Robert Bell is Director of Product Market at Acuity Brands-Pathway Connectivity and oversees the development of Cognito/Choreo entertainment lighting controls, Pathport DMX/RDM Gateways, Via entertainment class Ethernet switches, eLink Router, eDIN Interface modules and Vignette architectural control. Robert has been awarded numerous patents for lighting control and networking which have been assigned to Acuity Brands. Prior to Pathway, Robert headed the development of the Strand Light Palette console, the ET Marquee and the PC based Horizon Control software. While working at Philips Vari*Lite he was a brand ambassador programming most of the public demonstrations of their moving lights and winning awards for their booth designs. After working at the CBC in Toronto in the early 1990’s, Robert co-founded CAST Lighting and developed the first commercially successful lighting previsualization software WYSIWYG, which won both a technical Gemini and Emmy award for its breakthrough innovations. Working as a lighting designer and programmer, Robert has had the opportunity to work on some of the biggest shows, including Sydney Olympics Opening Ceremony, Tale of Two Cities (Broadway), Starlight Express (West End), Juno Awards (1993-2000), Canada Day on Parliament Hill (1994-2000), Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band. He has also supplied technical support to some of rock’s largest acts including U2, Sting, Metallica, Ricky Martin, The Eagles, The Rolling Stones, The Tragically Hip and many more. Robert is the author of the book Let There Be Light – Entertainment Lighting Software Pioneers in Conversation. Robert sits on ESTA’s Control Protocols Working Group and was a director for the ESTA Foundation and was a board member for The Wally Russell Fund until its wrap up in ‘21. In 1994, Robert received the first ever Wally Russell Newcomer’s award for his work on lighting previsualization.