Students, businesses and Ames consumers are invited to attend the first Art of Lighting Expo Wednesday at the Octagon Center for the Arts.

The expo will present a forum for people to learn about lighting types, products and services available, said Jeff Ishmael, the energy efficiency coordinator who organized the event.

“I’ve had a number of local businesses contact me to ask questions about new lighting regulations,” Ishmael said. “Most people don’t have access to this type of event. I thought this would be a good way to educate people.”

One of the new regulations recently enacted is the Energy Policy Act, which sets new efficiency standards for some of the most commonly used lamps. Lamps that don’t meet the new standards have been prohibited from being imported or manufactured since Nov. 1, 1995.

“The questions I get the most are about what products businesses should buy to comply with the regulation,” Ishmael said. “There will be a dozen different companies represented who will be able to talk about disposing certain types of fluorescent lights, what kind of lights to purchase, and how to make lighting work best for your home or business.”

Doug Chervek, a senior in architecture, said the expo might be of interest to those involved with design as well.

“The lighting techniques displayed might help to show students that everything in design has to work together,” Chervek said.

Although the Art of Lighting Expo is mainly targeted at Ames businesses, Ishmael said the event is open to all who want to attend.

The Expo is Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free.