Speaker Bios: Christmas

Tom BetgeorgeTom Betgeorge, Magical Light Shows
Illuminating Success: How to Create a Drive-Through or Commercial Holiday Light Show
Tom BetGeorge is an internationally acclaimed lighting designer and the founder of Magical Light Shows, LLC. His innovative work has been featured in theme parks, drive-through attractions, churches, and over 9,000 locations worldwide. Known for his meticulous programming, Tom creates immersive experiences that captivate audiences year after year. Since debuting in 2013, his viral light shows have become a global phenomenon, earning widespread recognition and inspiring millions. Tom’s work has been showcased on major international media outlets and networks, and he has received accolades from numerous renowned artists and organizations, including Disney, Cartoon Network, the London Symphony Orchestra, The Weeknd, Metallica, the Michael Jackson Estate, David Guetta, Kelly Clarkson, A-Ha, Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO), TobyMac, Straight No Chaser, Ray Parker Jr., The Piano Guys and Elon Musk. Tom’s passion for combining music, art, and technology continues to set new standards in the world of lighting design, solidifying his place as one of the most innovative visionaries in the field today.

Kyle BostickKyle Bostick, BF Lights
Going Viral, Social Media and Filming Your Display
All Things DMX: Mastering Control for Special Effects
Kyle Bostick is the owner of BF Light Shows, a leading sequence store specializing in synchronized holiday displays. Over the last five years, Kyle has helped grow holiday lighting displays throughout the country. His innovative sequencing and cutting-edge technology has lead BF Light Shows to gain significant recognition, including national media publications and attracting hundreds of millions of views on social media. Kyle’s expertise in creating visually captivating, synchronized light shows has made him a prominent figure in the field, inspiring others to elevate their holiday display experiences.

Jeffrey HolmesJeffrey Holmes, Iron, Wood & Glitter
101 Design: Finding Your Theme & Show
Jeffrey A. Holmes has designed & produced over 100 Christmas & Halloween shows across the USA and abroad, including the 340,000 pixel tree at “An Old Time Christmas” (Silver Dollar City), the majestic “Fire & Ice” flame & light show (Thanksgiving Point), and the choose-your-own-adventure interactive haunted house, “Terror Roulette” (Chicago). In the last 20 years, Jeff has become the go-to “choreographer of light” for theme parks, gardens, and zoos across the country, blending his theatrical performance & technical background with a passion for world class guest experiences. His favorite production continues to be his own flash-mob gospel proposal to his spouse, Morgan.
Additional Notable Credits Include:

  • “Nature’s Wonders” (Atlanta Botanical Garden)
  • “Glacier Ridge” Light Shows (Dollywood)
  • Macy’s Singing Tree (Thanksgiving Day Parade)
  • Dallas Cowboys Christmas Spectacular
  • “Snowball & Flurry” Projection Show
  • New Year’s Eve PyroMusical Spectacular (Thanksgiving Point, UT)
  • World’s Tallest (150ft) Musical Christmas Tree (Arbol De Gallo, Guatemala)

Marcus LedetMarcus Ledet, Light-O-Rama
Show Control & Playback with Light-O-Rama
Marcus Ledet has worked as an electrical engineer for The Walt Disney Company for over 10 years, where he designs, installs, and maintains various specialized electronic systems. From fire breathing dragons to RFID wearables, Marcus’ career at Disney is quite unique! His most recent project was launching the MagicBand+ wearable that lights up, creating more immersive storytelling within the parks. In 2019, Marcus began his animated light show and The HoLedet Show was born. Featuring a blend of pixels and AC lights dancing to Disney classics and holiday tunes, The HoLedet Show, controlled by Light-O-Rama, makes a splash with custom built fountains. In the last 6 years, Marcus has been active in the lighting community, instructing at conferences and minis, and mentoring other lighting enthusiasts. In his spare time, Marcus also works with Light-O-Rama helping with product design and customer support.

