Agenda ⇽ 2025 ALA Conference | American Lighting Association on Glue Up

Monday, September 8, 2025 8:00^AM to 10:00^AM: 8:00^AM - 10:00^AM
Bright Beginnings: Wake-up Breakfast
Start Conference on a high note with this energizing new breakfast experience! Featuring sunrise-themed lighting, great food, and thought-provoking conversation, this wake-up breakfast brings attendees together across roles to discuss hot topics in the lighting industry. Whether you're here to listen, learn, or lead, you'll leave feeling more connected and inspired for the day ahead.

Tuesday, September 9, 2025 8:00^AM to 10:00^AM

8:00^AM - 10:00^AM

Breakfast and Keynote Presentation
Tamara Day

Join us for breakfast and a keynote presentation by designer Tamara Day.

From Setback to Spotlight: Reinventing Your Brand When the Rules Change

Tamara Day
Designer & Television Host

Monday, September 8, 2025 10:20^AM to 11:20^AM

10:20^AM - 11:20^AM

What Designers are Looking for When Sourcing Lighting for Client Projects
Lisa McDennon

Lisa McDennon
Designer

Tuesday, September 9, 2025 10:15^AM to 11:15^AM

10:15^AM - 11:15^AM

Gen AI Tools Workshop: Hands-on Practice
Lauren Abney

What’s Gen AI All About?
Learn what Generative AI is and how companies are using it to move faster, get creative, and shake things up.

Hands-On Workshop
Bring your laptop! We'll roll up our sleeves and play around with some of the coolest AI creative tools out there.

Bring Ideas to Life
Discover how easy it is to turn text, images, audio, and video into something amazing — just by using natural language and a few simple prompts.

Lauren Abney
Business Strategist for AI at Google

Monday, September 8, 2025 10:20^AM to 11:20^AM

10:20^AM - 11:20^AM

Shedding Light on the Science of Illumination: A Step-by-step Introduction to Photometry
Bob Henderson, LC, CLEP

Lighting is both an art form and a scientific discipline centered on the principles of illumination. In this breakout session, we will explore the science of photometry, progressing through foundational concepts step by step. The session will address the following topics:
• Definition and scope of photometry
• Understanding photometric reports
• Interpreting data within a photometric report
• Key photometric terminology and concepts
• The IES file format and its application in lighting calculations
• How to analyze and interpret a color vector
• Simplifying lighting calculations for practical use
We will begin by defining photometry itself and then delve into its practical applications within the field of lighting.

Bob Henderson, LC, CLEP

Tuesday, September 9, 2025 10:15^AM to 11:20^AM

10:20^AM - 11:20^AM

The Future of the Industry
Mark Lien

The lighting industry is evolving. Customers have accepted price and performance levels for LEDs and that part of our market is maturing. Part of our evolution is that lighting products are converging with other technologies and increasing in complexity while decreasing in size. This session will address the trends and technologies impacting our lighting community and offer insight into the current state of the lighting industry. We will also glimpse into the future looking at upcoming products and market shifts. Light & health, 3D printed luminaires & sources, 24-hour showroom shopping with virtual reality and new ways to generate light will be discussed.

Mark Lien

Monday, September 8, 2025 11:40^AM to 1:50^PM

11:40^AM - 12:10^PM

ALA Business Meeting

Participate in the election of ALA's new Board Members and other association business.

12:10^PM - 1:50^PM

Lunch & Keynote Presentation
Jeremy Bess•Patrick Luce

Navigate the Economy: Prepare for Takeoffs and Landings
In a world where uncertainty is the only constant, navigating the complexities of the economy can lead to decision-making paralysis. Amidst the information overload and click-bait headlines, understanding economic realities becomes increasingly challenging.

This session is designed to empower attendees with data-driven insights to cut through the noise and provide actionable management solutions for navigating what is going on today and plan for what's ahead. This presentation will connect the microeconomic dynamics of the American Lighting Association markets with the core economic phenomena that you deal with every day.

