ALA announced the next Lighting Specialist training course will be hosted June 3- 6, 2019, at Acuity Brands Lighting in Des Plaines, Ill., near Chicago.

ALA recently announced The Retail Doctor, Bob Phibbs, as keynote speaker for the ALA Annual Conference in Phoenix, Ariz., Sept. 15 - 17, 2019. Phibbs is well-known across various industries for helping brick-and-mortar retailers beat online competition through exceptional customer experiences.

Hiring and retaining dedicated and skilled employees, particularly in the retail industry, can be difficult. Finding someone who will work hard, fit in with company culture, and stick around for the long run is no easy task.

Last year, ALA launched a completely redesigned member website at ALAMembers.com, which included the launch of a new education platform. The education platform now allows ALA members to take control of their professional education by tracking completed courses, certifications, and more.

Finalists for the 2019 Showroom of the Year Awards, honoring outstanding lighting retailers across North America, have been announced.