Clyde LindseyClyde Lindsey, Pixel Pro Displays
Let’s Make Characters Sing in xLights
Let’s Begin Sequencing in xLights
Clyde Lindsey is a Light Programmer and the co-founder of Pixel Pro Displays. Known for animating the world’s largest pixel-based drive-thru Christmas park, Lindsey has more than a decade of commercial and residential display design and programming experience. Clyde’s fascination with electricity and lighting began with his 5th grade science project. This interest, combined with his love of computers and music, became the impetus for Clyde to build and program his initial synchronized lighting display in 2007. His first computer-controlled light display went “live” in November, 2008. Within three years his display had grown to 50,000 lights, using 150 amps of power. As Clyde’s show grew, his display’s popularity grew as well. His notoriety has brought him a list of commercial and residential lighting projects. In 2017, Clyde and his business partner, Robert Vanorsdale, founded Pixel Pro Displays. Together they have designed, programmed, and coordinated lighting displays for venues such as EDC Vegas, Kunes Auto Group, and Bethlehem Hills. The team is best known for designing and creating the digital infrastructure which runs World of Illuminations, the two largest pixel-based drive-thru Christmas parks in the western United States. Clyde’s passion for programming and his love of music are the driving force behind his work at Pixel Pro Displays. His customized lighting solutions are valued and sought-after by clients all over the world.

JR MattosJR Mattos, Mattos Designs
Building a MegaTree – From DIY to Pro
JR has building things most of his life — from custom suspension systems for show trucks to food processing equipment that runs every day in commercial plants. For the past 10 years, he has taken that experience and poured it into building holiday lighting displays.

His original family display, Mattos Orchard Lights, was even featured on ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight. These days, he has taken things to a new level with his all-new home display, Light Up the Lane.

Out of those experiences came Mattos Designs — a way to help others build displays that are easier to put up, hold up better in bad weather, and don’t need to be replaced every year. Everything they make is built to last and made with the real-world installer in mind.

JR has also designed some of the most innovative gear in the industry — like his EVO Lights, Kraken Mounting System, and the rugged, modular Sasquatch MegaTrees. These products are built from the ground up for decorators who want professional-quality displays without the stress and struggle. If you’ve ever had a display fight you every step of the way — this is the class (and company) that’ll make your life a whole lot easier.

Mynor MendozaMynor Mendoza, Your Pixel Store
Pixel 101 Types, Use Cases and Repairs
Mynor Mendoza is the owner of Your Pixel Store, which has grown from offering just pixels to over 300 products in under three years—ranging from small 3D-printed parts to bigger-than-life props. With a passion for innovation and creative lighting solutions, Mynor specializes in custom and synchronized lighting for residential and commercial projects.

Jorden NashJorden Nash, Nash Creative, LLC
Intro to Controllers and Receivers, Create Mind Blowing Effects with Projection Mapping
Jorden Nash is experienced in the film, post production, AV, and live broadcast industries. His video work can be seen on ESPN, ABC, and many YouTube channels. He loves combining technology and creative elements to make interactive displays. Jorden is constantly looking at new ways to engineer and push the envelope of creative technology. He has enjoyed being a part of the animated Christmas lighting community. He has created a synchronized light and projection mapping display on his family’s home. As a side hobby, he enjoys time lapse photography.

David PeaceDavid Peace, Experience Lights LLC
Designing Props in Fusion
David Peace is the Founder and CTO of Experience Lights, a company dedicated to developing powerful, easy-to-use lighting control systems. You may have heard of their Genius Pixel Controllers, which introduced many innovative features that have set new industry standards. A passionate member of the holiday lighting community, David is driven to create more than just “blinking lights”—he aims to craft captivating and emotional experiences through cutting-edge lighting technology. His love for holiday lighting runs deep—his family was even featured on ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight in 2008. Though they didn’t win, the experience fueled his passion for pushing the boundaries of lighting design

Bill PorterBill Porter
Intelligent Illumination: Harnessing AI and Home Automation for a Smarter, Cost-Effective Holiday Display
Bill Porter is an engineer for the U.S. Navy, technical director for an international robotics competition and a STEM educator for students and teachers alike. Since 2013 Bill has been decorating his home with computer-controlled Christmas lights and developing open-source controllers and technologies used by the Christmas lights community. Since 2018, he has taught beginner and advanced classes at DIY Christmas light events, helping others bring their own displays to life.

Chuck SmithChuck Smith
How to be a Great Santa
In 1990, Chuck Smith found himself in need of a real Santa Claus for his holiday display. Unable to find one in time for Christmas, he decided to take on the role himself. 35 years later, Santa Chuck continues to bring joy and holiday cheer to countless children and families. His genuine generosity and kindness make him a truly delightful presence, embodying the spirit of Christmas in every way.