WAC Group to Host American Lighting Association Women in Lighting Reception During Lightovation

12 Dec 2025

Diamonds Denim and Discussion WIL invitation with images of diamonds and denim

The American Lighting Association’s (ALA) Women in Lighting (WIL) Committee has announced plans for its signature networking reception during the January 10-13 Lightovation show in Dallas. This year’s event, “Diamonds, Denim & Discussion,” will take place Sunday, January 11, from 4 PM to 5:30 PM in the WAC Group Showroom (TM-3101), offering an evening of connection, conversation, and celebration.

The Women in Lighting reception welcomes all attendees regardless of gender or ALA membership. This event creates space for community, mentorship, and shared experience among women across every corner of the lighting industry.

This market’s reception will feature an elevated experience, including a live DJ, appetizers, drinks, and a Cowboy Hat Bar where guests can decorate their own hat. The Cowboy Hat Bar will be available to the first 100 attendees, so early arrival is encouraged. Attendees can also pick up a commemorative gift from the host, the WAC Group.

Attendees will not want to miss the chance to pick up the brand-new Women in Lighting (WIL) pin and a commemorative T-shirt from the 2025 ALA Conference in Louisville, both featuring the group’s new logo design. While supplies last, grab the pin and matching T-shirt together for just $20. Every purchase supports the Women in Lighting (WIL) Scholarship Fund. Created through the Kathy Skogen Memorial Fund, this scholarship provides access to ALA training and certification programs for women across the lighting industry. Your support helps ALA uplift and invest in the incredible women who strengthen and shape the lighting field.

The reception will also highlight the opportunity to join Women in Lighting’s highly regarded Mentorship Groups. Launched in 2024, these small, focused groups provide women in the lighting industry with meaningful ways to connect, share knowledge, and grow together in monthly virtual sessions. Each group meets for 10 months, fostering collaboration and professional development within a supportive cohort of about 10 participants. New mentorship groups will form for 2026, running from February through November, and attendees at the reception can learn more and sign up. Watch the WIL Mentorship page for more details; the deadline to sign up is January 19, 2026.

The event will also promote nominations for the Women in Lighting Leadership Award. Nominations for 2026 are open until April 1, 2026, and the award recipient will be announced at the Women in Lighting Reception during the June 24-27 Lightovation show. The official award presentation will take place at the September 27-29, 2026, ALA Conference in Tucson, AZ. Any ALA member may be nominated, and each nominee must also be an ALA member.

For more information about Women in Lighting, visit www.lightingwomen.com, join the WIL Facebook Group and LinkedIn Group, and follow @ALAWomenInLighting on Instagram.