“LAI has now gained considerable momentum in recent months”, says Gay, “and we are extremely pleased with our progress to date. Indeed, the manner in which all sectors of the lighting industry in Ireland, and abroad, has responded has been most encouraging.
“Right from the outset LAI has had an outward-looking approach, our objective being to reach out to — and engage with — all the professionals involved in lighting. To that end we have had preliminary discussions with most of the lighting-related professional bodies and representative organisations, and have formed working relationships that will be further developed over the coming weeks and months.
“We have a firm structure of steering committees and sub-committees in place so that the various strands of our activities progress in parallel. While separate, they do not operate in isolation but maintain close contacts so that all developments proceed in tandem, and in a cohesive manner.
“For instance, our CPD programme is now well advanced and we expect to unveil a strong line-up of speakers and topics that we can roll out under the LAI banner shortly to all lighting professionals. We have had excellent engagement with the other lighting-related professional bodies on this and the intention is to conduct joint CPD events over the course of the year.
“With Brexit looming we have also looked further afield. We have had a number of discussions with the European lighting representative body and, while these will continue, we have forged a much closer relationship the Lighting Industry Association (LIA) in the UK. We see that we have a great deal in common with one another and plan to develop mutually-beneficial ties to maximise our shared strengths and interests.
“That said, LAI is also about the lighting community, the people within the industry. To that end we have become involved in the Peter Church Rememberance Golf Outing. This is a joint initiative between Peter’s wife, Louise, their daughters Megan, Olivia and Laura, Reg Farrell and LAI.
“At the request of Louise and the family it is being organised as a charity event, the objective being to raise funds for LauraLynn, Ireland’s Childrens’ Hospice, Leopardstown and Our Lady’s Hospice & Cares Services, Harold’s Cross.
“Venue is The Castle Golf Club in Dublin and the date is Friday, 22 September 2017. It is €600 to enter a team (to include golf and buffet). There are also sponsorship opportunities of €100 per tee box. Fill details are available at www.laoi.ie
“As the foregoing indicates, LAI has gained considerable momentum since its relatively recent formation, and the industry response has been tremendous. New members are coming on board at an increasing rate with LAI now firmly recognised as the voice of lighting in Ireland.”
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