As the pandemic spread across the U.S and Canada, it forced many companies to reassess their approaches to technology, operations and sales strategies. Industry leader panelists will discuss their successes, lessons learned and plans for what comes next. Key questions that will be addressed include: What are the needs and ramifications of this new reality and how did your company pivot to thrive under unforeseen conditions? What are the trends of new products demands and how can you take advantage of the continued building material boom? What will all of this mean for the future of remote work?

Speakers

Peter Romaniello Owner Conceptual Lighting, LLC  - Peter founded his award-winning lighting design company, Conceptual Lighting, in 1998. He has designed lighting systems for more than 2,000 residences, along with many restaurants, retail spaces, health care facilities, and houses of worship. He has served as a regional vice president and member of the board of directors for the Illuminating Engineering Society. Peter has taught many seminars over the years for organizations including ALA, AIA, ASID, NKBA, and IES, and has been an adjunct professor at the University of New Haven and Fairfield University.

Laurie Gross President Gross Electric, Inc. - Laurie has more than 45 years experience in the lighting retail industry, currently serving as President of her company, Gross Electric. Laurie is an active member of the lighting industry and ALA, currently serving on the association's Board of Governors. She is well-known for her retail knowledge and willingness to share her experience and understanding to better the industry as a whole.

Kris Quackenbush President The Carlson Group

Alan Katz Vice President of Sales Quoizel, Inc. - Alan has worked with Quoizel for more than 27 years, most currently in his role as Vice President of Sales.

Hear about the technologies shaping the residential lighting market as homes and hospitality spaces are built and refurbished while the pandemic recedes. Your questions and responses will drive this session as three expert speakers talk briefly about several timely and important industry developments and inviting all audience members to be part of the conversation.

Speakers

Terry McGowan

Director of Engineering and Technology, American Lighting Association

Terry has more than 45 years of experience in the technical aspects of the lighting industry. He serves as a key contact and point of knowledge for the industry and the media on various technical and regulatory matters impacting lighting.

Chris Primous - Connected lighting and fan products are just part of the connected home story. It’s a system with parts that depend upon communication. Chris Primous will focus on what those parts are and how they come together to talk to each other using “platforms”. It’s all about the IoT and the smart home opportunity.

Steve Parker Lighting Business Consultant - There have been numerous business developments during the pandemic that have a technology component. Here are the ones affecting residential lighting from the person who knows about introducing new technology to the lighting market. (He wrote the book on the subject).

David Rubin Healthe, Inc. - Light is not just for seeing and fixtures are not just for lighting anymore. Here are the new ways that lighting products can be applied to clean and sanitize as well as regulate healthy living both day and night.

In 2000, the typical ceiling height was 8’-0” and homes were lucky to have CAT 5 wiring. In the 20 short years since, we’ve moved to taller ceilings and wireless residences. Architectural and technological changes are driven by homeowner demands. That meant lighting had to change as well, but how that change occurred was obscure. While new home construction was rapidly accelerating prior to 2020, the pandemic altered the way we use our homes. Both of these will factor into how homes will be illuminated going forward. This session will review a wide variety of architectural and technological changes and discuss their impact on lighting, resulting in good solutions for the client and customer.

Speaker

Jeffrey R. Dross Lighting by Jeffrey

The importance of light to human health and wellbeing is becoming an increasingly popular topic. As technology improves, allowing more control over our exposure to light, it is important for industry professionals to understand how this applies to lighting systems. In this seminar, Mark will explore the science behind how humans see. He will discuss the spectra of human visual systems and the details behind circadian stimulation, including the blue-sky signal we should all get every day. Participants will learn about the VITALS for health lighting and receive an introduction to the BIOS Lighting spectra and bio-dimming controls to show how these can be used to bring the outside in. Mark will also explain how indoor lighting can be designed to strengthen circadian rhythm, enhance productivity, boost mood, increase alertness and promote better sleep.

Speaker

Mark McClear COO BIOS Lighting

Mark has worked in the lighting industry for more than 20 years, serving in various engineering, commercial and business leadership positions at Cree, Seoul Semiconductor, and BIOS Lighting. Mark has been a speaker, teacher and thought leader in LED and Solid State Lighting and has helped thousands navigate the transition from traditional lighting technologies to LED. He has taught more than 20 accredited CEU courses on implementing LED technology in commercial and residential lighting luminaires and lamps. Mark is an inventor on 20 issued and published US patents in Solid State Lighting. He holds a BSEE from Michigan State University and an MBA from Babson College. Mark lives near Asheville, N.C., with his wife of 35 years and two Labrador Retrievers.

Strong partnerships with designers can bring steady, new business to your lighting showroom. But how do you become an invaluable resource and ensure those designers come to you when it’s time to shop lighting with their clients? Join us for this fun and interactive discussion between industry experts who will share personal stories, real-world examples, and the insider scoop on why designers choose to work with certain showrooms. You'll leave knowing how to identify the best designers to fit with your specific showroom and how you can provide exactly what designers are looking for in long-term showroom partners.

