ALA and DMC to Open The SMART Center for Seminars, Meetings, Networking at Dallas Lightovation

The American Lighting Association (ALA) is joining with Dallas Market Center to open The SMART Center, a new education and meeting center in the Dallas Trade Mart, suite 4826. Set to open at the 2018 Lightovation – Dallas International Lighting Show, June 20-23, the 6,000-square-foot facility will serve as a gathering spot for lighting industry professionals.

With numerous charging stations for phones and laptops, intimate seating areas, hospitality bar, comfort-driven lighting design and voice-activated technology, the high-tech space is much more than a place to host ALA seminars, training programs, certification classes and meetings. The SMART Center will also be a convenient and comfortable spot for professional and social networking throughout each lighting show.

Market attendees are invited to tour The SMART Center – so named to signify it as the place where Showrooms, Manufacturers And Reps Thrive – during the grand opening celebration, 9 a.m., Wed., June 20. The new facility takes the place of the former ALA Seminar Center on the third floor of the World Trade Center, and will be open to all registered market attendees, exhibitors and guests.

“We are thrilled to partner with Dallas Market Center and to help create a dynamic center of activity and understanding within the lighting marketplace,” said Eric Jacobson, CAE, president and CEO of ALA. “This is a vision fulfilled with great attention to detail and responsive to the specific, modern needs of our industry’s leaders. We look forward to inaugurating The SMART Center with a superb series of events.”

Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center, said, “To offer our customers a dedicated suite featuring unmatched comfort, customer service, inspiration and knowledge is a key benefit for everyone attending the show. To work together with the American Lighting Association makes it all the more special,” Morris said. “There’s no doubt that The SMART Center will only enhance our reputation as the leader of lighting innovation, style and hospitality.”

Among the first events to be held at The SMART Center will be eight Certified Lighting Consultant (CLC) accredited educational opportunities, as well as two captivating keynote speakers on June 20. A popular past ALA Conference speaker, Jon Schallert will present “The New Rules of Business Success: Capturing Today’s Consumer as a Destination Business.” Leslie Carothers, the home furnishings industry’s leading social media expert, will present “Social Media Tools Proven to Drive Store Traffic.” For a full schedule of educational offerings and speakers, please visit ALAMembers.com/Professional-Education/Live-Training.