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Section FAQs

Guidance for Section Chairs

The following information supports Section Chairs as they process, review, and advance projects within the IES Illumination Awards portal. If you’re a judge or an applicant, please refer to the appropriate Judging Information or Applicant FAQs pages instead.

General Section Information


1. What is my role as a Section Chair?

Section Chairs are responsible for reviewing submissions entered within their Section to ensure they meet eligibility and formatting requirements before advancing them to Merit Judging. Chairs help uphold the integrity of the program by confirming that entries
follow the rules and are properly categorized.


2. How do I complete my Section Chair processing?

Follow the below step-by-step demonstration of how to:

  • Log in to the Section Chair portal: Section Chair Portal Log In
  • Review submissions assigned to your Section.
  • Verify eligibility and anonymity.
  • Approve qualified projects to move forward to Merit Judging.


3. Which Section should entrants use when submitting?

Projects must be submitted to the Section of the lead lighting designer. If that Section is inactive, projects should be assigned to the nearest active Section for review.


4. My Section isn’t listed in the submission portal — what should I do?

Contact illuminationawards@ies.org for assistance in verifying Section status or having your Section added to the system.

 

Reviewing and Processing Projects
5. What should I check for before advancing a project?

Confirm that each project:

  • Meets the completion window (finished within 24 months prior to January 1, 2026).
  • Includes no more than 10 images total (each photo or chart counts individually).
  • If a video is included, it doesn’t contain any sound or captions and is not simply a compilation of static images.
  • Has no identifying information (designer, design firm, manufacturer, or product name).
  • Meets basic technical guidelines (correct file types, image quality, proper labeling).

Projects that fail any of these checks should not advance and must be disqualified.


6. What counts as multiple images?

Each photo on a slide counts as one image, even if several are grouped together. For example, a slide with three images = three total images.

 

7. Can Section Chairs make edits to submissions?

No. Section Chairs are not permitted to alter any submission materials, including images, summaries, or captions.


8. Can I download projects for review?

Yes. You may download submissions solely for review purposes. All judging and scoring, however, must occur within the online portal.


9. Can Section Chairs revisit submissions after processing?

No. Once Section Processing closes, access to those submissions is removed. Please review all entries carefully before finalizing.

 

Rule Violations
10. What happens if a project violates program rules?

If a submission violates the rules, it must be disqualified.

Examples include:

  • Mention of designer, firm, manufacturer, or product names in text, images, or video.
  • More than 10 total images.
  • Evidence of digital manipulation or added light sources.
  • Use of narration, music, or text overlays in videos.
  • Submittals containing only product images rather than installed lighting applications.

Minor technical issues (e.g., formatting inconsistencies) may be reviewed with IA Committee and IES Staff to determine if the entry remains eligible.


11. Are proper names ever acceptable?

Yes. Proper names of places, sites, or owners (e.g., Waldorf Astoria, Target, City of Chicago) are acceptable. However, names that imply who performed the design are not.
Example:

  • Acceptable: “The IES Building remodel required thoughtful luminaire selection.”
  • Not acceptable: “As the lighting designer, IES thoughtfully selected the luminaires for their own remodel.”

 

Judging
12. How does the judging process work?

  • Section Judging: Local judges review all qualified entries within the Section for Section-level awards only. Section judging does not impact Society-level awards.
  • Merit Judging: Projects that meet the required standards advance to Merit Judging.
  • Final Judging: The highest-scoring Merit projects are evaluated for Society-level awards.

All judging is anonymous and criteria-based, using the official score sheets for each
category.


13. Who selects the judges?

Judges are chosen from a broad professional spectrum representing expertise in lighting design, architecture, and engineering. They are expected to evaluate projects solely on how well the lighting design meets the program criteria.

 

Portal Access and Technical Support


14. How do I access the Section Chair portal?

Use the login credentials provided by IES. If you haven’t received credentials or encounter login issues, contact WHO??? for assistance.


15. Can I reopen a submission after the Section window closes?

No. Once Section Processing ends, submissions are locked. Please verify completion dates and all project data before the deadline.


16. Who do I contact for technical help?

For issues with portal access, file uploads, or downloads, reach out to  illuminationawards@ies.org for technical support.

 

Confidentiality and Conduct


17. What confidentiality expectations apply to Section Chairs?

All project materials, images, and narratives are confidential and must not be shared outside the reviewing and judging processes. Please ensure that all reviewers in your Section understand and adhere to this policy.


18. Can Section Chairs recommend judges for Society-level awards?

Yes. Recommendations are encouraged — please forward potential judge names and professional information to awards@ies.org.


19. How can I share feedback about the process?

Your input helps refine the program. Feedback can also be submitted anytime to awards@ies.org.

Quick Links
Section Chair Portal Log In
Score Sheets