About IES

HISTORY
Established in 1906, the IES is the recognized technical and educational authority on illumination. For over one hundred years its objective has been to communicate information on all aspects of good lighting practice to its members, to the lighting community, and to consumers through a variety of programs, publications, and services. The strength of the IES is its diversified membership: engineers, architects, designers, educators, students, contractors, distributors, utility personnel, manufacturers, and scientists, all contributing to the mission of the Society: to improve the lighted environment by bringing together those with lighting knowledge and by translating that knowledge into actions that benefit the public.

The IES is a forum for the exchange of ideas and information and a vehicle for its members’ professional development and recognition. Through its technical committees, with hundreds of qualified members from the lighting and user communities, the IES correlates research, investigations, and discussions to guide lighting experts and laypersons via research-and consensus-based lighting recommendations.

The Ottawa Section received its charter from the Society in 1943.

It began during the height of World War II. Even amidst the turmoil of the conflict, a group of dedicated lighting practitioners felt a need to meet to share best practices and stay on top of the many developments of emerging lighting technologies. At that time, Linear fluorescents were a new product, having been introduced to the world at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York.

As for lighting in Ottawa, our local Section has provided our members and others interested in lighting quality a forum to share ideas through guest speaker presentations and the delivery of lighting education. Our members enjoy opportunities to meet and network with like-minded individuals with whom they share best practices and lessons learned.

Since Warren (Monty) Montabone served as the first president of our Section he has been succeeded by more than 50 others, all of whom have contributed to shaping the local lighting landscape.