Lighting One®, an industry-leading cooperative, lived up to its convention theme, “Lead The Way” to the future, as its annual convention was the kick off to Lightovation. The organization hosted its celebration cocktail party on June 20 at the Marriott City Center in Dallas. The cooperative’s members, aligned suppliers, and industry leaders gathered to honor the accomplishments of the industry. More than 200 people across the industry attended this festive event.
Honorees included longtime industry vetran Eric Jacobson for Lifetime Achievement and Capitol Lighting for the Humanitarian Award.
Lighting One also awarded:
Representative of the Year – Todd Tuchfarber, Midwest Lighting Group
Supplier Partner of the Year – Savoy House
Showroom Member of the Year – The Light House Gallery, Springfield, Mo.
A CONTENT-PACKED CONVENTION
With the input of the Lighting One Advisory Council, the day-and-a-half convention began on Monday, June 19 and featured valuable content that included the opportunity to share best business practices, participate in supplier speed-dating sessions, home improvement industry data, Lighting One program advantages and time to network with peers.
President Gregg Garofalo welcomed those members in attendance and thanked them for their continued commitment and support of their co-op and our industry. During his business review Garofalo commented, “While we have had many challenges over the past few years, and now facing new ones today, you’re Lighting One Cooperative remains strong and a leader in the industry because of your Unity and the strength and Power of One The key is we must continue to Evolve for a brighter and stronger future.”
Angie Prost, Vice President said, “During convention, Lighting One launched the third wave of our Exclusive product line in partnership with Savoy House. The 11 new collections are on display in Savoy House’s, private Lighting One showroom. The 45 collections now encompass over 150 skus and are only accessible to Lighting One members. These products are supported by increased profitability, higher-than-industry IMAP control, and an exclusive catalog.” Additionally, Prost reminded members, “These products will be featured throughout the year in Lighting One’s consumer marketing program as well as on members e-commerce platform.”
During Monday’s general session, the VP of Lighting One’s marketing team Deb Weis, presented the Marketing and E-commerce updates and enhancements to showroom members. Today’s lighting showrooms need to be able to deliver on this seamless online, in-showroom experience. She discussed tangible steps showrooms can take to improve their marketing health score. The Lighting One marketing team helps cooperative members deliver on this expectation through their digital marketing and ecommerce enabled catalog programs.
INDUSTRY SUPPORT
Prost announced at the Celebration Gala that, “With the input of the Advisory Council, this year’s convention was all about networking and relationship building. The June convention and market provides members with networking time not only with each other, but with the Lighting One aligned supplier partners. Furthermore, Dallas is the home of the lighting industry and is a cost-effective destination convenient for our members and our supplier partners—the vast majority of which have their trading headquarters located at Dallas Market Center. We are proud to drive attendance to the June Market and believe it is important to support the showroom members to remain sustainable and profitable in this increasingly competitive industry.”
During the Gala, Lighting One showed their support of The H Foundation in their 50/50 raffle which garnered $1,430 and was won by Larry Metz of Northern Lighting & Fan [who donated his winnings back to the foundation]. Garofalo encouraged all members to support Goombay/The H Foundation on July 22 to raise funds for basic cancer research projects to help them compete for additional government or private funding. For more information on future Goombay Bash events, please visit goombaybash.com.
Showrooms or suppliers interested in partnering with Lighting One should contact Angie Prost at membership@lightingone.com.
