LDI2019 Furthers Impact Initiatives

Last year, Live Design/LDI established an LDI Impact committee to pursue its sustainable development goals, both through environmental and community outreach programs. The LDI2019 Exhibit Hall, to be open Friday, November 22 through Sunday, November 24 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, will see the return of successful initiatives as well as the introduction of new ones.

LDI2019 registration once again offers the option to donate to charity and industry partners: Behind the Scenes, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDs, Event Safety Alliance, and Families for Effective Autism Treatment of Southern Nevada (FEAT).

LDI Impact kicks off LDI2019 on Friday morning with the first annual LDI 5K Fun Run. All proceeds will benefit the Behind the Scenes charity, which provides financial assistance to entertainment technology professionals who are seriously ill or injured. Post-run drinks and treats will be supplied by Ambersphere Solutions Ltd.

LDI Impact introduces two new sessions, which are available directly on the show floor at the Live Experience Lounge and free to all LDI2019 attendees. During "The Reality of Climate Change: The Case for Sustainability in Live Events" talk on Friday, Broadway Green Alliance will discuss the intersection of sustainability and live event production and offer practical actions to make an impact on these issues. At Saturday's "Shaking Things Up: The Case for Diversity in Live Events" session, Andrea Jepson will lead a panel of professionals in a conversation on how inclusive practices in hiring and training lead to a diverse workforce, the effects of implicit bias in the choices we make for ourselves and about others, and how cognitive diversity changes the conversation.

Established in partnership with TSDCA and USITT and funded by Live Design/LDI, the Pat MacKay Diversity in Design Scholarships were introduced at the inaugural KOI-USA Awards ceremony in October 2018. The first six undergraduate recipients—Nina Field, Mackenzie Gauthier, Joss Green, Tyler Christian Harris, Amara McNeil, Sydney Smith—who are currently enrolled in lighting, digital media, and sound design programs, will be announced during Saturday's LDI2019 Awards ceremony, which will also see the introduction of the Sustainability Award, recognizing an exhibitor's environmental and/or social responsibility efforts.

Following its success last year, the FEAT Sunday Sensory Stroll will return to the LDI show floor. LDI will welcome families affected by autism to explore the show floor, check out lighting and video displays at various booths, and immerse themselves in an interactive sensory booth featuring various lighting and audiovisual setups, provided by Encore Productions, MASARY Studios, and WorldStage.

For the fourth consecutive year, LDI will collect unopened toiletries and personal hygiene items to then distribute to homeless shelters and transitional living facilities. Participants can bring their donations, including shampoo, conditioner, soaps, lotions, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, deodorant, First-Aid kits, and more, to the Live Experience Lounge.

Live Design International (LDI) connects design, technology, and production to the live audience experience. As the leading conference and tradeshow for live design professionals from all around the globe, LDI hosts over 14,000 members of the production community, working in a wide range of international live and broadcast venues – festivals, corporate events, theatre, concerts, clubs, theme parks, architainment, and houses of worship. www.ldishow.com