Conference
The Lightning Protection Industry Conference
February 20-22, 2024 | The DeSoto | Savannah, GA
Save the Date!
February 17-19, 2026 - Sarasota, Florida
Registration is Now Open!
February 17-19, 2026 | The Westin | Sarasota, FL
Building on INNOVATE (2024) and INSPIRE (2025), ELEVATE 2026 will define ways to use this momentum to raise our industry to the next level.
At this conference, we'll gain new information, hear industry updates, and connect with leaders to turn collective insight into action that ELEVATES our teams, our businesses, and our industry.
Check out the Event Schedule.
Sponsorships
The new sponsorship program was introduced in 2025 as a response to the increase in demand for sponsorship opportunities and to manage the rising costs of hotel and entertainment.
THE MEMBER XCHANGE
When members share success stories, industry challenges, and lessons learned, we can utilize our collective expertise to ELEVATE our work and our industry.
We are looking for individuals to share:
- Success Story
- Present an Industry Challenge
- Present an Opportunity
- Lesson Learned / Advice
- Submit a Question to be answered: Is there a challenge in the field or to the industry: design, installation, quoting, collaboration with other trades?... submit the question and get feedback from the conference attendees.
Interested in sharing?
Click below to see "How the LPI Member Exchange will work" and more details. Whether you're joining us in person or from afar, there are multiple ways for you to share your ideas and insights with the group.
For questions and/or request to share at the conference, please contact Kelley Collins at kcollins@lightning.org.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Will Bowen
Executive Coach, International Speaker, Author
Will Bowen is the founder of the worldwide Complaint Free® movement, inspiring over 15 million people across the globe to take his 21-Day Complaint Free challenge. A bestselling author of five internationally acclaimed books, Will has been featured by NBC’s Today Show, People, Forbes, Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, and even Chicken Soup for the Soul. His clients include global leaders such as Volvo, Kimberly-Clark, and The Million Dollar Roundtable. (Maybe this part goes under keynote heading - or maybe even after what he will talk about at the conference)
At our conference, he will show how reducing complaints is more than a mindset shift—it’s a strategy that transforms organizations. Complaining drains productivity, damages culture, erodes trust, and costs companies in profits, retention, and customer loyalty. By learning to recognize the real motivation behind complaints and how to effectively address them, leaders and teams can:
- Build stronger, more positive workplace cultures
- Improve employee retention and reduce burnout
- Strengthen customer relationships and increase sales
- Sharpen focus on future opportunities rather than past mistakes
MEET THE SPEAKERS
Industry Leaders and Experts
Tim Harger
Lightning Protection Institute
Executive Director
Parker Willard
Boston Lightning Rod Company, Inc.
President ULPA Board
Kelley Collins
Lightning Protection Institute
Director of Business Development & Communications
Renee Landers
Bonded Lightning Protection Systems, Ltd.
Vice-President ULPA Board
Bryan Holland
NEMA – National Electrical Manufacturers Association
Senior Technical Field Rep – S. Region
Dr. Carlos Mata
Scientific Lightning Solutions
Chief Technology Office
Brandon Smoak
LPI-IP
Program Engineer
Gary Flom
Intertek
Service Line Leader
Megan Roberts
Intertek
Program Coordinator
Mitchell Guthrie
Independent Engineering Consultant
Gregg Wong
AEMC
Technical Product Trainer
Chadwick Collins
SPRI (Single Ply Roofing Industry)
Technical Director
EXHIBITORS & TRAINING
New This Year: Exhibitor packages and increased visibility options for Suppliers, Manufacturers & Industry Partners.
Whether you can join us on-site or need to participate from afar, we've added flexible ways to get your brand in front of industry decision-makers. Choose an exhibitor package for in-person presence, layer on add-ons for more reach, or select exposure options even if you can't attend. Either way, you'll maintain high visibility with our audience throughout the event.
For opportunities and pricing, please contact Kelley Collins at kcollins@lightning.org.
LIVE! Demo
By Milwaukee Tool
Ground Resistance Testing Refresher
Tuesday, February 11, 2025 - 10am to 4pm
Subjects covered:
- Resistance testing basics
- Electrode concepts
- Hands-on electrode testing methods covered
- Fall-of-Potential testing
- Variants of F-o-P and clamp-on
- Equipotential "point to point" testing
Lunch is provided
Cost is $250 per person with code LPIMEM25
**Giving away a ground test instrument kit to a seminar attendee!**
SPONSORSHIPS
Thanks to our Sponsors!
All sponsors will receive recognition on the LPI website, social media, and at the conference.
PLATINUM
$10,000
GOLD
$5000
Exclusive
$3500 - $4500
Premium
$2500
Standard
$1000 - $1500
Standard
$500 - $750
Check out all of the sponsorship options for the 2026 Conference.
This new program reflects last year’s increase in demand for sponsorship opportunities as well as helps manage the rising costs of hotel and entertainment. It’s designed to enhance and increase visibility for sponsors and our members before, during, and after the conference. Ultimately, this program supports and promotes the innovative work being done in our industry.
TESTING
Now that the LPI testing is proctored online for the Journeyman, Master Installer, and Master Installer/Designer certifications, we will only be offering "in-person" testing for the Designer Inspector certification exams. For those who attend the conference, testing discounts will still apply for all certifications: online and in-person.
- Master Installer Series (JI / MI / MID):
- Receive a reduced rate of $250 if you attend the conference
- Test can be taken at any time
- Designer Inspector Series (DI):
- Pre-register for testing at the conference
- No proctor fee and test costs are 50%
- Please see the Certification section of our website for specific eligibility requirements
The Countdown Begins!
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Date
Feb 17-19, 2026
-
Time
All of the Day
-
Location
The Westin Sarasota, 100 Marina View Drive, Sarasota, FL 34236
-
Date
Feb 14 – 16, 2023
-
Time
All of the Day
-
Location
Luminary Hotel,
2200 Edwards Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33901
Who will win the LPI
Most Innovative Design Award 2023?
Sami Akkawi
Giovanetti Shulman Associates
Mike Dillon
Bonded Lightning Protection
Kent Key
Key Custom Home, Inc.
Heath Howe & Renee Landers
Bonded Lightning Protection Systems, Ltd.
Michael Riggs
RTA Architects
Bret Peifer
Mr. Lightning
The purpose of the Most Innovative Design Awards is to provide recognition to LPI Members and an outside individual or firm for their collaboration on the design and installation of a lightning protection system. Awards are given to a person/firm that demonstrated early coordination with an LPI professional to design an innovative solution to improve the aesthetics of the lightning protection system on a noteworthy structure.
