Stay tuned for the full lineup of speakers for the 2025 ALA Conference.
Tamara Day
Designer & Television HostDesigner and host of Magnolia Network’s Bargain Mansions, Tamara Day is a purveyor of the glam and cozy. This busy wife and mother of four styles for the spirited home, mixing glam, comfort, and family. Tamara and her crew transform big, old houses that she finds at bargain prices. While respecting the integrity and history of the homes, she integrates modern design, function and style to a space – helping create beautiful spaces for today’s busy families.
Jeremy Bess
Economist at StantecJeremy Bess is an Economist with over a decade of experience. A University of Tampa graduate with an MBA from the University of South Florida, he has worked in investment management, insurance advisory, and economic research all while layering in countless keynotes. Now part of Stantec's Market Economic Insights and Solutions team, Jeremy specializes in providing clear, actionable strategies to businesses and policy makers, using his expertise in economic trends and statistics.
Patrick Luce
Economist at StantecPatric Luce is an Economist and Professor with a master's in economics from the University of South Florida. He has delivered financial and economic analysis to both private and public clients, presented to C-suite executives, and managed SaaS product development. Now a key figure at Stantec's Market Economic Insights and Solutions team, Patrick is a sought-after speaker and opinion leader, known for providing actionable macroeconomic insights.
Stephen Turner
Turner Time ManagementStephen Turner is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of business experience, specializing in technology and productivity. With more than 18 years of experience sharing valuable time management tools, techniques, and tips, Stephen has helped thousands of professionals across the country. His speaking, training, and coaching sessions have made a significant impact on organizations looking to enhance employee productivity.
Having worked closely with independent sales and marketing agencies, Stephen has honed his ability to leverage technology—ranging from desktops and laptops to mobile devices—helping professionals maximize their sales and productivity outcomes.
Founded in 2006, Turner Time Management, LLC (TTM℠) focuses on providing Performance Management and Workforce Productivity training, coaching, and video tutorials. TTM℠ equips business professionals with practical tools, techniques, and strategies for effective time management, especially in areas like and E-mail Management and Task and Project Management
Lauren Abney
Business Strategist for AI at Google- Gen AI Tools Workshop: Hands-on Practice
- AI as Your Business Multiplier: Actionable Tools to Empower Brand Growth
Lauren Abney is a Business Strategist for AI at Google, where she collaborates with the company's largest clients and executives to transform business through AI-driven marketing and consumer experiences. Her expertise in contemporary market strategies across Health, Beauty, Technology, and CPG industries has enabled her to guide transformational growth for numerous companies during her tenure as Client Partner at Google. She also co-hosts the "Well/Behaved" podcast and serves as a trusted advisor to many brands focused on the technology, health, and wellness space. Her unique perspective blends cutting-edge AI knowledge, deep industry experience, and a passion for exploring the intersection of technology and human potential.
Lisa McDennon
Designer- What Designers are Looking for When Sourcing Lighting for Client Projects
- Product Design and Development from an Interior Designer Perspective
Lisa McDennon is an award winning designer from Laguna Beach, California, Lisa's artistry extends beyond the realm of interiors, seamlessly blending her deep-rooted passion and education in Fine Art into innovative product design. This unique perspective has yielded remarkable success evident in her licensed collection with Hinkley Lighting. Lisa’s original designs for Hinkley have been top-sellers at Ferguson.
At the helm of Lisa McDennon Design, Lisa leads a talented team of designers, bringing their collective vision to projects across the nation. Her influence extends beyond the residential sphere, with the establishment of Nuance, a chic boutique showcasing a curated selection of decor and unique gifts. Lisa is rare in that she possesses a unique blend of creative and analytical skills, demonstrating both design expertise and business acumen.
Bob Henderson, LC, CLEP
Bob has worked in lighting as a consultant, lighting center principal instructor, lighting sales agent, utility lighting specialist, and director of lighting and controls training. He is also an emeritus member of the IES and received the Distinguished Service Award from the IES in 2023. He has presented over 100 different lighting seminars on indoor and outdoor lighting and controls during his career, including the popular Energy Efficiency and Cost-effective Lighting sponsored by the North Carolina State University Extension Service and Basic Lighting Design for interior designers and architects, as well as Energy-efficient Lighting - Basics and Advanced Levels. Bob has also worked with cities and counties across North and South Carolina to develop over 25 Municipal and County Outdoor Lighting Ordinances.
Gene Hoffman
Founder & President of Branding EssentialGene Hoffman is the driving force behind Branding Essential, bringing nearly five decades of expertise to the world of retail. Gene’s journey began as a teenager at Kenny's Shoes, where his passion for customer service and sales took root. Throughout the years, he honed his skills and made significant strides, eventually landing a sales role as the 2nd hired employee at Lamps Plus.
Gene’s career at Lamps Plus started as a showroom salesperson and progressed through various leadership roles, including store manager, district manager, director of sales, and ultimately, vice president of sales. For the last 25 years as vice president of sales, Gene led the charge in understanding and communicating the specific value that brands bring to consumers. He recognized the challenge of consistently articulating these advantages across the sales team, and developed innovative strategies to bridge this gap.
Gene’s experience revolves around solving brand recognition at the consumer level for lighting manufacturers. He has developed a proven linear marketing solution that starts with the manufacturer, leads to their representatives, and extends to retailers. Retailers are then charged with training frontline sales associates to effectively articulate the competitive advantages the manufacturer brings to the consumer. It is at this training step that most manufacturers lose control of their messaging when they hand it off to a retailer—a problem that is resolved through Branding Essential.
At Branding Essential, Gene combines his wealth of experience with a visionary approach, committed to helping businesses unlock their full potential through innovative branding strategies. Under his leadership, Branding Essential stands out for its unique methodologies and unwavering dedication to client success.
Mark Lien
Mark has designed interior and exterior lighting systems for a wide range of applications including residential, municipal, retail, healthcare and both conventional and nuclear power plants. He started his lighting career by managing home centers and a lighting showroom. Mark has provided lighting education while working, presenting, and teaching across four continents. He serves on over twenty lighting related committees including ASHRAE, ANSI, IEEE, IUVA, IDA and the IES. As a part of his work, he monitors over 100 lighting related organizations.
Mark is a columnist for Lighting Design and Application Magazine writing on the changes in our industry and he hosts a podcast on lighting trends and technologies. Mark has served on multiple boards and is currently on several executive committees advising various organizations. He has received numerous awards for his work. Mark ran the educational centers for both Cooper and Hubbell Lighting and was the Director of Government & Industry Relations for OSRAM SYLVANIA before joining the Illuminating Engineering Society and he serves as lighting consultant to the IES today through his company, Augmented Illumination.