Speakers

Tim Stumm Creative Director Z-Lite  -Tim currently serves as chair of the Marketing and PR Committee, where he works closely with ALA staff and the team at Meredith Publishing to produce Lighting magazine. Tim has assisted in developing the cover of Lighting magazine for the past few years, helping to conceptualize the look and feel, and then flying to Des Moines, Iowa, to assist in the cover photo shoot. In addition to his help with the magazine, Stumm is also known for openly sharing his knowledge and ideas on trends and also, how to deliver the much needed " showroom customer experience" with his peers in hopes of bettering the industry as a whole. Stumm has also volunteered as a judge for the Lighting for Tomorrow competition. He also donated his time and expertise to the association, serving as one of the lighting designers for ALA and DMC’s combined meeting space in the Dallas Trade Mart, The SMART Center.

Christina Couvillion CEO DaVinci Interiors - Christina is well-known for her design expertise and passion for bringing together a concept that helps her clients to feel special. She has been recognized by the Texas Builder's Association for the best interior design, Parade of Homes, Houzz, was named one of the Top 3 Interior Designers in Austin in 2020 by ThreeBestRated.com.

Lisa McDennon Founder Lisa McDennon Design - Lisa founded her Laguna Beach–based interiors firm, Lisa McDennon Design, in 2000. Inspired by the region’s beauty, history, and culture, Lisa's distinctive style reinvigorates coastal California design. She works with natural materials, elegant forms, and varied textures to create modern residential and commercial interiors that are sophisticated, unexpected, and timeless. With degrees in fine art and interior design, Lisa brings a deep knowledge of art and architecture to all her work, which has been recognized with multiple awards and coverage in national publications. House Beautiful named her one of 2010’s “Next Wave of Designers to Watch.” Nuance, Lisa's trend-setting home and lifestyle boutique in Laguna Beach, showcases her modern, sophisticated style with custom furniture, lighting, and linens.

Linda Longo Editorial Director enLIGHTenment Magazine - Linda is well-known across the lighting industry for her insider knowledge of the ins and outs of design, technology and all things lighting. She is responsible for all editorial content for enLIGHTenment Magazine, as well as social media and web content.

What tools and best practices are available to use your time well and get the results that you need to increase sales productivity and efficiency? Steve will share real-world, easy-to-apply tips and tricks on time management and how you can change your habits to improve efficiency. Topics include increasing your personal “tech tools” productivity with your apps, email, calendar, smartphone and more!

Speaker

Steve Turner Founder & CEO,  Turner Time Management

With a background in technology and over 35 year of business experience, Steve has shared technology and time management tools, techniques, and tips with thousands of professionals across the country. His speaking, training, and coaching have helped many organizations increase their employees’ technology IQ and supercharge their personal performance. Steve has worked with well over 150 manufacturing representative firms over the past fifteen years. His proven ability to leverage technology (including apps, desktops, laptops, and mobile devices) is of great value to anyone in need of greater sales, marketing and/or productivity results.

Deana will cover the insights and consumer research that the New Home Trends Institute has conducted to identify rising and influential trends that affect how lighting is shifting in housing. She will cover consumer strategy results, insights from industry experts, and design inspirations.

Speaker Deana Vidal Manager of Trend Consulting John Burns Real Estate Consulting

Deana Vidal focuses on applying John Burns Real Estate Consultants’ trend tracking, consumer research, and design insights into practical applications and deep, insightful feedback to help companies make impactful decisions and stay ahead of consumer desires. She has worked with small businesses and startups around the world, developing consumer profiles and research strategies to better understand consumer needs. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Architecture.

When someone chooses not to do business with you or go with a competitor, they rarely tell you why. More often than not, it’s because of something they see (or don’t see) online. Discover the holes in your digital footprint that may be sabotaging your sales and pushing prospects to your competition. Key Participant Takeaways: The Google Game. Ways to give off a better first impression. Common Website Mistakes that are costing you customers and how to fix them. Online Reputation Management: How to be proactive in limiting negative reviews and increasing positive reviews online. Build rapport, stay top of mind and earn referrals on Facebook and Instagram

Speaker

Corey Perlman Owner Impact Social Inc.

Corey is a bestselling author and top-rated speaker who helps businesses succeed through digital marketing. He teaches well-tested and current social media strategies. Corety has been at the forefront of digital marketing for more than 10 years. He started his career with the eCommerce Division of General Motors, before launching his consulting and speaking business in 2009. Since then, he's worked with such notable brands as Sysco Foods, The American Healthcare Association, Dale Carnegie Training and The PGA Tour.

Help kick off the announcement of our 2022 Conference in Austin with a preview presentation from Keynote Speaker Gerry O'Brion. Learn about a framework of innovation and influence that will show you how to become the number one choice in the lighting industry.

Speaker

Gerry O'Brion Brand Strategist What Big Brands Know

The foundation of all business is getting customers to buy from you. Gerry speaks about a framework of influence that reveals how to become the number one choice, even in a crowded market. He teaches the Power of BECAUSE. After years as an executive with billion-dollar brands, Gerry is now a professional speaker and author. His Power of BECAUSE framework has helped tens of thousands of CEOs, business owners and sales teams stand out from the sea of sameness and grow their sales. Gerry began his career in marketing at Procter & Gamble and then was an executive for Coors Light, Quiznos, and Red Robin. He has his MBA from the University of Michigan and has also spent eight years serving in the military.