International Laser Display Association (ILDA)

08/28/2026

Just a little over 2 months away from the International Laser Display (ILDA) conference. Are you registered yet?

https://www.ilda.com/conf2026/

08/03/2026

2025 ILDA Career Achievement Award

Derek Garbos - LaserTech Canada, Inc.

Derek Garbos’ fascination with lasers began in the late 1970s when he first encountered a ruby laser at Ottawa’s Science Museum. In 1989, he co-founded NewWave Productions with Andrew Jefferson. They developed proprietary laser technologies including custom beam tables, a scan-through achromat beam expander for long-distance graphics, a digital-to-analog color decoder for PCAOM systems, and a live control console that allowed show cues to be triggered from a grid—an early precursor to modern live laser show interfaces.

In the 1990s, they created immersive laser displays, such as a fiber-fed projector on a flight simulator, and in 1996 co-hosted ILDA’s first international conference outside the U.S. in Canada, which also marked the first ILDA event to feature audience scanning using NewWave’s Argon/Krypton system and remote fiber heads. Derek would then host the ILDA conference again in 2018 in Montreal.

By the early 2000s, Derek became sole owner, rebranding the company as LaserTech Canada and since producing over a thousand shows spanning six continents. His clients include Cirque du Soleil, Mercedes-Benz, Infiniti, Red Bull, New Balance, NHL hockey franchises, and nearly every top-tier EDM artist.

A hallmark of Derek’s career has been pushing boundaries. He created a 360-degree seamless laser ceiling for a New York opera using cylindrical lens scanning. He also became the first in history to secure airspace clearance for laser shows in downtown Ottawa Canada at two separate locations.

A pioneer in laser control, Derek co-developed SyncMaster, a precursor to today’s live systems. In 2009, he joined Pangolin’s QuickShow and BEYOND team, contributing 150+ features, and the original workspace which remains in global use to this day. He later collaborated with MPBC on TEM₀₀ fiber lasers for entertainment, pushing the industry towards ‘HD’ (high-definition), with tighter beam options similar to the ion lasers of the past.

Derek has championed laser safety through national standards, CLEO involvement, and hands-on education. Together with CTO Nicolas Squire, LaserTech Canada has won 27 international awards across seven categories, including 12 first-place finishes. Derek also serves on ILDA’s Board, Laser Theatre Committee, and Awards Committee.

Mentor, innovator, and active leader for the global laser community, Derek Garbos continues to shape and inspire the world of laser entertainment.

07/27/2026

2025 Fenning ILDA Digital Network (IDN) Standards Technical Achievement Award - 1st place winner:

"IDN Integration In The Open-Source Helios DAC Software Library", Gitle Mikkelsen

The reference code library for the Helios DAC has been updated with seamless IDN support. This makes it easy for software developers to add support for output to IDN devices. The code is also open source, meaning that any developer can modify it to their needs, as well as study the implementation to learn more about the IDN protocol and translate it to other programming languages if necessary. The library is built to be cross-platform and is tested on both Windows, Mac and Linux. The library is publicly available as a Github repository: github.com/Grix/helios_dac/tree/master/sdk/cpp

Credits: Software Programming: Gitle Mikkelsen. The following people are not directly involved in the entry, but I wish to acknowledge their help and support during development: Dirk Apitz, development assistance and reference code; Matthias Frank, development assistance; Matthieu Beghin, testing and feedback; Luc Pinguet, testing and feedback

07/20/2026

2025 Fenning Award for Technical Achievement - 1st place winner:

"Clubmax FB4 IP65 (Models 18, 24 and 40)", KVANT Ltd.

A laser projector fitted with a comprehensive range of features suitable for laser display professionals, big displays and touring. The latest generation of Clubmax FB4 IP65 projectors represents an ideal standard for all those who need top-notch lasers that are reliable, powerful, compact, relatively light and easy to work with. The three models offer power outputs of 18, 24, and 40 watts in waterproof IP65 robust housing. They also have unique features that help show designers and operators work as quickly and efficiently as possible, especially at complex, large-scale installations.

07/13/2026

2025 Laser Photography - 1st place winner:

"Al Khobar Water Tower", KVANT Ltd.

