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by PORT on Mar 25, 2025 9:49:08 AM
Lighting the Way: PORT’s Elegant Control System Transformation at the Holiday Inn Portland - by the Bay
At PORT Lighting, we believe that great lighting transforms spaces—and nowhere is that more evident than at the newly renovated State of Maine Grand Ballroom at the Holiday Inn Portland by the Bay. Our team had the pleasure of providing the full design and integration services for a complete upgrade to the ballroom’s architectural and theatrical lighting systems. From the dimmers to the elegant chandeliers and intelligent control system, every component was meticulously planned to ensure beauty, flexibility, and ease of use.
This project was in collaboration with:
Systems designer, commissioning, programming, and installation by PORT.
General Contractor - Wright-Ryan
Electrical Contractor - Casco Bay Electric
Audio/Visual - Headlight AV
Fixture & Control Specification - Jay Lehrhaupt / Swaney Lighting Associates, Inc.
March 2025:
A Unified Lighting Control System
The project encompassed five ballrooms that form the State of Maine Grand Ballroom and its surrounding hallways. Our scope included creating a centralized control system that seamlessly integrates all lighting elements—from practical fixtures to decorative accents.
The backbone of the system starts with a network switch and gateway, allowing Ethernet protocols like sACN to be converted to DMX. From there, the signal is distributed through opto splitters to reach every lighting element throughout the ballroom complex, including dimmers and 0-10V conversion units.
One of the standout features of the system is its flexibility. Ballrooms can be grouped or separated depending on the event configuration. Through an intuitive touchscreen interface, hotel staff can easily select which rooms to control or link rooms together for larger functions. Green buttons indicate which rooms are grouped, making it simple to manage the system at a glance. Our team used the ETC Paradigm Dimming and Control System on this project.
And when the day is done? One of our favorite buttons—“End of Day Off”— instantly powers down all lighting throughout the ballroom with a single press.
Seamless Presets and Event Flexibility
To support the hotel’s diverse range of events—from corporate conferences to weddings—we created a library of lighting presets. These presets adapt to whether the ballrooms are combined or used individually, enabling seamless transitions between different setups.
Each lighting zone is controllable independently or in unison, including:
- Sofary Chandeliers (Per Architect & supplied by Owner)
- Wall sconces (Per Architect & Supplied by Owner)
- Prescolite Recessed ceiling cans
- City Theatrical LED Tape Light - Color-changing cove lights
Need just a soft glow? You can set chandeliers to half, sconces to a warm glimmer, and recess lighting off—perfect for setting a mood while keeping spaces functional.
For presentations and events with screens, we zoned the room so lighting near projection walls can be turned off independently to eliminate screen glare while maintaining ambient light elsewhere.
A Touch of Color and Elegance
Beyond lighting controls, the aesthetics of the lighting design were just as important. We provided all the LED recessed ceiling fixtures, RGBW tape lighting in the coves, and Times Square Lighting SpecTrac systems in the New Hampshire and Vermont ballrooms. These elements allow for both white light and dynamic color-changing illumination—ideal for spotlighting speakers or setting the tone for gala events.
The RGBW tape lighting, housed in 45-degree extrusions, lines the coves and casts a soft, vibrant glow upward. One of the most stunning effects? Watching the chandeliers sparkle in response to shifting color palettes in the room.
We also collaborated closely with the electrician and design team to integrate the selected sconces and chandeliers into the system, ensuring every fixture worked harmoniously within the control environment.
Ballroom Reimagined
Our work at the Holiday Inn Portland - by the Bay is a showcase of how thoughtful lighting control and elegant fixture design can breathe new life into a space. From smart zoning and user-friendly controls to versatile lighting for every mood and moment, this project highlights PORT’s commitment to innovation, design collaboration, and exceptional execution.
Special thanks to our team who brought this project to life:
Quentin Stockwell - Systems Designer & Project Manager
Wolf Wallace - Commissioning & Programming
Ron Kuszmar - Commissioning & Programming
John Beaulieu, Jackson Baker, Bill O'Donnell, & Sam Bagdon - Installation
If you’re planning a lighting upgrade or want to create a smart, scalable system for your space, we’d love to bring your vision to light.
Contact us today to see how we can help your facility shine brighter
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