The Connector
The Connector
Connecting Lightning Protection Professionals with
Allied Industries & Innovators
Inaugural Issue
Launching June 21, 2026 during Lightning Safety Awareness Week
Lightning protection doesn't happen in isolation…
and neither should the conversation around it.
The Connector is a new cross-industry publication from the Lightning Protection Institute, bringing together the professionals, perspectives, and real-world experience of every discipline that touches a structure. The result is a shared resource where insights from across industries live in one place… sparking conversation, bridging knowledge gaps, and unlocking the kind of cross-disciplinary thinking that moves everyone forward.
The inaugural issue centers on one powerful theme: Collaboration.
We're inviting practitioners across industries to share what they've learned when disciplines align — and what's at stake when they don't. We also welcome innovations or changes in your industry that could spark new thinking across disciplines.
Ways to Contribute
We are accepting two types of submissions for the inaugural issue. A full editorial guide is available for download with complete formatting standards and submission requirements.
Article or Case Study | 800–1,200 words
A real-world story of what happened when industries coordinated — a challenging installation, a re-roof where early alignment made the difference, or a design that required multiple trades to work together. Ground the piece in specifics: the project, who was involved, how coordination happened, and what resulted.
Suggested structure: Challenge → Collaboration → Outcome / Takeaway. Subheadings encouraged.
Op-Ed or Perspective | 400–600 words
A professional point of view on what's changing in your field that others should know about — an innovation in product, process, or design that deserves wider attention, or a forward-looking take on where collaboration in the built environment is headed.
Suggested structure: State your position clearly → Support with experience or evidence → Close with a call to action.
Why Contribute
- Reach a multi-industry audience. Your work lands in front of engineers, architects, roofing contractors, insurers, facility managers, and lightning protection professionals — all in one place.
- Establish thought leadership. Publishing in the inaugural issue positions you as a founding voice in a cross-industry conversation at the moment it begins.
- Build connections across disciplines. Your byline opens doors. Contributors become part of a network of professionals who are actively working to improve how our industries communicate and collaborate.
- Your expertise, presented with care. All submissions go through editorial review. LPI will suggest edits for length, clarity, and style while preserving your voice and intent — and you'll have the opportunity to review before publication.
Who We're Inviting to Contribute
- Lightning Protection contractors, designers, and master installers
- Structural and electrical engineers
- Architects and design professionals
- Roofing contractors and single-ply specialists
- Building enclosure consultants
- Insurance professionals and underwriters
- Facility managers and building owners
- Material manufacturers and suppliers
- Weather data and atmospheric science experts
Ready to Contribute?
Submit your article or op-ed for the inaugural issue of The Connector.
Submission deadline: April 30, 2026
Final draft deadline: May 15, 2026
Want to Be Seen Without Writing a Word?
Advertising Space Options
The Connector reaches a multi-industry audience of lightning protection professionals, engineers, architects, roofing contractors, building enclosure consultants, facility managers, insurers, and material suppliers. Advertising in the inaugural issue places your company at the center of this cross-industry conversation at its launch. Half-page and quarter-page options are available. See the Editorial Guide for rates and specifications.
Questions? Contact Kelley Collins at kcollins@lightning.org | lightning.org
Building Resiliency
This year we are bringing lightning protection systems into the discussion of “building resiliency”.
Conversations from the past months and years with LPI Members and Partners have provided the insight and data for this article.
Check out photos from LPI Member projects and data from our Partners.
Case Studies
YORKTOWN HOTEL - TAPESTRY COLLECTION by Hilton - York, PA
The Yorktowne Hotel, located in York Pennsylvania, is a historically significant building that was first opened in 1925. The 14-story building was completely renovated to re-open as a luxury hotel with a rooftop restaurant and bar.
ONE 22 ONE Tower - Nashville, TN
A conversation with Bonded of Texas. Through Q&A, Bonded shares with us the importance of collaboration to overcome challenges during the design and installation phases.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Hollywood, FL
The Hard Rock’s signature guitar shape of the building made the design and installation of its lightning protection system challenging. Due to the complex geometry of the building, a spirit of cooperation was required to coordinate the variety of details and installation techniques.
Summit House Visitor Center - Pikes Peak, CO
The Pikes Peak Visitor Center, formerly the Summit House, stands at an altitude of 14,115 feet above sea level and can experience temperatures as low as -39.
Research
Lightning Protection Code Changes Updates
The Lightning Protection Institute and SPRI
Thanks to our LPI Members.
They dedicated hours and months to support our industries' work. These LPI members collaborated with several organizations to outline challenges and solutions that resulted in new and changed codes.
Al Adelmann, Tyler Baumert, Michael Boyd, Mark Morgan, Bret Peifer
MERLIN Low Detection Efficiency Study Results: First Two Years
Dr. Dustin Hill; Dr. Carlos Mata
Lightning Detection is more complex than previously considered. MERLIN provides continuous lightning detection and location information at the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This data is utilized to measure lightning risks for space events. Dr. Hill and Dr. Mata, of Scientific Lightning Solutions (SLS), evaluate and compare the measurement of lightning on tall structures from past and current studies. Read how their conclusions show us to be mindful of the margin of error with existing lightning detection methods.
A Detailed Analysis of Lightning Deaths in the United States from 2006 through 2022
John S. Jensenius, Jr.
Former Meteorologist with the National Weather Service for more than 41 years.
John Jensenius provides us with a detailed analysis of personal injuries due to lightning strikes. This report examines lightning fatality data from 2006 to 2022. Distinct patterns emerged in the fatality statistics in terms of the age, gender, and activity of the victims.
Performance Evaluation of Non-Conventional Lightning Protection Systems Based on NLDN Data
Dr. Carlos T. Mata; Dr. Jonathan D. Hill
The usage of non-conventional lightning protection systems (LPS) in lieu of traditional Franklin rod (air terminal) systems is a controversial subject. Here, we examine historical lightning strike-point data from the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) to evaluate the performance of CTS, specifically the patented Dissipation Array System (DAS), installed at two prominent facilities in the United States.
Don’t see what you need?
Start a conversation with us at lpi@lightning.org