Join us for outlooks from experts who will explore these critical areas, providing clear, unbiased perspectives on the current economic landscape. Equip yourself with the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed decisions in an ever-evolving economic environment.

Jeremy Bess
Economist at Stantec
Patrick Luce
Economist at Stantec

Tuesday, September 9, 2025 11:30^AM to 2:00^PM: 11:40^AM - 12:10^PM
Keynote Presentation; 12:20^PM - 2:00^PM
The Winner's Circle: Lighting Connections Luncheon
The Manufacturer Event gets a fresh spin this year with Derby-inspired flair! From race card trivia to interactive stations and a themed lunch, this is your chance to connect with the industry's key players in a fun and structured way. Whether you're new to conference or a seasoned attendee, the playful format and immersive networking activities are designed to spark new ideas and build lasting relationships.

Monday, September 8, 2025 2:00^PM to 3:10^PM

2:10^PM - 3:10^PM

A Deeper Dive into the Economic Feature of the Industry
Jeremy Bess•Patrick Luce

Full details coming soon.

Jeremy Bess
Economist at Stantec
Patrick Luce
Economist at Stantec

Tuesday, September 9, 2025 2:00^PM to 3:10^PM

2:10^PM - 3:10^PM

The Seven Pillars of Productivity • More Success. Less Stress
Stephen Turner

Full details coming soon!

Stephen Turner
Turner Time Management

Monday, September 8, 2025 2:10^PM to 3:10^PM

2:10^PM - 3:10^PM

The Power of Every Interaction: Strengthening Brand Presence in a Competitive Market
Gene Hoffman

Attendees will leave with practical, ready-to-implement insights tailored for immediate impact in their business.
• We'll explore proven strategies that drive sales growth and enhance overall performance.
• Most importantly, we'll tackle the critical challenge of bridging the gap between manufacturers and frontline sales associates.
• These strategies not only strengthen competitive advantage across the board but also deliver greater value to the end consumer.

Gene Hoffman
Founder & President of Branding Essential

Tuesday, September 9, 2025 2:00^PM to 3:10^PM

2:10^PM - 3:10^PM

The Future of Marketing, Advertising, Education and Social Media
Mark Lien

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is growing in its power over our lives and accelerating into the marketplace at unprecedented speed. It can suck us into endless YouTube videos and social media engagement, often with nothing of value to show for our time. It can generate and distribute misinformation faster and more effectively than any alternative method without consequence, morals, or conscience. Anything strong enough to help us is strong enough to hurt us and AI promises both. The potential for rapid advancements and enhancement to our writing and graphics is evident already and more tools are available every week. Conversely, the ability of AI to disseminate lies, deepfake images and voices, and to hallucinate incorrect responses is a current threat. The creators of generative AI have lost control of their creation. They do not understand why it does what it does and many of them are afraid and warning us of impending danger. We are also warned that not embracing AI will make us irrelevant, , The lighting community needs to use AI for good while minimizing its negative impact on us. Hundreds of new tools are available to us for marketing, design, manufacturing, collaboration, developing AI agents, consumer education and more. Attend this session to identify the best of them, what is coming and how we can help to safeguard ourselves and our businesses while utilizing these helpful new tools.

Mark Lien

Monday, September 8, 2025 2:10^PM to 5:00^PM

2:10^PM - 3:10^PM

Product Design and Development from an Interior Designer Perspective
Lisa McDennon

Lisa McDennon
Designer

Tuesday, September 9, 2025 2:10^PM to 3:10^PM

2:10^PM - 3:10^PM

AI as Your Business Multiplier: Actionable Tools to Empower Brand Growth
Lauren Abney

The Unprecedented Opportunity
AI isn’t just about disruption — it’s a once-in-a-generation chance to boost human potential and unlock new possibilities.

Consumer Impact
Get a closer look at the biggest breakthroughs in AI and how they're changing the way people live, shop, and connect. We'll bring it to life with demos, real-world examples, and stories you can relate to.

