What's New > A.C. Americas Launches the Lighting Community Collective
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A.C. Americas Launches the Lighting Community Collective — A New Gathering Place for the Lighting Industry
First-ever quarterly event brings designers, programmers, integrators, students, and educators together for an afternoon of connection, learning, and inspiration.
MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO, August 4, 2026 — A.C. Americas is inviting the lighting community to something the industry hasn't had before: a room with no sales pitch, no product launch, and no agenda except the people in it.
On Thursday, August 27, 2026, from 3:00 to 7:00 PM, A.C. Americas will host the inaugural Lighting Community Collective at its Mississauga headquarters (565 Orwell Rd) — a quarterly gathering built for lighting designers, programmers, production professionals, integrators, consultants, educators, students, and anyone who lives and breathes light.
"The best ideas in our industry don't come out of meeting rooms or trade show floors," states Rob Deslauriers, Industry Veteran. "They come out of conversations between people who share a passion for creating remarkable experiences. That's what the Collective is for."
One community. One industry. Stronger together.
The Collective is organized around three simple ideas:
- CONNECT — Build new relationships and reconnect with friends and colleagues from across the industry.
- LEARN — Share ideas, techniques, and emerging trends through open conversation and guest speakers.
- INSPIRE — Celebrate creativity and encourage one another as the community shapes the future of lighting.
Featured Keynote Speaker
The first Collective welcomes Mikael Kangas, a lighting designer whose credits span opera, theatre, dance, and film. His recent work includes Wozzeck, Madama Butterfly, and Nabucco with the Canadian Opera Company; Anything Goes, My Fair Lady, and Die Walküre; and productions with Mirvish, the Shaw Festival, Drayton Entertainment, and Edmonton Opera. Mikael serves as Lighting & Projection Design Coordinator for the Canadian Opera Company and is a member of the Associated Designers of Canada and United Scenic Artists.
Full bio: mikaelkangaslighting.com/bio
"We're hosting, not presenting," Rob noted. "The conversation belongs to the room, and this Collective belongs to the community."
Event Details
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What |
Lighting Community Collective — inaugural gathering |
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When |
Thursday, August 27, 2026 · 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
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Where |
A.C. Americas, 565 Orwell Rd, Mississauga, Ontario (map) |
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Includes |
Guest speaker, open conversation, networking, light appetizers, and beverages |
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Cost |
Free to attend, Registration Required. |
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Reserve your spot |
Space is limited to keep the conversation genuine and the room comfortable — early registration is encouraged.
Why Now
The lighting industry spans design, programming, integration, education, and production — disciplines that rarely share a room outside of a trade show floor or a project deadline. The Lighting Community Collective was created to close that gap: a recurring, no-agenda space where the community can trade ideas as peers, not as vendors and clients.
This first gathering marks the beginning of a quarterly series. A.C. Americas plans to rotate keynote speakers and topics each quarter, shaped by what the community wants to talk about next. Your ideas matter.
Community Supporting Charity
Community is important to A.C. Americas, and we know you think so, too. That's why we're raising funds and awareness for the AFC, a national charity dedicated to helping people in Canada's performing arts and entertainment industry maintain their health, dignity, and ability to work.
AFC supports performers, crew members, musicians, dancers, designers, technicians, and other industry professionals through emergency financial assistance, personalized support, short-term counselling, Mental Health First Aid training, and expert-led, industry-focused workshops on financial & mental wellness and career sustainability.
Donations will be accepted at the event, and A.C. Americas will donate to AFS, improving the impact for the AFC. Learn more: https://afchelps.ca. A member from the AFC will be in attendance to tell you more about how they help the lighting industry.
About A.C. Americas
A.C. Americas is the host and organizer of the Lighting Community Collective, committed to building genuine connection across the lighting industry through recurring, community-driven events.