This year’s American Lighting Assn. (ALA) Conference, set for Sept. 10-12 at the Hyatt Regency in scenic Vancouver, BC, is sure to bring great networking, learning and fun. Read on for details about registration, program highlights and things to do around the city.
General Info
Registration
Register at www.alaconference.com. Registration fee increases on June 28. Contact Elizabeth Ware at eware@americanlightingassoc.com with questions.
Registration includes:
• All educational seminars
• Sunday Welcome Reception
• Monday breakfast, lunch and exhibit viewing
• Tuesday breakfast, networking lunch and closing dinner
Guest/spouse registration includes all conference events except educational sessions.
Hotel
Hyatt Regency
655 Burrard St.
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 2R7
Hotel: 604.683.1234
Reservations: 888.591.1234
www.vancouver.regency.hyatt.com
ALA members receive a special group rate of $209 CAD per night for the first 1,260 rooms booked. The rate increases to $229 after those rooms are sold. Reserve your room through the link at www.alaconference.com or call 1.888.421.1442.
Travel
Attendees should fly into Vancouver International (YVR), which is 20 to 30 minutes from the hotel. Most attendees arrive on Sunday in time for the evening welcome reception and fly home on Wednesday. ALA members are eligible for a discount off Delta Airlines flights to Vancouver from Sept. 6-16. Visit www.delta.com/meeting, select “Book A Trip” and enter ALA meeting code NMQ7Q to make a reservation.
Attire
This is a no-tie conference. Social events are chic urban casual and daytime meetings and seminars are business casual.
Notable Events
Pre-Conference Golf Tournament
Sunday, Sept. 10 | 10:15 a.m.
Head to the scenic Furry Creek Golf Club for this year’s tournament. Participants can expect prizes, drink tickets, boxed lunch and breathtaking views. The tournament fee of $160 benefits the ALA Education Foundation. Reserve rental clubs by calling 888.922.9462 or 604.896.2224. Clubs cost $52 CAD plus tax. Buses to the golf course depart at 8 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. Pairing requests can be emailed to Elizabeth Ware at eware@americanlightingassoc.com.
Welcome Reception
Sunday, Sept. 10 | 7-9:30 p.m.
Kick off the conference in style on the 34th floor of the Hyatt Regency. Food and refreshments will be served. Sponsored by CSA Group.
Opening Breakfast/General Session
Monday, Sept. 11 | 8-9:45 a.m.
Keynote Presentation: “Accelerating Business Growth through Remarkable Experiences” by Ryan Estis, Chief Experience Officer of Ryan Estis & Assoc. Sponsored by Westinghouse Lighting.
Internet Retailing Panel
Monday, Sept. 11 | 10-11:45 a.m.
ALA members will share their experiences with developing online sales systems. You’ll learn about basic concepts and opportunities for lighting showrooms and participate in a Q&A on the advantages and pitfalls of online sales.
Business Lunch
Monday, Sept. 11 | 12-2 p.m.
The 2017 Pillar of the Industry Award winners will be announced along with the location of the 2018 conference. You’ll also enjoy a panel discussion from industry leaders on “The Future of Lighting in a Connected World.”
Young Executives Reception
Monday, Sept. 11 | 5:30-7 p.m.
Members and guests under the age of 40 are welcome to participate in a networking event with beverages followed by a bar crawl to local craft breweries. Sponsored by Hinkley Lighting.
Breakfast/General Session
Tuesday, Sept. 12 | 8-9:45 a.m.
The 2017 Lighting for Tomorrow Awards will honor LED and OLED products. Featured presentations include “LED Lighting Opportunities Abound” by Jon Sayah (sponsored by Generation Brands), and “What’s Up (and Coming) with Social Media?” from Crystal Vilkaitis.
Closing Dinner
Tuesday, Sept. 12 | 6:30-10 p.m.
Join the fun at this Bollywood Closing Dinner. Show off your dance moves after dinner as you say goodbye to another incredible conference. Sponsored by UL.
Conference Speakers
Eric S. Borden LS, CPC
Industry Consultant and Coach, Pathfinder Coaching and Guidance
Borden is a vocal proponent of recruiting, training and retaining new members in the lighting and electrical industries. He serves as chair of ALA’s Education Committee.
His talk: Leadership Development: Why Mentors Matter | Monday, Sept. 11
Jeffrey R. Dross
Corporate Director, Education and Industry Trends, Kichler Lighting
Chiefly concerned with engineering for 25 years, Dross has worked in many facets of the residential lighting business. He lectures to professional organizations and writes articles about lighting for trade and consumer publications.
