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ALA Conference Keynote Speaker Jeremy Bess of ITR Economics has spent the last decade forecasting and researching economic trends. In his presentations, he will prepare ALA members for what’s to come in 2024 and beyond. Hear more about what Jeremy will discuss during his presentation in his video, linked below. To register for the ALA Conference, visit ALAConference.com.

Workplace strategist to present at ALA Conference

Jeff Butler is an author and workplace strategist who explores human behavior within the working world. He will present two breakout sessions during Conference geared towards hiring and retaining the best employees for your business, and maximizing your employees' leadership abilities

Kayaking excursion planned for ALA Conference in Lake Tahoe

The ALA Conference Committee recently announced a kayaking trip planned for attendees of the 2023 ALA Conference in Lake Tahoe, Sept. 10-12. The event will take attendees on a guided tour of Lake Tahoe, allowing attendees to take in the scenery and learn about the area’s history.

You're not old, but your eyes are

You may be tempted to avoid “Light & The Aging Eye” topics. But designing a well-lit room for folks with low vision can help those of us with healthy eyes in our 40s and beyond. In the latest episode of That's Brilliant, Tom Butters, founder and executive director of The Lighting Agora, sits down with Raelle and Liz to tell us all about it.

New ALA white paper provides guidance on selling LED solutions

Consumers have a lot of questions regarding LED technology, and thanks to ALA’s newly released guidance document created by members of the ALA Engineering Committee, showrooms now have expert advice at the ready for answering those questions and helping their customers determine whether an integrated LED product or a socketed one is right for them.

Virtual Residential Lighting Training Course to be held this summer

ALA recently announced its next virtual Residential Lighting Training Course, which guides participants through the association's Lighting Specialist (LS) accreditation. This course is consistently one of ALA’s most popular training programs and has become even more valuable to ALA members as it has moved towards a virtual format.

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ALA Member News

Showroom of the Year winners named for 2023

Furniture, Lighting & Decor | 3 min. read

Celebrity designers Tamara Day and Breegan Jane presented the 14th annual Showroom of the Year Awards on the opening day of Lightovation. A collaborative program organized by Furniture, Lighting & Decor and Lightovation host Dallas Market Center, the awards honor lighting retailers from throughout North America, with one Showroom of the Year winner in each of three dollar-volume categories, along with three specialty awards.

In Memoriam: Ken Roberson, Sr.

enLIGHTment | 2 min. read

Kendall “Ken” Lee Roberson, Sr., of Old Hickory, Tenn., passed away Thursday, June 22. A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, July 1. Visitation will be from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM and service will be from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Hermitage Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, 535 Shute Lane, Old Hickory, TN 37138.

Norwell Lighting Joins Elk Home

enLIGHTment | 1 min. read

Elk Home has acquired the brand and inventory of 70-year-old Norwell Lighting, which had been headquartered in East Taunton, Massachusetts. Only Norwell Lighting will join Elk Home; the Ilex and Custom Metalcraft brands, which involve domestic manufacturing, will remain in Massachusetts.

Lighting One Convention Lights Up Dallas

enLIGHTment | 3 min. read

Lighting One®, an industry-leading cooperative, lived up to its convention theme, “Lead The Way” to the future, as its annual convention was the kick off to Lightovation. The organization hosted its celebration cocktail party on June 20 at the Marriott City Center in Dallas. The cooperative’s members, aligned suppliers, and industry leaders gathered to honor the accomplishments of the industry. More than 200 people across the industry attended this festive event.