Industry Inspiration
Walk away with practical tools, tips, and ideas for how you can start using AI in your work today — to spark innovation, drive results, and stay ahead of the curve.

Lauren Abney
Business Strategist for AI at Google

Sunday, September 7, 2025 5:00^PM to 9:00^PM: 7:00^PM - 9:00^PM
Opening Party
Kick off Conference with your fellow attendees over delicious food and drinks. Reconnect with old friends and make new connections during this fun-filled evening!

Monday, September 8, 2025 4:30^PM to 6:00^PM: 4:30^PM - 6:00^PM
Women in Lighting Event
Join the ALA Women in Lighting for an insightful, engaging presentation featuring past honorees of the ALA Women in Lighting Leadership Award. Following the presentation, take part a fun, interactive event where you'll make fascinators or fedoras with the Kentucky Derby Museum. Show your style and mingle with fellow attendees during this unique activity!

Tuesday, September 9, 2025 6:00^PM to 9:00^PM: 6:00^PM - 7:00^PM
Awards Reception
Honor the 2025 ALA Hall of Fame Inductee; 7:00^PM - 9:00^PM
Shine On: ALA Closing Blue Grass Bash
This year's closing event is more than a party - it's a celebration of connection, creativity, and community. The "Bluegrass & Bright Lights" Bash blends Southern charm with a vibrant, music-filled sendoff that highlights the warmth and innovation of the lighting industry. From comfort food stations and surprise moments, every detail is designed to leave you glowing. Come for dinner and live music, stay for the laughter, awards, and memorable experiences that will light your way home.

Sunday, September 7, 2025 8:30^AM to 3:30^PM: 8:30^AM - 10:30^AM
Churchill Downs & Kentucky Derby Museum Tour*
Join us for an exclusive group tour of the Kentucky Derby Museum and Churchill Downs. Enjoy Kentucky-inspired dishes and experience the backside of the racetrack during a rail-side breakfast in the Track Kitchen all while watching the horses during their morning workouts. Plus, enjoy a viewing of “The Greatest Race,” a 360° multimedia experience that will give you chills as you are immersed in the magic of the Derby. The museum includes two floors of interactive exhibits and artifacts dating back to 1875, the year of the first Kentucky Derby. You’ll also get access to the Resident horses at the Stable and the Derby Museum Store to bring home a memento from this incredible, unique experience. Plus, enjoy the Derby Café and Bourbon Bar onsite to sample Kentucky stables like Mint Juleps and Bourbon flights! Transportation will be provided from the Louisville Marriott Downtown to this activity and back to the hotel. All proceeds from this event’s registration benefit the ALA Education Foundation, a 501c3 dedicated to industry advancement and education.; 1:30^PM - 3:30^PM
Louisville Slugger & Bourbon Experience*
Join your fellow Conference attendees at the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory followed by a bourbon experience class. First, take a guided tour through the Louisville Slugger factory, a trip into the Bat Vault, and a 13-minute film called Heart of the Game in the Theater. All participants will receive an 18-inch souvenir bat to commemorate the experience. Then, move next door to take part in the bourbon experience class at Barrels & Billets. You’ll learn about the history of bourbon and get to taste six of their bourbons, including the 200 Year Oak, European Oak, American Oak, Cherry Wood, Maple Wood, and Smoked Oak. Then, create your own custom bourbon! If you like the bourbon you’ve created, you will be able to purchase that specific blend with your own custom label on the bottle for an additional $55. Transportation will be provided from the Louisville Marriott Downtown to this activity and back to the hotel. All proceeds from this event’s registration benefit the ALA Education Foundation, a 501c3 dedicated to industry advancement and education.

Agenda

Tamara Day

Lisa McDennon

Lauren Abney

Bob Henderson, LC, CLEP

Mark Lien

Jeremy Bess

Patrick Luce

Jeremy Bess

Patrick Luce

Stephen Turner

Gene Hoffman

Mark Lien

Lisa McDennon

Lauren Abney

Registration