ALA to Host Virtual Symposium with Leading Industry Experts

Authorities in Retail, Marketing, Economics and Lighting to Present During Three-day Event

As people across the world adjust their lives to face new challenges, opportunity awaits in the lighting and home furnishings industries. ALA recently announced plans to hold a 2020 Virtual Symposium, Sept 14-16, covering the critical information members need to know as they adapt to business in the era of COVID-19. The news comes following the cancelation of the 2020 ALA Conference due to the health concerns associated with the virus.

During the association’s first-ever three-day virtual meeting, leading experts in the fields of retail, marketing, economics, and all things lighting will present on the topics ALA members are most concerned about today.

“Extensive planning has gone into ensuring we are highlighting the topics our members want and need to see right now,” said Eric Jacobson, ALA president and CEO. “Through direct conversations, membership-wide surveys and meetings with ALA’s leadership, we have curated a program that we feel will be of great value to our members during this unique time.”

The symposium will primarily consist of live education sessions focused on highly relevant topics for today’s business climate. Virtual session speakers will be available to interact with audience members and answer questions following their presentations. In addition to the live sessions, members will also be invited to join their peers for virtual networking and conversation. There will also be an ALA Women in Lighting event, in which all members are encouraged to participate. 

All sessions and activities will be spread out over three days, allowing members to continue their workdays while still attending the virtual symposium. Additionally, members who pay to attend the symposium will receive access to recorded versions of all the education sessions so they can revisit or view presentations they may have missed.

Featured presentations include:

• Top Five Ways to Boost Your Retail Sales TOMORROW
• Future of Lighting and Connected Products Panel
• Working with Designers to Grow Your Showroom Business
• Global Drivers Affecting Residential Lighting
• COVID-19 and the Presidential Election: Coming Changes to the Economic and Business Landscape
• UV Germicidal Lighting
• Top Five Residential Technical Market Opportunities
• Leadership in a Virtual and Multi-generational Workplace
• Creating a Workplace That Will Thrive in the Next Normal
• Home Office Lighting Techniques
• The Big Four – How to Evaluate Fixtures
• Fast Track to the New Reality: How Retailers Can Quickly Implement Other Selling Strategies Into Their Stores Amidst COVID-19

“While we are disappointed that we cannot host our traditional ALA Conference this year, we are excited for the opportunity to host our virtual symposium,” added Jacobson. “One benefit of a virtual event is that it opens the opportunity to participate to members who may not typically be able to attend the ALA Conference. We look forward to seeing some new faces and sharing ALA’s training programs and networking opportunities with all our members.”

As the program events and schedule are finalized, additional details and registration information will be distributed to members via email and social media and available online at ALAMembers.com.