Lightning Protection Institute to host Houston lightning safety conference

The Lightning Protection Institute is using Lightning Safety Awareness Week to push communities, businesses and homeowners to assess lightning risk before storms hit. The group will co-host a no-fee International Lightning Safety Day Conference on June 26 at the University of Houston Clear Lake’s Pearland Campus, with a live Zoom option. Why it matters: - Lightning can threaten people, homes, businesses, critical facilities and the connected systems communities rely on every day. - LPI is framing risk assessment as the first step to improving safety and resiliency before storm season. - The June 26 conference is designed to connect lightning science with practical protection for infrastructure. What happened: - The Lightning Protection Institute is marking Lightning Safety Awareness Week, June 21-27, by urging individuals, businesses and community leaders to assess lightning risks. - LPI will highlight the first U.S.-based International Lightning Safety Day Conference on Friday, June 26, 2026. - The conference will take place at the University of Houston Clear Lake, Pearland Campus, with a live global Zoom option. - The event is no-fee, but registration is required for both in-person and online attendance. - Registration: Register for the conference - Conference information: Conference details The details: - The conference runs from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. CT. - The program will focus on lightning and surge protection for resilient infrastructure. - Speakers and participants will include experts in lightning science, critical infrastructure protection, engineering, standards development, risk assessment and surge protection. - Tim Harger, executive director of the Lightning Protection Institute, said families should know where to seek shelter, property owners should understand how structures are protected and communities should identify vulnerabilities in critical facilities and connected systems. - LPI says its awareness campaign will include resources on personal safety planning, homeowner education, business continuity, critical facilities and community resiliency. - For homeowners, businesses, facility managers and design/build professionals, assessment can include understanding local lightning risk, evaluating systems and operations that need protection and knowing when to involve qualified lightning protection professionals. Between the lines: - The event reflects a broader shift from awareness toward preparedness, with an emphasis on protecting infrastructure before damage occurs. - LPI is also tying lightning safety to resilience planning as cities become more connected and dependent on critical systems. - The conference format suggests an effort to broaden access, with both in-person and virtual attendance. What’s next: - LPI will continue sharing resources throughout Lightning Safety Awareness Week. - The group is directing homeowners, business owners, facility managers and design/build professionals to its website for information on protection systems, standards, inspection, technical education and certified contractors. - More information is available at Lightning Protection Institute . - Certified contractors can be found at Find a contractor . - The 2026 conference is supported by presenting sponsor Sankosha USA Inc. and hosted by Aegisflash and LPI, in partnership with SALNet and ACLENet. - Conference hosts include Dr. Shriram Sharma and Kelley Collins. - Featured speakers and guides include Masato Ito, Bryan Holland, Mitch Guthrie, Ron Hotchkiss, Shriyog Gyawali, Chris Vagasky, Mary Ann Cooper, MD, and panelist Dr. Carlos Mata. The bottom line: - LPI is using Lightning Safety Awareness Week to push a simple message: assess risk now, then protect people and property before the next storm hits.