Special Events + Co-Located Networking
PRO TRAINING: December 3-9, 2025
EXPO: December 7-9, 2025
LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER: West Hall
New Technology Breakfasts
Start your day with a cup of hot coffee and continental breakfast plus a sneak preview of the coolest new technology on the show floor.
Lighting & Lasers
Date & Time: Sunday, December 7 • 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Projection, Special FX, Staging, Rigging
Date & Time: Monday, December 8 • 8:00 am – 9:00 am
Audio
Date & Time: Monday, December 8 • 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Wellness
Rise and Shine 5K Walk/Run
Race Date & Time: Sunday, December 7
Meet-up Location & Start Time: Fontainebleau Las Vegas main entrance, 6:30am
Race Course Link: Confirmation email with course link and additional details to be sent via email to registrants.
Note: This course is open and not closed to traffic. Please exercise caution while participating.
***All participants must sign a liability waiver on the morning of the run.
Charity: Behind The Scenes
Join us for a meaningful stride towards positive mental health and substance use support at our annual 5K Rise and Shine Walk/Run. Lace-up your running shoes and be part of a community dedicated to making a difference. Every step counts as we come together to support a worthy cause, Behind the Scenes. Run with purpose, run with heart – let's go the extra mile for Behind The Scenes!
Behind The Scenes: Mental Health Sessions
Date & Time:
- Sunday, December 7 • 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Monday, December 8 • 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Tuesday, December 9 • 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Location: Behind The Scenes Wellness Lounge, LDI Show Floor
Visit the Behind the Scenes Wellness Lounge, a safe space to learn about mental and physical health through daily presentations, activities, training, and one-on-one consultations. You can also pick up valuable information from our Mental Health Initiative on suicide prevention, Mental Health First Aid, alcohol and substance use, bullying and harassment, and the Entertainment Industry Therapist Finder.
Foster The Future
In its innovative Foster The Future program, LDI embraces the next generation of industry professionals with special initiatives.
The main focus of Foster The Future is the fourth annual Young Career Professionals Program for those under the age of 25 and developing an interest in a career in live events design and production. Foster The Future also includes The Pat MacKay Diversity In Design Scholarships and LDI's production assisant program.
Career Fair
Dates:
Sunday, December 7, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Monday, December 8, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tuesday, December 9, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Locations: LDI Expo Floor
LDI Portfolio & Website Review, Lighting & Projection
Date & Time: Monday, December 8 • 1:00pm – 4:00pm
All students and young professionals are invited to participate in the LDI Portfolio and Website Review. Bring your portfolio and/or digital device to get tips one-on-one from the industry's top professionals. Co-moderated by Brackley Frayer and Deanna Fitzgerald. All participants will get a code for a free LDI expo hall pass.
Pat MacKay Diversity in Design Scholarship Ceremony
Date & Time: Tuesday, December 9, 9am-10am as part of the LDI 2025 Awards Ceremony
Support diversity and inclusion as we acknowledge and celebrate the 2025 recipients of the 7th annual Pat MacKay Diversity In Design Scholarships, sponsored by LDI.
Partners:
Awards
LDI Booth and Product Awards Breakfast
Date & Time:
Tuesday December 9, 2025
8:45am Doors Open
9:00 – 10:00am Ceremony
Location: Battle of the Busk Stage (LDI Show Floor)
In an all-new breakfast format, the LDI 2025 Booth and Best Debuting Product Awards will honor technological advances in new products from our exhibitors and those companies who excel in their booth design.
The LDI Awards are presented to the best debuting products launched at LDI 2024 or available for the first time in the United States on the LDI 2024 trade show floor. Our panel of industry experts will evaluate these new products, with an eye towards cutting-edge technology. All exhibitors are invited to nominate products in the following categories: Lighting, Projection, Staging and Rigging, Audio, Special Effects, and Widgets. Please note: For the debuting lighting products, there is a new category for architectural lighting fixtures this year. Please make sure to indicate if your new lighting product is for the architectural market.
In addition, LDI will present its fifth annual Sustainability Award for a product or initiative that promotes a greener future, addresses climate change, or promotes sustainable energies.
There are also booth awards for Best Small Booth, Best Big Booth, Most Creative Use of Light, and Best Product Presentation.
The Awards breakfast is free to all LDI attendees and exhibitors, but please be sure to RSVP in the registration options (when you register or you can go back and add to your badge).
Networking
LDIndustry Party + Battle of the Busk Competition
Date & Time: Monday, December 8, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: LDI Circle Bar and Battle of the Busk Stage
Experience the ultimate showdown between lighting and video jockeys as they compete in the Battle of the Busk. Vote for your favorite lighting and video team. Then reunite with old friends, colleagues, and make new ones at LDIndustry Party. Meet us at the Circle Bar for beverages immediately after the Battle of the Busk.
Mentoring Meet Up Networking Event
Date: Monday December 8th, 4:00pm-5:00pm
Location: Career Fair Booth on the LDI Expo Floor.
All LDI attendees are invited to our Mentoring Meet Up , on Monday, December 8 from 3:30pm-4pm at the Circle Bar on the LDI show floor. Network directly with your peers, meet industry veterans, and share tips, tricks and questions. The perfect chance to build new relationships in an informal setting. Beverages and a chance to win prizes included. We will all gather and have a casual networking mentoring meet up. Attendees take a Topic Card (see below) at their arrival with what they are interested in talking about. Mentors will be aligned with a topic they feel strong mentorship with. We’ll stand in a circle, start with a quick icebreaker, then hold up the cards to see the commonality. From this, smaller groups are formed where our mentors and mentees can align together.
LDI After Dark Clubs
Las Vegas opens its arms – and dance floors – to LDI and DSE attendees. Present your LDI or DSE badge for free entry into the hottest clubs in town. It’s the perfect way to check out the gear as you dance the night away. Each night will have exclusive VIP expedited entry and access to special VIP table booking options.
After Dark Club Schedule TBC.
Sponsored by:
Expo Hall Sessions
Diversity: A Discussion About Equity And Inclusion
Date & Time: Sunday, December 7 • 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Location: ConNEXTions Café
A serious conversation on the need for increased diversity, equity, and inclusion in the live events industry, is an important issue the industry continues to face, and there is so much more to learn. How to engage and commit! Moderated by lighting/projection designer Roma Flowers.
Podcasts
The Lumen Brothers Light Talk Podcast Live at LDI
Date & Time: Sunday December 7, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Location: Podcast Studio W326
The Light Talk podcast (now in its 9th year) features seasoned professional lighting designers and educators — the original three Lumen Brothers Steve Woods (SMU), Stan Kaye (emeritus University of Florida), David Jacques (emeritus California State University Long Beach), plus Brackley Frayer (emeritus UNLV) as well as designer Zak Borovay, and honorary Lumen Sisters Ellen Lampert-Gréaux (LDI/Live Design) and Ann McMills (San Diego State University)—who discuss the latest topics and developments in the world of entertainment and architectural lighting design and offer sage, and sometimes controversial advice to professionals and students of lighting design. Nothing is Taboo, Nothing is Sacred, and they can be as silly as they are informative. Join us for a live taping and toss out questions and topics at LDI.
