From big upgrades to timely advocacy and must-attend events — ALA is moving forward.

View this email in your browser March 4, 2026   Dear ALA Member,   One of the great things about our industry is the ability to pivot quickly to meet trends and customer needs. I have learned that product development is never static and lines can shift dramatically in a short period of time based on innovation, demand, or government fiat.    ALA must be just as responsive. Our team has been working hard meet your needs and deliver real value. As we enter the final month of the first quarter — and the close of our dues renewal grace period — I wanted to share a few important updates on what's happening at ALA.   New Website. New Look. In a few weeks, you will see a brand-new look at alalighting.com as we launch our new website. We hope you'll find it to be a go-to source for lighting industry insight, information, and connection with peers. We hope these resources are easily accessible, and I urge you to bookmark the site.    Improved Member Portal. Better Experience. Alongside the new website, we're launching a new member system designed to improve your ALA experience. Many of you have been through system transitions before, and you know how necessary (and challenging) they can be. Our team has done a great job making this as seamless as possible.   You will see major benefits, including the ability to track employee class progress, monitor engagement across your company, and register more easily for events, webinars, and other ALA programs. For our staff, this upgrade reduces operational time, provides better reporting, and allows us to focus on our most important task: serving you.    Bringing Information to You. You have heard me talk about our Strategic Pillars at ALA: Advocacy, Education, Business Intelligence, and Connections. This month we have three programs that check each of those boxes.   On March 11th, ALA is partnering with the Battery Network to provide an overview of new battery recycling mandates impacting manufacturers shipping into Illinois and Vermont when products include batteries (i.e., for a remote controls or any use). On March 13th, the ALA NextGen Leadership Circle is kicking off its Lunch with Leaders webinar series with inaugural guest Laurie Gross (Gross Lighting & Home). Laurie will talk about her path in the industry, lessons learned, and where she sees the industry is headed. This interactive program is open to all and provides an opportunity for future leaders to learn from one of our industry’s leaders. On March 24-25, Peter Romaniello will lead an updated Beyond the Lighting Specialist workshop, which will provide critical information in a live and engaging class that will help grow product knowledge and lead to better profitability, all while providing your team with 8 CEUs. This is training that you can only access through ALA.   Advocating on Your Behalf. Within an hour of the Supreme Court verdict on tariffs, ALA provided members with a detailed summary of the ruling. We will continue to keep you informed on potential refunds and what comes next for our industry.   Additionally, ALA is tracking Dark Sky legislation introduced in several states. We are working closely with the Technical and Engineering Committee and have established a Lighting Subcommittee within our Government Affairs Committee to help shape an effective response to these bills, which affect all aspects of our channel.   I'm excited about the “Product Launches” you will see from ALA this month. I welcome your feedback and input as we continue to look at more ways to provide value to our members and strengthen the lighting industry.   Share:

Momentum, optimism, and what’s next for ALA.

