Judges Announced for Showroom of the Year Awards

Entries for this year’s edition of the much-anticipated Showroom of the Year (SOTY) Awards will be judged by three retail experts.

Dallas Market Center (DMC) has announced the distinguished panel of judges for the 17^th  Annual Showroom of the Year Awards, which will be presented next month during Lightovation, June 24–27. The Showroom of the Year Awards honor outstanding lighting retailers across the industry.

Entries and nominations for these awards were accepted between December 2025 and March 2026. Finalists for the Showroom of the Year Awards are evaluated on several criteria, including merchandising display, marketing and advertising, customer service and engagement, employee education and motivation, and community involvement.

Finalists are recognized in three categories based on dollar volume, with one Showroom of the Year winner in each category. All finalists are also eligible for three specialty awards: Outstanding Merchandising Display, Exceptional Community Involvement, and Showroom of the Future, which recognizes a retailer’s use of technology, data, and digital media platforms to further its business.

Meet the 2026 Showroom of the Year Judges

Kelly Inglis – Lighting Consultant & Educator

With more than 20 years of experience, Kelly Inglis is a trusted lighting consultant specializing in residential and commercial projects. Based on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, she represents leading manufacturers and is known for blending technical expertise with a strong creative approach. Since 2018, she has been a national speaker for the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), presenting across North America and participating in the Voices from the Industry series at KBIS. As an NKBA CEU-accredited instructor, she is passionate about helping interior designers confidently integrate effective lighting into their work. A dedicated traveler, she continues to draw inspiration from global design perspectives.

Kenneth Ludwig – Kenneth Ludwig Chicago

Kenneth Ludwig is the founder of Kenneth Ludwig Chicago, a premier destination for high-end home furnishings and interior design. Known for blending classic elegance with contemporary refinement, he has built a reputation as a leading tastemaker in the Midwest. His work emphasizes quality craftsmanship, curated luxury, and timeless style, with a focus on balancing comfort and sophistication. His interiors feature a mix of traditional forms, modern silhouettes, and globally inspired elements. Through his showroom, he offers designers and clients access to a carefully curated selection of furniture, lighting, textiles, and décor from artisans around the world.

John Mark Sharpe – John Mark Enterprises

John Mark Sharpe grew up spending weekends and summers at his grandmother’s home in Sardis, Mississippi, where his love for color, texture, and pattern first took shape. Inspired by her ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, his early experiences laid the foundation for what would become John Mark Enterprises. Today, he works with brides to bring their floral visions to life, helps clients transform their homes into seasonal showpieces, and partners with businesses through his ribbon line. He also connects directly with customers through his retail store, John Mark’s, in Germantown, Tennessee. His work reflects a deep appreciation for creativity, tradition, and personal connection.

Winners will be announced during the summer edition of Lightovation at a special Showroom of the Year Awards ceremony on Thursday, June 25 at 6 p.m. The on-site event is open to all Lightovation attendees, exhibitors, and sales representatives with no tickets or pre-registration required.

If you haven’t done so already, all Lightovation attendees and exhibitors are encouraged to book their hotel rooms for the June edition of Lightovation as soon as possible to secure availability and preferred rates within Dallas Market Center’s official hotel blocks, especially with World Cup games taking place in the region. Hotel rooms for June can be explored and reserved here.

Additional information about the largest residential lighting show in North America is available on the Lightovation page of the Dallas Market Center website. Keep up with the latest developments by following the #Lightovation hashtag on social media.

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