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Event Schedule Released for Inaugural Design + Build Day at Lightovation
In anticipation of the debut of Design + Build Day at Lightovation on Tuesday, June 17, Dallas Market Center (DMC) has developed a slate of programming created specifically for interior designers, architects, and builders. Expanding upon the popular Interior Designer Preview Day at previous editions of Lightovation, this dedicated event invites the broader design and build community to participate in a full day of curated experiences, educational sessions, and guided showroom tours.
Taking place inside the Dallas Market Center, Design + Build Day will offer attendees access to expert panels, trend insights, product innovation, and exclusive networking opportunities within the Lightovation trade event.
Design + Build Day is free to attend for qualified trade professionals. To register, click here.
“Design + Build Day is a unique opportunity to welcome a broader community of professionals – from designers and architects to builders – into an immersive environment where inspiration and learning take center stage,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO of DMC. “It’s more than just exploring new products; it’s about gaining valuable insights from industry leaders, fostering meaningful connections, and experiencing the future of design and construction under one roof.”
Keynote
The Keynote event of Design + Build Day, Future Forward Hospitality Lighting Design, features a panel discussion with global design powerhouse Gensler associates, as well as other top lighting design professionals. Recently named the #1 firm on Interior Design magazine’s 2025 Top 100 Giants list, Gensler is widely regarded as the most admired and influential design firm in the world. As producers of the Design Forecast 2025, Gensler will share insights on the top global design trends shaping the future of the built environment, along with forward-thinking experts, offering attendees a rare, front-row look at where design is headed next.
Moderator:
o Alexis Cousby, RID, NCIDQ, Fitwel Ambassador | Gensler
Panelists:
o Jake Groth-Kyle, AIA, NCARB, Fitwel Ambassador, LEED Green Assoc. | Gensler
o Brittany Martin, National Specification Sales | Commercial Lighting Industries
o Jacob Gerber, IALD, CLD, Partner, Director of Dallas Studio | Essential Light Design Studio
Events
Participants can look forward to a day filled with design-focused education, trend tours, expert panels, and exclusive networking opportunities — plus a first look at the newest products and styles debuting at Lightovation. The day of education will conclude with AfterGlow: A Design + Build Progressive happy hour.
Tuesday, June 17
• 10 AM – Breakfast & Design with Hubbardton Forge: Design Experts talk Custom Lighting Solutions | TM 3725 – Hubbardton Forge Explore what can truly be customized, how to integrate lighting into the design process, and key installation considerations. Experts will share examples of how custom lighting has transformed spaces and solved design challenges, offering valuable insights for designers and builders looking to harness the power of customization. Join us for a conversation that will shed light on how to harness the power of customization to transform any space.
• 11 AM – Future Forward Hospitality Lighting Design | TM 4 – Elevator Lobby. Discover the future of hospitality design as industry experts deliver a forward-thinking discussion on the transformative role of lighting to create authentic and immersive environments. From sustainable materials to innovative digital integration, learn how lighting shapes mood, tells a story, and elevates spaces into impactful, sensory-rich experiences.
Moderator: Alexis Cousby, RID, NCIDQ, Fitwel Ambassador | Gensler
Panelists:
o Jake Groth-Kyle, AIA, NCARB, Fitwel Ambassador, LEED Green Assoc. | Gensler
o Brittany Martin, National Specification Sales | Commercial Lighting Industries
o Jacob Gerber, IALD, CLD, Partner, Director of Dallas Studio | Essential Light Design Studio
• 12 PM – Lunch with WAC | TM 3101 Join fellow exhibitors for a midday break and networking over lunch. Presented by WAC
• 1 PM – The Power of Light: Why Lighting Designers Are Essential to Every Project | TM 4 – Elevator Lobby Lighting is more than just illumination—it’s a fundamental element of design. This panel explores the critical role of lighting experts in enhancing residential and commercial projects.
Moderator: James Adams, AIA, RIBA, Vice President | Corgan
Panelists:
o Jill Klores, FIES, CLD, IALD, LC, Partner | Essential Light Design Studio
o Michael Janicek, IES, Senior Lighting Designer – Senior Associate | Corgan
• 2 PM – Patti Carpenter Reports: Global Lighting Trends from EuroLuce 2025 | TM 4926 – International Pavilion Global trends expert Patti Carpenter presents an exclusive look at the latest innovations and movements in lighting from EuroLuce 2025, with a focus on exterior illumination and sustainable design.
• 3 PM – LIGHTOVATION: Outdoor Lighting Trends & Innovations Tour with Patti Carpenter | TM 4926 – International Pavilion Join Patti Carpenter and Ginger Hartford for an immersive tour showcasing the latest outdoor lighting solutions designed to balance aesthetics, functionality, and environmental responsibility.
• 4 PM – AfterGlow: A Design + Build Happy Hour | TM 3 & 4 – Select Lighting Showrooms Wind down with AfterGlow, a dynamic happy hour featuring curated cocktails, light bites, and premium networking inside select lighting showrooms.
In addition to Design + Build Day, designers are invited to attend Lightovation, June 18-21, which will feature new products, inspiring events, educational sessions, and celebrations with industry professionals in the business of lighting.
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