[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he summer edition of Lightovation will present an opportunity to discover new products, knowledge, and inspiration inside one of the largest residential lighting trade events in North America. The centerpiece event at the June 20-23 show is the opening of The SMART Center, a new 6,000-sq.-ft. education and activity center, powered by Dallas Market Center (DMC) and the American Lighting Association (ALA).
The SMART Center will be located in the Trade Mart (Space #4826) on the fourth floor and equipped with a seminar suite, lounge space, and reception area that will be open to all registered attendees, exhibitors, and guests throughout the show. The SMART Center replaces, expands, and upgrades ALA’s previous seminar location in the World Trade Center.
The Grand Opening celebration for The SMART Center is 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 20. A ribbon-cutting and toast will be followed by eight Certified Lighting Consultant (CLC®) presentations.
The SMART Center Grand Opening Event Schedule:
Wednesday, June 20
9 a.m. – ribbon cutting and toast
10 a.m. – Keynote: “The New Rules of Business Success: Capturing Today’s Consumer as a Destination Business,” Jon Schallert, popular past ALA Conference keynote speaker. Register
11 a.m. – Lighting Showroom Coalition meetup
Current members and curious retailers come learn more about joining this closed Facebook group for lighting retailers. Request to join by e-mailing lightingcoalition@gmail.com.
12 p.m. – Lunch & Learn with Peter Romaniello
Session on the subject of connected lighting with complimentary boxed lunch. Register
3 p.m. – Keynote: “Social Media Tools Proven to Drive Store Traffic,” Leslie Carothers, the home furnishings industry’s leading social media expert. Register
Thursday, June 21
A full day of NKBA-accredited educational sessions in partnership with National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS).
9 a.m. – “Advanced Lighting for Kitchens & Baths,” Karyn Judd Reilly, CKD, NCIDQ, designer and educator, Lights My Soul. Register
11 a.m. – “Rewriting the Rules on Kitchen Lighting,” Doug Walter, owner, Doug Walter Architects. Register
2 p.m. – “Designing Lighting Aesthetics for the Kitchen and Bathroom,” Patricia Davis Brown, CKBD, owner, Patricia Davis Brown Design, LLC. Register
4 p.m. – “How to Elevate Your Designs With Thoughtful Lighting,” Tammy Mackay, AKBD, interior designer, Design Eye. Register
5 p.m. – Beers With Peers
For ALA’s Young Executives and ART’s Under 40 groups.
Friday, June 22
11 a.m. – Introduction of the new ALA/IES Residential Lighting Standard for Interior and Exterior Residential Environments, by Terry McGowan, ALA’s Director of Engineering. Register
Showroom of the Year Awards
The 9th annual Showroom of the Year Awards program, open to all attendees with no tickets or additional registration required, is co-sponsored by Lighting & Decor magazine and Lightovation and honors exceptional lighting retailers. One Showroom of the Year will be named in each of three dollar-volume categories: Revenue Under $2 Million, Revenue Under $5 Million, and Revenue $5 Million and Over; and three specialty awards will also be presented. Lighting & Decor magazine profiled the 15 finalists in their May 2018 issue. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, June 20 at 6 p.m. in the Trade Mart 4 Loft area.
Market Choice Awards
Sponsored by enLIGHTenment magazine, the Market Choice Awards recognize new product introductions in six categories and serve as an opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their latest innovations to top lighting retailers. One winner will be named in each of the six product categories – Bath, Ceiling Fans, Chandeliers and Pendants, Outdoor, Portable Lamps and Technology – based on popular vote. Winning products will be announced at Lightovation after voting closes at noon on Thursday, June 21. Attendees can vote at marketchoiceawards.com, via the Lightovation app and at voting kiosks located near the north escalators on Trade Mart 3 and 4. Nearly 50 companies are participating and more than 100 products will be showcased online via the voting link, the Lightovation app, and in a convenient printed guide that can be picked up at the show. A bonus: if you show that you voted in the Market Choice Awards, you can get an extra drink ticket at Lighting After Dark.
Light Stars
Top retail salespeople from across North America will attend the show courtesy of the Light Stars program. Along with rewarding hard-working and talented showroom employees, the Light Stars program enhances the perspective of the next generation of lighting retailing by exposing salespeople to educational opportunities, display inspiration and a higher level of engagement with product introductions. Profiles of the 2018 Light Stars will be featured on an interactive touch screen in The SMART Center (TM 4826).
Lighting After Dark
On the opening night of the show at 8 p.m., all Lightovation attendees, exhibitors, and reps are invited to Lighting After Dark. Celebrate a successful first day at the industry party with a festive and Instagram-worthy Moroccan theme. Network with all facets of the lighting business; just bring your Lightovation badge for entry.
ALA Women in Lighting Reception
Savoy House (TM 4901) hosts a special reception for the ALA’s dynamic Women in Lighting group. Enjoy refreshments and mingle with other ladies who share a love for lighting from all experience levels and segments of the industry.
In addition to dynamic and fun events, there will also be debuts of hundreds of new products focused on ever-changing lighting advances and trends. Notable for June is the new location for Justice Design Group (TM 3920), exclusive landscape lighting technology launch from Kichler, the debut of the mini version of the popular Sirius fixture from Kuzco, and celebration of the 80th anniversary for AFX and the 70th anniversary for Robert Abbey. Individual showroom hospitality will include an opening night party at Legrand on Wednesday, June 20, 5 p.m. in TM 4727.
Additional information about the next edition of Lightovation is available on the Lightovation page of the Dallas Market Center website.
