant rather than a threat. Instead of focusing on futuristic promises, the talk centers on real-world design tasks and the importance of asking the right questions, exploring how thoughtful prompts and well-defined inputs allow AI to support analysis, comparison, and documentation while keeping design authorship firmly in human hands. Through candid examples and lessons learned, the session highlights where AI actually helps (and where it absolutely doesn’t), offering a grounded, approachable conversation about using these tools strategically to save time, reduce friction, and stay in control as the profession evolves.

Speakers

Ardra Zinkon, CLD, IALD

President, Director of Lighting Design, Zinkon Creative Studio

Ardra Paige Zinkon, CLD, IALD is President and Director of Lighting Design at Zinkon Creative Studio, a certified WBE firm specializing in architectural lighting and technology design. Designing professionally since 1997, she is known for balancing technical precision with creative... Read More →

Tuesday September 15, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am CDT
TBA

Practical, Seminar

CEU Type AIA, IDCEC
Audience Architect, Engineer, Lighting Designer
Level Advanced, Beginner, Intermediate
Session Track Design Innovation + Emerging Practice, Practice + Collaboration

12:00pm CDT

Digital Practice Management with BIM Focus

Tuesday September 15, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm CDT

TBA

BIM is transforming how architects, lighting designers, and manufacturers collaborate and manage projects. This session will explore how digital practice management helps firms streamline workflows, improve coordination, and maintain strong BIM standards. Attendees will learn how to develop efficient BIM templates, train teams effectively, and integrate BIM into their lighting and architectural workflows. Through real-world examples, we’ll show how structured BIM implementation can reduce inefficiencies, enhance teamwork, and improve project outcomes.

Speakers

Samuel Mikhail

Managing Director, 4Ideal Design

Over the past decade, Sam has worked with more than 50 architecture, interior and lighting design firms, as well as construction companies, to implement BIM technologies. Sam began his career as an architect, and transitioned to the BIM consulting during the early days of architecture... Read More →

Andrea Lynn

NCIDQ, IIDA, 4Ideal Design

Andrea is a dedicated member of 4 Ideal Design (4iD), bringing her diverse expertise in interior and lighting design to the team. With seven years of experience in the design industry, Andrea’s career began at a large architecture, interiors, and engineering firm, where she worked... Read More →

Susy Mikhail

Co-Founder | Services Direct | Digital Practice Architect, 4ideal Design

Susy has more than 11 years of architecture experience. She’s an expert in the creation and implementation of Architecture BIM Standards, and has extensive knowledge of New York City documentation requirements and multifamily Revit workflows.Her hands-on experience as an architect... Read More →

Tuesday September 15, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm CDT
TBA

Practical, Seminar

CEU Type AIA, IDCEC
Audience Architect, Engineer, Interior Designer, Landscape Architect, Lighting Designer, End User
Level Intermediate, Beginner, Advanced
Session Track Technical Fundamentals + Standards, Practice + Collaboration

2:00pm CDT

Who Is the Integrator—and Why Your Lighting Project Depends on Them

Tuesday September 15, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT

TBA

As lighting control systems become more sophisticated, the role of the controls integrator has become increasingly important—yet often misunderstood by design teams. This session explains what a lighting controls integrator actually does and why their involvement can be critical to project success. Attendees will learn how integrators bridge the gap between architectural intent, engineering documentation, and field execution, helping to coordinate complex systems, resolve issues during commissioning, and protect lighting quality. Through real-world examples, the presentation highlights common project challenges that arise when integrator roles are unclear or introduced too late, and how early collaboration can reduce risk, improve system performance, and support long-term operation. This session provides lighting designers, architects, and engineers with practical insight into when and how integrators can save time, preserve design intent, and deliver lighting control systems that perform as intended throughout the life of the building.

Speakers

Chris Leffel

Architectural Regional Manager, South, ETC

Chris Leffel is the South Architectural Regional Sales Manager at ETC, where he leads strategic engagement and specification efforts across the Southern U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean from his home base in Orlando. He joined ETC in 2023, bringing deep industry experience and... Read More →

Tuesday September 15, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm CDT
TBA

Practical, Seminar

CEU Type AIA, IDCEC
Audience Architect, Engineer, Interior Designer, Lighting Designer
Level Beginner, Intermediate
Session Track Technical Fundamentals + Standards

3:00pm CDT

Confessions of an Old School Lighting Auditor

Tuesday September 15, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm CDT

TBA

When upgrading a facility or exterior space with a new lighting system, capturing the existing conditions is absolutely fundamental to the success of any retrofit project. Without an accurate assessment, lighting practitioners cannot possibly deliver an effective retrofit cost and savings proposal. Join us as we explore the proven process of collecting existing conditions and maximizing the chances for a successful project.

Speakers