Landscape Lighting Conference

JAN. 11, 2021  |  12-4 p.m. Eastern  |  1 CLVLT CEC

The future of landscape lighting is bright! If lighting is part of your business — or if you want it to be — this virtual landscape lighting conference is for you. Hear from experts in lighting as they discuss the latest trends and best practices used in the industry and see which products are put in the spotlight during our lighting product showcase.

Cost:
By Dec. 23  |  Member $99  |  Nonmember $119
After Dec. 23  |  Member $129  |  Nonmember $149
 

Register Now

Quick Links  |  Conference Schedule  |  Speakers & Panelists

Conference Schedule

Conference times are Eastern time zone. Times and schedule are subject to change.

12:00 p.m.
Welcome

12:05 p.m.
Opening Session – State of the Lighting Industry
Ryan Williams, Director of Marketing, FX Luminaire

12:30 p.m.
Panel Discussion – Shoot for the Top: How to Create & Maintain a Successful Lighting Business
Moderator: Chris Pine, President, Irritech Training Inc.
Panelists:
Michael Deo, Owner/President, NatureScape Lighting
Robert Hobart, Owner, Britescape
John Pletcher, Owner/Principal Designer, Natural Accents LLC

1:10 p.m. | Break

1:25 p.m.
Panel Discussion – Speaking From Experience: Successes & Failures
Moderator: Dan Puthuff, Director of Channel Management, Horizon Distributors Inc.
Panelists:
Jim Ply, Principal, Oak Crest Landscape
Keith Rosser, Owner, Landscape Lighting Pro of Utah
Scott Sim, Moon Glow LightScapes

2:10 p.m.
Panel Discussion – Taking It Up a Notch: Advanced Installation Techniques/Specialty Lighting
Moderator: Tom Glazener, Pacific Sports Turf Inc.
Panelists:
John Higo, Illumicare Group
Kevin Smith, National Trainer, Brilliance LED
Andy Thomas, Owner, Viewpoint Lighting 

2:55 p.m. | Break

3:10 p.m.
Landscape Lighting Technology Product Showcase
Presentations from FX Luminaire, Brilliance LED, Illumicare Group Limited and Letzgo Products Inc.

Sponsored by

Premier Sponsor

Presenting Sponsors

Speakers & Panelists

Michael Deo, CLVLT, COLD

Owner/President, NatureScape Lighting

After 20 years in recycling and remanufacturing, Michael Deo decided to pursue an education in landscape design. An introduction to lighting changed his course. He founded NatureScape Lighting in 2004 and has been very involved with the Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals and other organizations. Deo lives with his wife and two junior lighting designers in the green foothills of north-central New Jersey.

John Higo

General Manager | Illumciare Group

John Higo has been involved in the landscape lighting business for over 20 years, the past five as general manager for Illumicare Group Limited. Having a background in both theatrical lighting and landscape construction, Higo brings a unique blend of creative and technical experience to the industry. Driven by a passion for quality lighting and a strong desire to share his knowledge and experience, he has long contributed to the Landscape Ontario Lighting Sector Group, serving as both chairperson and Provincial Board Representative in the past, as well as teaching lighting courses as part of the professional development sessions. A contributing author and current member of the Landscape Lighting Committee for the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, Higo has turned his three children into “lighting snobs,” critiquing lighting scenes wherever they go! As an amateur hobby photographer, he enjoys blending his passions, photographing landscape lighting projects for friends and customers whenever he can.

Robert Hobart

Owner | Britescape

Robert Hobart was born and raised in the Seattle area. Mowing lawns for his neighbors in the 1980s was his initial entry into the landscape industry. A growing client list provided the opportunity to put himself through college at the University of Washington. While working in his client’s garden, Hobart saw something was missing — the garden needed lighting! He acquired his 06 Electricians license and his new venture, Quality Landscape Lighting, launched in 1997. In 2014, the company was rebranded to include all company services under a single name, Britescape. Since then, Britescape has grown to over 18 employees servicing clients throughout the Greater Seattle area from its Northgate headquarters. Education is an integral part of keeping Britescape at the forefront of best practices and new ideas. Hobart strives to keep on track with the latest in lighting trends and technology. Britescape and Marenakos Rock Center have partnered together to create an outdoor showroom using more than 125 lights highlighting outdoor lighting effects. Monthly meetings with local architects and designers at the Britescape lighting showroom also provide an opportunity to share the latest in lighting technology. When not in the garden, Hobart enjoys spending time with his family and enjoying the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

Chris Pine

President | Irritech Training Inc.

Chris Pine, CIC, CID, CIT, CLIA, CLWM, is the president of IrriTech Training, a resource for professional irrigation training online and in person. Prior to this, Pine worked in sales management for two major manufacturers in the irrigation industry. He earned a Bachelor of Science in business management with a concentration in economics from the University of Massachusetts – Lowell. Pine owned and operated a successful landscape and irrigation contracting business for 15 years, which was sold in 2000. He is active in many industry trade and nonprofit organizations, serving on boards and committees, as a speaker and authoring articles and books. He is recognized as an accomplished trainer and consultant. He has been an IA regional authorized instructor since 2002 and has been a member and chair of the IA Education Committee. He has been involved in writing, editing and updating several of the IA courses and educational support materials. Pine lives on Cape Cod in Massachusetts with his wife and their two sons.

