SALC Hits a Speed Bump

September 10, 2021

If you were planning on attending the 2021 Street and Area Lighting Conference (SALC) in Atlanta next month (October 11-13), no need to cross the dates off your calendar. The show will go on — but not in person. All you’ll have to cancel are travel arrangements.

In a joint statement issued by RJ Darling, SALC Committee Chair, and Rebecca Rainer, SALC Committee Vice-Chair, the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) explained that the rising positivity rates of COVID-19 nationwide and concerns over travel restrictions led to the decision to take the gathering virtual.    

What You Need to Know

• The October 11-13 dates for SALC remain the same.
• All Conference components – general sessions, exhibition, and break-out sessions – will be online.
• The pre-Conference classes on Sunday, October 10, are cancelled.
• Registration rates are $450 for IES members and $600 for nonmembers. Online registration will remain open until the start of the Conference. (Previous registrants can expect to be contacted within the next seven days with information and instructions on how this transition impacts them and their options for refunds.)

“As always, the health and safety of the lighting community, including our members, staff, supporters, vendors and volunteers, is our top priority,” the statement read. “While this was a very difficult decision to make, it provides us with the opportunity to host a more inclusive event – enabling attendance by governmental or municipality employees and any others who are under travel restrictions, increasing our virtual exhibit hall space to allow greater participation, and providing unlimited access to interact with exhibitors throughout the duration of the event.”

Is SALC for You?

The target audience for SALC are lighting professionals who are involved in outdoor spaces and includes representatives from utility companies, municipalities, DOTs, consulting and engineering firms, research companies, manufacturing facilities, and educational institutions. Primarily focused on outdoor lighting, the conference program provides training classes, seminars, networking sessions, and an exhibit hall. Typically, attendance hails from all over the world, a factor that influenced the decision to take the forum online this year.