ALA's 2025 Conference Signals Strong Industry Growth and Strategic Focus for the Future

The American Lighting Association (ALA) concluded its 2025 Conference, held September 7–9 in Louisville, Kentucky, with a clear mandate from members: accelerate innovation, expand advocacy and deliver measurable business value. The three‑day event drew a diverse cross‑section of manufacturers, retailers, designers, manufacturer representatives and industry partners from across North America, uniting to chart the next chapter for the lighting industry.

Post‑conference surveys revealed that 92% of attendees left with actionable ideas to strengthen their businesses, and 88% rated networking opportunities as “excellent” or “very good”, underscoring the event’s role as a catalyst for collaboration and growth.

Strategic Updates and Industry Advocacy

The conference opened with a spirited welcome celebration, sponsored by Coleto Brands – Kichler Lighting and Progress Lighting, setting the tone for a forward‑looking agenda.

ALA President & CEO Jon Melchi outlined the association’s strategic priorities, emphasizing Advocacy and Industry Relations, Education and Business Intelligence and Connections. He was joined by Government Affairs Consultant Palmer Schoening, who provided a targeted briefing on legislative and regulatory developments, reinforcing ALA’s commitment to ensuring members’ interests are represented in Washington, D.C., Ottawa and in state capitols.

Economic and Technical Insights Driving Business Decisions

Economic analysts Jeremy Bess and Patrick Luce of Stantec delivered a sector‑specific outlook, equipping attendees with data‑driven forecasts to guide investment and product strategy.

A packed Ceiling Fan Technical Update session previewed the upcoming launch of ALA’s new Ceiling Fan Training Manual, a resource designed to elevate technical proficiency and customer service across the industry.

Leadership, Innovation and Market Trends

The Women in Lighting (WIL) program spotlighted leadership journeys from Cathy Choi, Martha Graham, Laurie Gross, and Maria Mullen, stories that resonated with survey respondents, 85% of whom said the session inspired them to pursue new leadership or mentorship opportunities.

Designer Tamara Day’s keynote on resilience and reinvention was followed by a trends session that gave attendees practical tools to align product offerings with evolving consumer preferences.

Technology strategist Stephen Turner demonstrated how artificial intelligence can streamline operations and unlock new revenue streams, an area 67% of surveyed members identified as a top priority for 2026.

Celebrating Excellence and Building the Future

The Lighting Connections Luncheon facilitated high‑value networking between manufacturers and attendees, with survey feedback highlighting it as the #1 rated session for business relationship building.

The conference closed with the induction of Troy Lee of Savoy House into the ALA Lighting Hall of Fame, honoring his decades of innovation and leadership. The Bluegrass Bash, sponsored by Minka, capped the event with a celebration of industry camaraderie.

Looking Ahead

The ALA invites members to join the 2026 ALA Conference, September 27–29 at the Westin La Paloma in Tucson, Arizona, where the focus will be on expanding market reach, advancing sustainability initiatives and leveraging technology for competitive advantage.