View this email in your browser February 3, 2026   Dear ALA Members,   I often say that some people have “have to” jobs, while others have “get to” jobs. The difference is simple: At every level of every organization, there are people who feel obligated by their work — and others, sometimes in the very same company, who feel energized by it.   I am fortunate to fall squarely in the "get to" category. I genuinely enjoy what I do, and I am motivated by the opportunity to improve, whether that's an organization, an industry, or myself.   A quick note of transparency: First, if I'm ever offered the head coaching job of the Cincinnati Bengals, you may see me pacing the sidelines. (NIL would keep me out of college football.) Second, having a “get to” mindset does not mean every day is perfect. Even people who love their work have bad days or parts of the job they don't love. That is normal.  A Challenging Year — and a Surprising Shift There’s no question that 2025 wasn’t a year our industry will look back on fondly (Indiana Hoosiers fans aside). Coming into ALA from outside the industry, I sensed what could fairly be described as a crisis of confidence.   Economic uncertainty, political disruption, and rapid changes in channels and business models created understandable anxiety. I even saw the phrase “Survive 2025” used more than once.   But then something interesting happened.   When the ALA team walked the halls of the Dallas Market Center in January, we experienced something very different.   What we heard from our members was optimism. What we felt was momentum.   There was a clear “get to” spirit around the work our members are doing, the companies they are building, and the future of this industry.   Forward Focused As I think about ALA’s role moving forward, one phrase keeps coming to mind: forward focused.   Our responsibility is to meet our members where they’re headed, not where they’ve been. That means ensuring ALA’s resources, programs, and advocacy align with the energy, innovation, and evolution happening across the industry.   Lightovation was a powerful example of that alignment, including: The continued success of Women in Lighting The launch of the new Ceiling Fan Manual The debut of ALA’s NextGen Leadership Circle for emerging industry leaders We were also grateful for the time our Board of Governors spent engaging directly with members — listening, learning, and identifying how ALA can better serve you.   Looking Ahead In 2026 and beyond, ALA will continue to take a forward-focused approach, delivering resources, tools, and relationships that help our members succeed in an evolving marketplace.   We take seriously the time, talent, and treasure you invest in this association. It’s a responsibility we honor and a privilege we don’t take lightly. Our team truly gets to do this work with you, and that makes all the difference. Share:

Advocacy, Education, and Connections.

View this email in your browser Dear ALA Member,   Twenty years ago, the term “Cyber Monday” was coined. Since then, we’ve lived through a recession, a global pandemic, the rise of AI, and countless other shifts. We even watched Ohio State post a 15–5 record against Michigan, but who’s really counting?   And over those two decades, e-commerce has transformed how our members do business and even more importantly, what consumers expect from any shopping experience. Showrooms now face the challenge of excelling both in person and online. There’s no room for mediocrity, as customers have grown accustomed to easy digital purchasing and on-demand inventory. People are even buying houses online without setting foot in them.   It’s clear we won’t be returning to a world where every purchase begins in person.   As we work through our dues renewal cycle, I occasionally hear the question, “What is ALA doing for my business during times of change?” In this issue, I want to highlight how our work aligns with our three strategic pillars: Advocacy, Education & Business Intelligence, and Connections.   Advocacy Our industry is facing two major challenges. First, uncertified, untested, and unrated products are hitting the market through third-party online retailers, undercutting legitimate manufacturers—not because of innovation, but because they’re ignoring the requirements our members follow. It’s wrong and it’s dangerous. Second, our members’ intellectual property is being stolen, rebranded, or outright counterfeited, flooding the market with inferior products that harm both the targeted companies and the industry as a whole. All of this pulls business away from our members’ legitimate e-commerce platforms and showrooms.   ALA is working with the U.S. Government at both executive and legislative levels to raise awareness and drive solutions. Later this month, we will participate in a Capitol Hill event highlighting the dangers of counterfeit goods. We are also pressing major online retailers to strengthen compliance and stop ignoring the problem.   Education and Business Intelligence A knowledgeable workforce sets our members apart from those entities that simply take orders and pull boxes. In 2026, we will add a new Ceiling Fan Manual and courses to the ALA library. Similarly, we will continue to look for providing content that is relevant in this evolving space. For example, we're preparing programming on ADA compliance for e‑commerce sites, a critical issue as lawsuits against non‑compliant retailers increase. Our goal is to provide best‑in‑class resources that give members a competitive edge.   Connections Committees and councils drive our work. The Government Affairs Steering Committee and Engineering and Technical Committee have shaped policy priorities. The Data Standards Committee has reconvened to help members adapt to industry changes. Our focus on ADA compliance programming began with a member raising the issue. ALA connects members with each other and with the broader industry to advance solutions.   Every initiative we take is rooted in one purpose: helping your business thrive in a rapidly changing world. It is a privilege to serve you, and we look forward to a strong finish to 2025! Share: Powered by Glue Up All-in-one CRM Software for Growing Communities