On his talk: “I hope to help people understand how LEDs have reignited talk of the color of light, how to deal with flicker, a brief review of the complexity of LED dimming, and we’ll even dip into the murky waters of lighting ‘connectivity.’”
Ryan Estis
Chief Experience Officer, Ryan Estis & Assoc.
Estis understands the challenges business leaders and top performers face. He travels the world to get an inside look into successful companies and shares that insight with leaders to help them initiate change.
On his talk: “Attendees can look forward to a high-energy keynote with specific ideas to help them navigate change, create breakthroughs and drive growth into their business.”
Derreck Kayongo
CEO, National Center for Civil and Human Rights and Founder, Global Soap Project
As founder of the Global Soap Project, Kayongo led the effort to recycle and redistribute partially used and discarded soap to disadvantaged populations. He works to elevate the visibility and vision of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.
His talk: Harnessing the Power of Observation to Make a Lasting Difference | Monday, Sept. 11
Scott Lindberg
Director of Sales & Marketing, Quell Corp.
Lindberg is a sales and marketing consultant for the electronics distribution supply chain and manufacturers’ reps. He has extensive experience as a manufacturer and is a visiting professor at the University of Texas at Austin.
On his talk: “The goal of any rep firm or manufacturer is to drive revenue and grow their profits. The course on ‘Line Profitability Analysis – Taking Action’ is designed to share many methods to evaluate your product lines and find out where you are making money and potential changes needed to reallocate your time.”
Terry McGowan, FIES, LC
Director of Engineering and Technology, American Lighting Assn.
With more than 45 years of experience in the technical aspects of the lighting industry, McGowan serves as a key contact for the industry and the media on various technical and regulatory matters impacting lighting.
On his Vancouver to-do list: “I’m hoping to take part in the ALA bike tour along with my wife and at the top of my list is a visit to Vancouver Island to see the Butchart Gardens. They’ve been on my ‘bucket list’ for years.”
Mark Okun, LS
Principal, Mark Okun Consulting and Performance Group
Okun has 35 years of experience in the lighting and home furnishings industries including independent consultative selling to small retail and multi-location retailers.
On what he looks forward to most at the conference: “Different from market goals, conference is a place to listen to new ideas, share information with peers from around the country and discover the person behind the people that are in our industry in a relaxed environment.”
Peter Romaniello, LC
Owner, Conceptual Lighting, LLC
Romaniello founded Conceptual Lighting in 1998 and has designed lighting systems for close to 2,000 residences. He has served as Regional Vice President and Board of Directors member of the Illuminating Engineering Society and has taught many seminars.
On what he looks forward to most at Conference: “I’m looking forward to ‘integrating’ with the ALA members attending the conference. I think it is important for there to be a stronger connection between professional lighting designers (like members of IALD) and the ALA.”
Jon Sayah
President, Fleco Industries
In 2015, Sayah opened Lights Fantastic Pro, one of the first showrooms focused on LED lighting. He currently serves as president of Fleco Industries and manages Texas Fluorescents and Lights Fantastic.
On his talk: “Changes in lighting technology are disrupting our industry and providing more opportunities than ever — hear about the opportunities and how we can take advantage.”
Crystal Vilkaitis
Owner, Crystal Media
As the go-to source for social media marketing in the retail industry, Vilkaitis has spoken to thousands of retailers about making the most of their social presence, email and mobile marketing tactics.
On what she looks forward to most at the Conference: “I’m most excited to share what’s currently working and what to expect in the future. I’m in an ever-changing industry and it’s hard for businesses to stay on top of everything.”
Local Attractions
A free evening is built into the conference schedule on Monday, Sept. 11. Here are some spots to explore.
Grouse Mountain:
Go just 15 minutes outside the city to see some wildlife or take Skyride, the largest aerial tramway system in North America. End your night at The Observatory, a five-star restaurant with great views. www.grousemountain.com
Granville Island:
Located downtown, Granville Island is an artistic community full of waterfront restaurants, shops, cafes and galleries. Visit the Public Market for fresh eats, arts and crafts and specialty items. www.granvilleisland.com
Vancouver Lookout:
Get a stunning 360-degree view of the city from an observation deck 168 meters above sea level. www.vancouverlookout.com
Vancouver Art Gallery:
Established in 1931, the Vancouver Art Gallery has more than 11,000 works of art ranging from 19th century landscapes to current photography. www.vanartgallery.bc.ca
