At the Lighting One convention closing event last night, the camaraderie and commitment from manufacturers…
Read More →
Lighting One Convention Concludes With Optimism & Shared Success
At the Lighting One convention closing event last night, the camaraderie and commitment from manufacturers and showrooms to continue their path to success was palpable.
Typically when Lighting One members have mentioned the benefits of the group, the topic of rebates comes up first. This year, members told me that enjoying rebates is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to value.
Noted long-time member David Director of Connecticut Lighting Centers, “I think my membership in Lighting One is more valuable now than any time before. We are able to discuss the challenges we are facing – whether a showroom is large or small, we all have similar experiences – and share solutions. The networking aspect is especially important to the young people in our industry.”
Cindy Agers Strong, of The Lighting Corner in Michigan, echoes that sentiment. “I see so much value from my membership in all areas — from the great amount of networking to the one-on-one speed dating meetings with vendors,” she said.
One of the benefits that Lighting One makes available is the ability to participate in nationwide business services. Through its partnership with Lighting One’s parent organization CCA, Synchrony bank provides showrooms with the capability to offer their customers financing options. “It’s like a store credit card,” explained Monica Piedel, avp/client services manager for the Home Improvement sector. Through Synchrony, Lighting One credit card holders can use their card to finance other purchases for their home, such as mattresses and furniture from participating retailers. “We also give free marketing materials, such as social media posts promoting the showroom’s ability to offer financing,” she added.
Lighting showrooms that are not members of Lighting One can sign up with Synchrony to offer a financing program, however, the price for Lighting One members is significantly lower due to the size of the CCA organization.
Gregg Garofalo, president of Lighting One, told the audience, “The lighting industry is always evolving and it relies on the personal relationships we form. Dallas Market Center has been an amazing partner for us.” The Lighting One convention is timed to coincide with the start of Lightovation and Garofalo encouraged members to visit the show.
Garogalo then recognized its partnership with the American Lighting Association, lauded Laurie Gross of Gross Electric for her hard work in guiding the association through its transition in leadership, and welcomed new ALA president Jon Melchi to the stage.
“We are dedicated to providing an association that is worthy of this industry,” Melchi said. “We know we can’t take anything for granted, and we are committed to earning your trust.”
The ALA raffled off two special outings during its upcoming annual conference in Louisville, Kentucky in September. The first outing is a visit to Churchill Downs with a behind-the-scenes look at the famed home of the Kentucky Derby, and the second is a visit to the Louisville Slugger Museum and a whiskey distillery tour. Rosie Kint of Lightstyles of California won a ticket to the Louisville Slugger Museum and Ella Deryavko of Lyteworks won the ticket to the Churchill Downs tour.
Receiving Lighting One’s Showroom of the Year Award was Hortons in Chicago for its work with The H Foundation in raising funds for cancer research. The annual Goombay Bash event at Navy Pier has raised $8 million for cancer research since its inception, Rot told the audience. “The H Foundation doesn’t work with the support of everyone in this room. You are all a part of what we’ve been able to do,” he said. “Our industry is very special. Thirty years ago, I entered this industry as a new kid on the block and everyone embraced me. We are all family.”
Lighting One’s Humanitarian Award went to Kichler for its involvement in numerous philanthropic endeavors. Vijay Shankar, president of Kichler, accepted the award.
The Supplier of the Year Award went to Eurofase. In accepting the award, Tony Davidson, retiring CEO, said, “I’ve learned that if you want to be successful in business, you need to be a part of this organization. I want to thank the showrooms who support our business.”
Added Shawn Hulshof, vp/marketing for Eurofase, “We wake up every day thinking about our customers and what is important to their business.”
Dana Hunt, founder of Masterpiece Lighting in Atlanta, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his commitment to finding a way for his former Georgia Lighting employees to continue to love what they do when the showroom was acquired by Home Depot and their jobs terminated. He started Masterpiece Lighting in that spirit of helping his employees and giving the community a lighting showroom with heart and exceptional service.
Garofalo concluded the event, saying, “A cooperative is owned by its members. We salute the work of our Advisory Council. We address things a team. We analyzed what was affecting our industry, such as tariffs, and we still saw $1 million in growth. Thank you all for being here and your support. I feel good about the conversations we’ve had [at convention] as a group.”