First TECH-X Event Sets A New Standard For Industry Collaboration

Ayça Donaghy, CEO of The LIA, said:
The dedication shown by delegates, sponsors, partners, and speakers in overcoming travel disruptions to be with us is a true reflection of the passion within our sector. The LIA community is the beating heart of this industry, and TECH-X has been a powerful demonstration of that spirit.

TECH-X was created with the whole lighting industry in mind and this vision became reality. This year’s event welcomed not only lighting manufacturers and suppliers, but also M&E consultants, lighting designers, installers, specifiers, wholesalers, policymakers, and partner associations.

A highlight of the day was the keynote from Ricky Nutall, whose inspiring talk on resilience in crisis offered a powerful perspective that resonated far beyond lighting.

Key Insights from the Stages

From the Tech Talks Arena:

• Staying ahead of evolving standards, regulations, and best practices ensures products are safe, legal, and market-ready.
• Sustainability is now holistic, spanning remanufacturing, supply chain assessments, wellbeing, and environmental responsibility.
• The industry must push beyond minimum requirements – safety, ethics, and excellence should always come first.

From the Connected Lighting Stage:

• Lighting is no longer a standalone system. Integration with platforms, sensors, and data is becoming the new standard.
• Open protocols and cross-sector collaboration are critical; without them, innovation risks being stifled.
• Technology is only one part of the story – skills, competence, cybersecurity, and trust are the real differentiators.

From the Lighting Design Stage:

• Light directly impacts health, wellbeing, and neurodiverse needs. Human outcomes must take priority over technical metrics.
• Harnessing natural light remains one of the most effective ways to create inspiring and healthy spaces.
• AI and collaborative working between manufacturers and designers will shape the future roadmap for the industry.

In addition to the inspiring discussions, TECH-X spotlighted several important industry resources:

• LightingEurope’s Guidance and Information Paper on the use of lighting product standards in Europe, also covering UK-designated standards.
• The new guide “Understanding Sustainability for Lighting Products: A Guide for Customers”, authored by Irene Mazzei, helping customers make informed and sustainable choices.

The feedback from delegates has been overwhelmingly positive:

• “Thank you and the LIA for organising the event and for the warm welcome ... Looking forward to the next event!” – Luca Cancian, Lumen Radio
• “Well done Team LIA and thank you for letting me take part in your conference.” – Brendan Keely, SLL
• “Very well organised, the mix of manufacturer, designers, various organisations insights made the day very fruitful and enjoyable.” – Claudio Mauri, Hilson Moran

TECH-X 2025 has set a new benchmark for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and inspiration within the lighting industry. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and human impact, it has proven to be more than just an event – it is a platform for shaping the future of lighting.

The LIA thanks everyone who attended, contributed, and supported the inaugural TECH-X, and looks forward to welcoming the community back to future events.