Oct. 27, 2009 (PR Newswire) -- TROY, Mich., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- As environmental consciousness and green building continue to grow in all industries, the Michigan Solid-State Lighting Association (MSSLA) in association with DTE Energy, will be hosting business leaders from across the state during the 2009 MSSLA Symposium in an effort to share the latest advancements and insights into the benefits of solid-state lighting.

The seminar will take place 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at the University of Michigan - Dearborn, Fairlane Center, North Building, Room Quad E (click here to view map). Interested participants are encouraged to pre-register by Nov. 9 to reserve seats.

Attendees will:

--  Learn about real-world applications of solid-state lighting
--  Hear presentations by Michigan's leading solid-state lighting
manufacturers and suppliers
--  Be inspired by new technologies in the advancement of solid-state
lighting
--  Learn about DTE Energy's "Your Energy Savings" energy efficiency program
--  Learn about the energy-saving opportunities offered by the State of
Michigan
--  Interact with exhibitors

--  Network with hundreds of commercial and industrial professionals

Solid-state lighting refers to the use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as sources of illumination, rather than electrical filaments, plasma or gas. Benefits of solid-state lighting include an environmentally friendly design that is mercury free, contains reusable parts and provides a long-term energy-efficient source of light.

Keynote speaker Mike Bergren, former assistant field operations manager for the City of Ann Arbor, Mich., will discuss the city's LED implementation program, which is replacing 1,000 streetlamps with energy-saving LEDs with plans to change all 7,000 Ann Arbor streetlamps to LED. Before implementing LED lighting, Ann Arbor was spending more than $1.4 million a year on energy costs. These initial 1,000 LED lights decrease the city's energy use from 120 watts per fixture to 56, moving the city toward its ultimate goal of cutting its street lighting bill in half. Bergren is a strong supporter of the MSSLA and has experienced first-hand the positive outcome of implementing LED lighting.

"Ann Arbor's implementation is a tremendous example of how LED can help Michigan move forward," said John Hogan, sales manager for LUMATEK International. "Implementing solid-state lighting is one of the smartest decisions businesses can make to be become more energy efficient and help cut operating costs.