John Pletcher

Owner & Principal Designer | Natural Accents Outdoor Lighting Design

John Pletcher is the owner and principal designer for Natural Accents Outdoor Lighting Design in Kansas City, Missouri. He has a degree in environmental design from the University of Colorado, Boulder and has over 24 years’ experience in exterior lighting design. Pletcher has won numerous awards from The Low Voltage Lighting Institute of the Americas and the Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals. He has also been involved with the International Landscape Lighting Institute since 2008 as a participant mentor. Natural Accents Outdoor Lighting Design has been in business 18 years and only does exterior lighting design, installation, maintenance and repair.

Jim Ply

Principal | Oak Crest Landscape

Jim Ply started Oak Crest Landscape in 1984. With over 34 years of experience, Ply creates all facets of landscape and exterior lighting design and installation for various styles of homes. His portfolio includes everything from charming cottages in Laguna Beach to the rolling estates of Beverly Hills. His award-winning designs are the result of his passion, experience, attention to detail and strong client and professional relationships. Aside from his own decades of experience, Ply has extensive education and training from leaders within the architectural landscape lighting community, such as Bill Locklin (considered the inventor and “father” of 12-volt outdoor lighting) and world-renowned lighting designer Janet Lennox Moyer. Combining his own expertise of landscape design with the lighting principles and philosophies taught by those recognized leaders, Ply utilizes light as art to create enhanced outdoor spaces. He believes that this specialization in architectural landscape lighting is immensely important to the completion of today’s landscape designs, as outdoor spaces have become true extensions of interior living spaces.
 

Dan Puthuff

Director, Channel Marketing | Horizon Distributors

Dan Puthuff is a 20-year irrigation industry veteran. He started his career with Rain Bird Corporation in sales and sales management before coming to Horizon to help manage the irrigation and outdoor living product categories. Puthuff is focused on the customer and is always looking for value-added products and services to help improve their business.

Keith Rosser

Owner | Landscape Lighting Pro of Utah

Over 25 years ago Keith Rosser followed his passion for the mountains and the “Greatest Snow on Earth” and moved his family from Southern California to Utah where he established himself as an industry leader in the landscape lighting profession. Landscape Lighting Pro services two locations in the intermountain West, Greater Salt Lake City area and the desert of St. George, Utah. Not only is LLP committed to business and team member development, but it is our dedication to excellence through unique lighting design and investment in superior quality products, along with our commitment to five-star customer service that has kept our company growing year after year.

Scott Sim

Lighting Manager | Moon Glow Lightscapes

Scott Sim has been involved in landscape lighting for over 13 years, starting his career in distribution. He has been with Moon Glow Lightscapes for over four year now. If his feelings toward lighting could be described in one word, it would be: passionate. Sim is always looking to pursue excellence and push the envelope to find new and exciting ways to create. Moon Glow are recipients of two Landscape Ontario Awards of Excellence. They are members of Landscape Ontario and the Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals. He is married to his wife Lanna and has two daughters and two stepchildren. They reside in the village of Innerkip, Ontario. In his spare time he enjoys music, writing, reading and a good road trip with Lanna.

Kevin Smith

National Trainer | Brilliance LED

With more than three and a half decades in the landscape lighting industry, Kevin Smith brings a wealth of expertise to Brilliance. Smith has worn many hats since he joined the industry in 1984. First he started in the warehouse, then he moved to counter sales, and later he served as a store manager, a contractor support specialist and a sales manager. He has been part of the Brilliance team since 2015 and is the company’s national technical support and trainer. He also contributes to Irrigation & Green Industry magazine by writing the monthly Night Lighting column. Developing relationships and assisting people with their projects has been rewarding for Smith and is what keeps him in the landscape lighting industry.

Andy Thomas

Owner | Viewpoint Lighting

Andy Thomas, CLVLT, COLD, is the owner and sole proprietor of Viewpoint Lighting, an award-winning landscape and architectural lighting design-build firm in the Sacramento region of California. Thomas has been a licensed landscape contractor in the state of California since January 2006, as well as a certified low voltage lighting technician and certified outdoor lighting designer. He is the current vice president of the Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals, as well as current COLD committee co-chair and former CLVLT committee chair.

Ryan Williams

Director of Marketing | FX Luminaire

Born with two blue eyes, Ryan Williams has needed light to see from an early age and has grown quite dependent on it. From that visual perspective, he has led product development for FX Luminaire for almost 10 years in various engineering, product management and marketing roles. Williams is Lighting Certified through the Illuminating Engineering Society and holds a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and MBA from Brigham Young University.

To access digital ads, logos and a media brief specific to this conference, go to the Landscape Lighting Media Brief dropbox.