IES logo without "The Lighting Authority" text

Toronto

Section

Illuminating Excellence: Advancing the Art and Science of Lighting in Toronto

We are the Toronto based section of the Illuminating Engineering Society, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to all aspects of the ART and SCIENCE of ILLUMINATION. IES has set the geographic boundaries of Toronto Section to include everything from SW Ontario to as far east as and including Kingston and north and west from Kingston to include all of Northern Ontario to Thunder Bay.

The IES is the recognized technical authority on illumination. For over a century its objective has been to communicate information on all aspects of good lighting practice to its members, to the lighting community, and to consumers through a variety of programs, publications and services. The strength of the IES is its diversified membership consisting of: engineers, architects, designers, educators, students, contractors, distributors, utility personnel, manufacturers, and scientists, all contributing to the mission of the society: to advance knowledge and disseminate information of the improvement of the lighted environment to the benefit of society.

The IES is a forum for the exchange of ideas and information and a vehicle for its members professional development and recognition. Through its committees, with hundreds of qualified members from the lighting and user communities, the IES correlates research, investigations, and discussions to guide lighting experts and laypersons via consensus-based lighting recommendations.

Contact Us

Sections Contact Form

Illuminate Your Path:

Get Involved and Stay Informed

Events

Events Search and Views Navigation

Event Views Navigation

Today

Illumination Awards

For more information about IES Awards on a National level, please click here.

Emerging Professionals

Who is an Emerging Professional?

An Emerging Professional (EP) is an individual who is still a student, or has less than 5 years of post-graduation experience in the lighting industry.

Why do I want to become an EP?

Joining the IES as an EP has numerous advantages. It will add structure to your career development and guide you away from the career freefall that many people experience. There are many avenues you can explore to get involved, it all depends on what your goals are, and how much of your time and energy you’re willing to invest.

Social

You will be introduced to the lighting industry. From other Emerging Professionals all the way up to Industry leaders and many others in between, the opportunities for meaningful networking and the resulting possibilities are endless.

Knowledge

If you’re looking to become more knowledgeable in the lighting industry we offer courses of different levels from fundamentals up to advanced. We also offer study groups for those who want to pass their test to become Lighting Certified (LC).

Leadership

If you want to learn how to become a leader of tomorrow, becoming an EP will expose you to opportunities that you won’t typically find in your job and will accelerate your career development and make you into a stand-out employee… did we mention you will have a ton of fun along the way, and you get to keep all your newly learned skills?

Are you ready to become an EP?

For those who are ready to enter the lighting industry, becoming an EP is a rewarding way to jumpstart your career while having a lot of fun in the process. More information on the Emerging Professional Program can be found by going to: https://ies.org/membership/emerging-professionals/

Apply for an EP Membership


Education

In keeping with the mission of the IES the Toronto Section offers a full calendar of educational programs that includes a variety of courses and seminars facilitated by experienced instructors, to suit various levels of lighting knowledge.

The “Fundamentals of Lighting” course offered thrice a year, provides a strong introduction to the art, science and practice of lighting and is ever popular with new lighting professionals or anyone looking for basic lighting knowledge.

For the more seasoned professional looking to move up in their career with a Lighting Certified (LC) qualification we offer the “LC Study Group” that is designed to assist those registered for the exam to prepare in a structured environment. The group gets together around mid-September every year which gives them enough time to get ready for the exam held in November. We are proud to share that we have the highest rate of success for such LC study groups anywhere.

We also offer the comprehensive “Roadway Lighting Workshop” which includes two days of instructions, a site visit and a hand-in project.

As we continue to strive to provide the latest and best education program for the lighting professional do watch out for new courses and programs to be added.

As part of your continuing development, the Toronto Section also offers a monthly Technical Luncheon Seminar where we have an industry leader come and give a talk on a current topic. These seminars are well attended and are a great opportunity to secure continuing education credits as well as network with peers.

For further details please contact our Education Chair.

Technical Luncheon Presentation Archive

The Toronto Section also offers a monthly Technical Luncheon Seminar where we have an industry leader come and give a talk on a current topic. These seminars are well attended and are a great opportunity to secure continuing education credits as well as network with peers.

We will continue to meet in Riga Hall at the Latvian Cultural Centre on the third Wednesday of the month. We are looking forward to seeing our section come together to share and celebrate lighting knowledge and advancement through in-person discussion.

We look forward to seeing you in person!

  • “It was wonderful to attend the IES luncheon in person. I forgot how great it is to be in the company of our very special lighting community. Looking forward to resuming in-person attendance in the future, so glad we’re back!” – Deborah Gottesman, Principal | Gottesman Associates.
  • “I am new to this lighting community, having completed the FOL course in early 2023. As an experienced interior designer, I am keen to continue learning about the science, technologies, and resources in the lighting world. Attending the IES luncheons in person gives me the chance to connect with lighting professionals, enhancing collaboration opportunities. I look forward to seeing what is next…” – Julie Lang, Senior Interior Designer | Salter Pilon Architecture Inc.

Presentation Archive

Scholarships

IES Toronto Section – Scholarship Programs

The Toronto Section of Illuminating Engineering Society actively promotes the lighting industry and encourages Canadian students to become part of the lighting community by offering three annual scholarship programs.

The first scholarship, “The IES Award”, is a bursary offered to three continuing education students registered in the Certificate in Lighting Design program at Ryerson University in recognition of the high achievements of the recipients.

The IES Award application form is available online on Ryerson’s continuing education website or may be obtained from The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education, Heaslip House, 297 Victoria Street.

The second scholarship, the “IES Toronto Section Scholarship”, is granted to two third year students enrolled in a lighting course at OCAD University, Faculty of Design, on the basis of high academic achievements.
Submit application to Chief Campaign Officer and Vice-President Development at OCAD University.

A third scholarship IES Scholarship is available to a student who is an Ontario resident and who requires financial help in order to pursue an education in an Ontario University or College with the goal of becoming part of the lighting community. Applicants may be referred by recognized charitable organizations, academic institutions or members of the lighting community.

Applications are to be submitted to the Scholarship Chair.

​
IES Toronto Section invests in the future of lighting industry through recognizing the need for helping and encouraging new members in joining our lighting community where they can pursue a promising and fulfilling career.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION


Membership

The IES is the oldest and largest educational and scientific society in North America devoted to lighting. Since 1906, the IES has sought to improve the lighted environment by bringing together those with lighting knowledge and by translating that knowledge into actions that benefit the public. A broad variety of programs, including publications, conferences and seminars, have been established to accomplish this mission. The IES publishes and distributes the finest lighting literature authored by committees with the most experienced minds in industry and academia today.

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY


Membership Benefits

  • Discounts on all IES publications
  • Discounts on IES Conferences, Meetings and Seminars
  • Discounts on Section Courses and Events
  • Networking through IES Section activities
  • Subscription to LD+A and LEUKOS

Sponsors

Contact Us

Sections Contact Form