Conference
The Lightning Protection Industry Conference
February 16-18, 2027 | Emeline | Charleston, SC
Advancing Ideas. Fueling Progress.
**PLEASE BE ADVISED that our negotiated room block at The Westin is now fully reserved. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding.
For alternative accommodations, we strongly encourage guests to check their hotel loyalty program rates (e.g., Marriott, IHG) to secure the best available pricing. Additionally, we recommend considering other highly-rated hotels within walking distance of The Westin, including:
Aloft Sarasota (Marriott property)
Voco Sarasota (IHG property)
Embassy Suites by Hilton Sarasota
Art Ovation Hotel (Marriott Autograph)
How we got to IGNITE
One cycle. Four phases. Always moving forward.
INNOVATE (2024) — New ideas, new approaches, new ways of working.
INSPIRE (2025) — Sharing that work so more people get involved.
ELEVATE (2026) — Seeing the results of everyone's involvement.
IGNITE (2027) — Recognizing what's worked, celebrating it, and fueling the next cycle.
Each phase builds on the last. IGNITE doesn't end the cycle. It powers the next one.
Why this year is different.
This is the year it all comes together.
For three years, we've been building something. In 2024 we set out to INNOVATE. In 2025 we set out to INSPIRE and brought more people into the work. In 2026 we set out to ELEVATE, and we saw it pay off: more awareness of our industry, stronger member engagement, adjacent industries reaching out, and growing interest from the technical community.
IGNITE 2027 is where that cycle comes full circle. We'll look at what's working, celebrate the people and companies who made it happen, and put all of that energy to work fueling the next cycle of innovation and results.
New format. New education tracks. New ways to connect. Charleston in February.
You'll want to be in the room for this one!
What's new in 2027
You told us. We listened.
After the 2026 conference, you told us what mattered most: understanding what's happening across the industry, finding ways to improve your business, and, above all, the chance to reconnect with old friends and meet new people. Those relationships are the heart of this industry, and they're what renew our energy for another year. IGNITE 2027 is built around all three.
Education Afternoon — A brand-new afternoon of focused learning with two tracks. Choose the Business Track for growing and running your company, or the Technical Track for design and maintenance considerations. Geared toward our Professional Division, it focuses on building enhanced tools for the industry, like risk assessment, and identifying areas that need further research and support.
A Night at the Aquarium — Wednesday evening. An unforgettable night of networking and our annual awards, set among the exhibits of the South Carolina Aquarium.
The Power Lunch — Our energetic close to the conference. Lunch, cocktails, and networking focused on what's next.
Networking that matters — More time built in to connect and share ideas.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
What Does It Take to Perform Like a Champion?
Meet Aaron Davis
Aaron Davis
Author and Speaker
Aaron Davis learned what it takes to win long before he won a national championship. At age eight, he was mopping floors and emptying trash cans beside his father, a janitor. There he learned that it’s not what you do, it’s how you do it. That lesson carried him to the 1994 National Champion Nebraska football team, into corporate America and business ownership, and through surviving cancer.
Aaron shows audiences how a positive, champion-minded attitude can transform the way they work, lead, and live. He has shared his energy and message with more than a million people, at organizations from Walmart and ConAgra to Penn State and Texas A&M.
Get ready - his message will stay with you long after the conference!
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
Chadwick Collins
SPRI (Single Ply Roofing Industry)
Technical Director
Gary Flom
Intertek
Service Line Leader
Megan Roberts
Intertek
Program Coordinator
Mitchell Guthrie
Independent Engineering Consultant
Gregg Wong
AEMC
Technical Product Trainer
SPONSORSHIPS
Put your brand at the center of what's next.
Our updated sponsorship program has given companies more ways to stand out before, during, and after the conference. Sponsors are recognized on the LPI website, across social media, and on-site, and they help make this event possible.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2027 SPONSORS!
PLATINUM
$10,000
GOLD
$5000
Exclusive
$3500 - $4500
Premium
$2500
Standard
$1000 - $1750
Standard
$500 - $750
Check out all of the sponsorship options for the 2026 Conference.
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.
EXHIBITOR & ADVERTISING OPTIONS
Get in front of the people who specify, install, and buy.
Suppliers, manufacturers, and industry partners can choose an in-person exhibitor package, add on extra visibility, or select advertising options even if you can't attend. Either way, your brand stays in front of industry decision-makers throughout the event.
LIVE! Demo
By Milwaukee Tool
The Countdown Begins!
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Date
Feb 16-18, 2027
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Time
8:00am-5:00pm
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Location
Emeline,
181 Church Street, Charleston, SC 29401
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Date
Feb 14 – 16, 2023
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Time
All of the Day
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Location
Luminary Hotel,
2200 Edwards Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33901
