First TECH-X event sets a new standard for industry collaboration

The first-ever TECH-X 2025 has been hailed a success, uniting the entire lighting sector under one roof. Despite the challenges posed by the London travel disruption, the determination of attendees shone through, proving once again that the strength of our industry lies in its people.

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!” said Luca Cancian, Lumen Radio.
• “Well done Team LIA and thank you for letting me take part in your conference,” said Brendan Keely, SLL.
• “Very well organised, the mix of manufacturer, designers, various organisations insights made the day very fruitful and enjoyable,” said 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.