Time is Running Out: Register for the CLVLT Exam
September 10, 2026
Celebrating Excellence in Outdoor Lighting: The AOLP Awards
The Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals (AOLP) created their two awards programs to honor and promote professional excellence in outdoor lighting design while also recognizing industry achievement. Our Lighting Awards and our Industry Achievement Awards take place yearly, and winners are announced at the Lighting Awards Ceremony during Illuminate, AOLP’s Annual Conference & Expo. With these awards we hope to elevate the trade by showcasing what’s possible with thoughtful design and technical skill, and spotlighting the people who have advanced the outdoor lighting profession. Learn more about both of them on our Awards Programs page.
AOLP Lighting Awards: Recognizing Project-Based Design Excellence
The AOLP Lighting Awards celebrate the creators who transform spaces and experiences through the power of outdoor lighting. This is a project-based competition focused on the quality of the lighting design and the final result, whether it’s a residential property, a commercial site, or a special feature that becomes unforgettable after dark. Importantly, entry is open to all AOLP members in good standing, making it both an honor and a meaningful member benefit.
Our categories for the Lighting Awards reflect the real-world variety of outdoor lighting work:
- Residential, subdivided by fixture count: Small (25 or fewer), Large (26–99), XL (100–249), XXL (250+)
- Commercial
- Feature-Focused (water features, statuary, walkways/stairs, memorials)
- Outdoor Living (patios, decks, outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, dining areas—built environments where people “live” outside)
- Holiday Lighting (temporary decorative/festive installations)
- Splash of Color (permanent installs incorporating color)
- Mobile Mastery (projects captured on a cell phone, without professional photography)
Entries for 2026 will open in late summer, and the program encourages both newer and seasoned designers to participate. The result is more than a trophy: It’s industry recognition that can support marketing, recruiting, and credibility in a competitive field.
Read more on our Lighting Awards page!
Industry Achievement Award: Honoring the People Who Move the Industry Forward
While the Lighting Awards celebrate projects, the AOLP Industry Achievement Award celebrates people. This award was established to recognize industry leaders, professionals, and pioneers who have significantly contributed to the advancement of outdoor lighting. It’s a career-impact honor: Recognizing influence, innovation, and long-term contributions that shape the profession itself.
The key details that make this award distinct:
- Nominations are accepted from any current AOLP member in good standing
- The nominee does not have to be an AOLP member
- Nominations are due by November 30
- The winner is selected through voting by the AOLP Awards Committee, Board of Directors, all AOLP Committee Chairpersons, and past winners
Recent recipients listed by AOLP include Kevin Smith (2025) and Paul Gosselin, Sr. (2024), a reminder that this is a living tradition, honoring those who build the industry’s future.
Learn more on our Industry Achievement Page
One mission, two spotlights
Together, our awards create a complete picture of excellence: Exceptional work in the field and exceptional leadership that has advanced the field over time. Whether you’re ready to submit a standout project or nominate a mentor who changed the industry, AOLP’s awards programs provide a meaningful way to celebrate what great outdoor lighting can be, and who makes it possible.
