Anthony R. Phelps
Vice Commissioner Programming, Lighting Commission

I hope you all had a great time in Toronto at the conference. With 15 sessions from the Lighting Commission on a variety of topics, conference attendees had many choices available. We had great attendance at these sessions, especially in the Lighting Commission I and II meetings where many ideas for programming for the 2006 conference in Louisville came out.

I would like to thank the many people in the Lighting Commission who made the programming for Toronto possible. First, I need to thank Buddy Combs, Rich Dunham, Deb Lockwood, Robin Schraft, Todd Studebaker, Vicki Scott, Steve Shelley, Michael Ramsaur, Sabrina Hamilton, and Tom Schraeder. Many people in the Lighting Commission worked together to make these sessions possible.

The session chairs dedicate many hours to developing a session, submitting information, and finding panelists. A big thank you also goes out to the many individuals who came to Toronto to be panelists and presenters. You cannot measure the value of the information these individuals impart. Next I must thank the leadership of the Lighting Commission for allowing me the opportunity to be the Vice-Commissioner of Programming.

This has been a great experience for me and I have enjoyed working with all of you. A special thanks goes to Rich Dunham who mentored me through this process. Finally, I want to thank all of you who came to the sessions. Your enthusiasm and participation inspire us to continue presenting quality programming.

There are a few more people that the Lighting Commission needs to thank. A big round of applause goes to ESTA for its support providing meeting rooms to the commission leadership, the young professional sessions, and reception. A special thanks goes to Rosco for its co-sponsorship of Distinguished Lighting Designer Luc Lafortune. Finally, thank you to The Gilbert Hemsley Jr. Internship Program which co-sponsored the travel of several panelists for the Dance Lighting for the New Lighting Designer session.

Looking ahead to 2006 in Louisville, the Lighting Commission will have another Light Lab in which a number of our sessions will take place. We will be looking for adult and student volunteers to help work the Light Lab in various capacities; contact someone in the Lighting Commission to find out how to help. This is a great way to get to know people in the commission.

If you are interested in getting involved as a panelist next year, contact one of the commission leaders. Let them know your interest and expertise, and they can pass your name on to the session chairs. The Lighting Commission works because so many people bring their talent and energy to these sessions. So get involved and we will see you in Louisville!

To Top