This photo was taken during the Qadsiah Festival 2024 in Al Khobar, KSA. It captures the Al Khobar Water Tower with lasers and video mapping. Our task was to illuminate the largest water reservoir in the world so it could be clearly seen from a distance and from the surrounding area.

Credits: Photographer: Sara Simkovicova

07/06/2026

2025 Innovative Application - 1st place winner:

A Light Desert: The LuxoLaser was born out of a challenge to produce an edible laser, continuing my research into small-scale lasers. This is intended for a banquet situation, where a desert sheet cake can be lit with lumia. A Luxo lamp was dismantled, and its innards replaced with an RGB lumia rig. This lights up white frosting perfectly, and can be used on wedding cakes, pasta alfredo, or any light-colored food. The LuxoLaser runs off 12V DC and comes with a power supply. It has the required CDRH warnings. There is a dimmer switch built in and individual power trim pots for each color.

Credits: In Charge: Mike Gould

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HTKXZ0UqBA
(Youtube blocked in some countries due to music copyright restrictions)

2025 ILDA Awards, First Place, Innovative Application, “LuxoLaser”,...

06/29/2026

2025 Fine Art Laser Display - 1st place winner:

"Lucida", Studio Lachlan Turczan

Lucida (I–VI), 2025. Lasers, acrylic, stainless steel, infrared cameras, software, speakers.

Lucida is the latest in Lachlan Turczan’s Veil Series, sculpting immersive environments from coherent light. Mist reveals dynamic veils that ripple and respond to movement, giving light a physical presence. As viewers engage, beams shift and bend, forming ephemeral architecture. Co-created with engineer Kevin Izard, Lucida explores a future shaped by perception, not mass.

Credits: Creators: Lachlan Turczan, Kevin Izard; Interaction: Will Michaelsen; Composer: Sebastian Sack

Music: Custom musical score by Sebastian Sack created for Studio Lachlan Turczan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mJbYJe1hvc
(Youtube blocked in some countries due to music copyright restrictions)

2025 ILDA Awards, First Place, Fine Art Laser Display, “Lucida”, St...

06/22/2026

2025 Permanent Installation - 1st place winner:

“The Westin”, Lightwave International Inc.

This permanent installation at the Westin is designed to enhance seasonal street events with an immersive laser show that attracts and retains audiences to support local businesses. The show is operated from a permanently constructed rooftop laser booth that houses the projection lasers and playback computers. A special lifting mechanism was designed for the screen which is stowed in a hidden trough, and is deployed by an overhead crane system with minimal effort. Beam lasers live in permanent weather enclosures, and fog machine carts with wDMX are deployed on show nights.

Credits: Programmer: Mike Dunn; Design & Operator: George Dodworth; Production: John Walker

Music: Various songs and artists

https://youtu.be/ucKOOpUPfuA?si=vDejbZ-k_3jtfx2w
(Youtube blocked in some countries due to music copyright restrictions)

2025 ILDA Awards, First Place, Permanent Installation, “The Westin”...

06/15/2026

2025 Beams/Atmospherics Show for Multiple-Scanner Projectors - 1st place winner:

"Lock In", Nathan Jin

This show focuses on depth, perspective, eye focus and blending while creating shapes using precise geometry.

Credits: Nathan Jin

Music: Subtronics, Wooli, "Lock In"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj7E7JLtgLc
(Youtube blocked in some countries due to music copyright restrictions)

2025 ILDA Awards, First Place, Beams/Atmospherics Show for Multiple...

06/08/2026

2025 Beams/Atmospherics Show with Add-On Effects - 1st place winner:

"Sky", Merlin Schaadt

"Sky" is an immersive laser experience that transforms the night into a canvas of light, color, and sound. Inspired by the beauty and drama of the sky above us, the show leads the audience through a visual interpretation of natural phenomena — from the soft pastels of dawn to the intense energy of the sun, lightning storms and the calm wonder of a starry night.

Credits: Showdesign: Merlin Schaadt; Technical Management: Rico Behlke

Music: Supreme Devices, Epic Music World, David Klemencz, "Sky Is the Limit"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEE1joAGDcs
(Youtube blocked in some countries due to music copyright restrictions)

2025 ILDA Awards, First Place, Beams/Atmospherics Show with Add-On Effects, “Sky”, Merlin SchaadtThis received First Place in the “Beams/Atmospherics Show wi...