New buyer behavior and platform integration inspire Market rebrand

enLIGHTment | 3 min. read

International Market Centers – which operates the High Point Market, Las Vegas Market, and Atlanta Market, among other shows – has rebranded to reflect today’s omnichannel marketplace and better serve cross-channel buying behavior. As a result, the company has unified its physical marketplace business with its separately branded Juniper digital platform to create one entity under the brand: ANDMORE

WAC execs honored with the H Foundation’s Rick Wiedemer Guiding Light Award at Goombay Bash

enLIGHTment | 3 min. read

The joint CEO husband-and-wife team of Dirk and Shelley Wald of WAC Lighting has been selected to receive the 2023 Rick Wiedemer Guiding Light Award for their long-standing support of The H Foundation. The award will be given on July 22 at the annual Goombay Bash, the festive fundraiser held at the Grand Ballroom on Chicago’s Navy Pier that benefits cancer research at Northwestern University’s Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Crystorama brightens homes and lives with Habitat for Humanity partnership

enLIGHTment | 3 min. read

Crystorama has announced a partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Long Island, an affiliate of the nonprofit organization Habitat for Humanity International, which helps people in communities around the world build a place they can call home. This charitable initiative aims to enhance the living conditions of families in need, illuminating their homes with brightness, warmth, and a renewed sense of hope.

Retail + Sales + Marketing

Revolutionizing retail: How brick-and-mortar stores are using loyalty programs to tap into the influencer and creator economy

Bezinga | 3 min. read

The retail industry is currently undergoing a transformative phase, spurred by the rise of social media influencers and the creator economy. In this new landscape, traditional brick-and-mortar stores are lagging behind and need to find new ways to tap into the lucrative Creator Economy. What if leveraging “old” technology in a new innovative way was the key for retailers to infiltrate the influencer and creator economy?

4 predictions on the future of retail stores

Forbes | 4 min. read

Believe it or not, three-quarters of all U.S. retail sales are forecasted to occur offline this year. And paradoxically, the next evolution of e-commerce may make physical storefronts more durable. Innovative brands will apply a digital perspective to in-person retail—and unify offerings to deliver an improved customer experience across all channels. Here are four predictions on how that is likely to look.

How artificial intelligence will change retail

National Retail Federation | 4 min. read

Artificial intelligence has the power to transform retail marketing, merchandising and business operations — intelligently. And for those who might be considering the worst-case scenario, the reality is going to be far different.

Matching tech to new in-store experiences: 6 steps to success

Retail TouchPoints | 4 min. read

Brands and retailers are navigating two conflicting realities when it comes to their in-store experiences: they know they must adapt their store experiences to new shopper expectations, but at the same time they are dealing with tighter store design budgets. As a result, store design teams are thinking more critically, and intentionally, about their new physical experiences — especially if technology plays a supporting role.

Engineering + Technology

Light it up: How lighting can affect mental health

Digital Journal | 3 min. read

The way people respond to light has long been associated with mood and mental wellbeing. This includes people dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) to the potential need for blue light glasses. The impact of light on people remains an important research area.

Smart lighting in large homes: What showrooms need to know

Make Use Of | 5 min. read

If a customer has had the good fortune to settle in a large property, upgrading to smart lighting is a great option to help them manage their household's energy usage. Smart lights automate lighting wherever needed: an entire room, your bedside lamp, or a stairwell. Crucially, they also automate the off switch, saving money on energy bills. However, configuration in a bigger home can get pretty complicated, and larger indoor spaces will require significant planning.

The future of lighting: Exploring high-efficiency quantum dot LEDs

Energy Portal | 3 min. read

The future of lighting is set to be revolutionized by the development of high-efficiency quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QD-LEDs). These innovative devices have the potential to transform the way we light our homes, offices, and cities, offering a more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional lighting technologies. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change and energy consumption, the adoption of QD-LEDs could play a crucial role in reducing our carbon footprint and promoting sustainable development.

Lighting Design + Trends

25 entryway lighting ideas for a warm welcome

Better Homes & Gardens | 5 min. read

Proper lighting is not only vital for functionality, but it also adds a decorative touch to any area of the house. Your choice of entryway lighting is especially important since that's where you gather your things for the day and the first place guests see when they enter your house. Entryway lighting can help you make a good first impression and provide a warm welcome, plus there are plenty of options, including overhead fixtures, tabletop lamps, and wall sconces.

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