ALA Announces Ceiling Fan Training Manual + Updates at Conference  

One of the most-talked-about topics at last month’s American Lighting Association (ALA) 2025 Conference, which was held in Louisville, Kentucky, was the long-awaited debut of the Ceiling Fan Training Manual along with a Ceiling Fan Technical Update session.

As the ceiling fan category has grown in size – with more manufacturers offering ceiling fans to the industry plus an increase in smart technology and DC motors – the importance of training showroom staff as well as any contractors/electricians who will be installing ceiling fans purchased at ALA member lighting showrooms has come to the forefront.

Ceiling fans is a top category for returns at lighting showrooms with consumer claims of fans being “defective” when in fact the fans operate perfectly fine, but were not installed properly. Lighting showrooms and ceiling fan manufacturers have become frustrated with the expense of these unnecessary returns (even if a returned fan is in working order, it cannot be resold as new) and have been seeking a solution to stop these common installation errors and product waste.

For these reasons, the educational session on ceiling fans was packed with members wanting to learn more. Conference attendees were given a preview of the upcoming launch of ALA’s new Ceiling Fan Training Manual, described as “a resource to elevate technical proficiency and customer service across the industry.”

The three-day ALA Conference drew a cross section of manufacturers, retailers, designers, manufacturers’ representatives, and industry partners from the U.S. and Canada. According to a press release from the ALA, conference attendees were focused on innovation, expanding governmental advocacy efforts, and for the association to deliver measurable business value to members.

The ALA noted that post-conference surveys revealed that 92% of attendees left the conference with actionable ideas to strengthen their businesses, and 88% rated networking opportunities as “excellent” or “very good,” which it said “underscored the event’s role as a catalyst for collaboration and growth.”

In addition to the ceiling fan training manual, other conference topics included relevant analysis from two economists, a keynote by designer Tamara Day on resilience and reinvention, a trends update, and a session on how artificial intelligence (AI) can streamline companies’ operations. The ever-popular Women in Lighting (WIL) program highlighted leadership journeys from Cathy Choi, Martha Graham, Laurie Gross, and Maria Mullen, which reportedly inspired attendees to pursue new leadership or mentorship opportunities.

ALA President & CEO Jon Melchi outlined the association’s strategic priorities, emphasizing advocacy and industry relations, education and business intelligence, and connections. He was joined by Government Affairs consultant Palmer Schoening, who provided a targeted briefing on legislative and regulatory developments affecting the industry and who reinforced ALA’s commitment to ensuring members’ interests are represented in Washington, D.C., Ottawa, and state capitals.

The Lighting Connections luncheon facilitated high-value networking between manufacturers and attendees, with survey feedback ranking this activity as number one for business relationship building.

The conference closed with the induction of Troy Lee of Savoy House into the ALA Lighting Hall of Fame, honoring his decades of innovation and leadership.

The 2026 ALA Conference will be held September 27-29 at the Westin La Paloma in Tucson, Arizona, where the focus will be on expanding market reach, advancing sustainability initiatives, and leveraging technology for competitive advantage.