Dallas Market Center and the American Lighting Assn. (ALA) announced plans this week to open The SMART Center, a new 6,000-square-foot education and activity center, at the June 20-23 edition of Lightovation in Dallas.
The SMART Center, powered by Dallas Market Center and ALA, will be located in Trade Mart 4826 and include a seminar suite, lounge space and reception area that will be open to all registered attendees, exhibitors and guests throughout the show. The SMART Center replaces, expands and upgrades ALA’s previous seminar location in the World Trade Center.
The SMART Center, named as an acronym for where Showrooms, Manufacturers And Reps Thrive, will serve as a central hub for show and association information, networking, education and inspiration for all segments of lighting, uniting the mission of Dallas Market Center and the ALA to connect business leaders with the latest industry intelligence and one another in order to create better business.
“To offer our customers a dedicated suite featuring unmatched comfort, customer service, inspiration and knowledge is a key benefit for everyone attending the show,” said Cindy Morris, President and CEO of Dallas Market Center. “To work together with the American Lighting Association makes it all the more special. There’s no doubt that The SMART Center will only enhance our reputation as the leader of lighting innovation, style and hospitality.”
“We are thrilled to partner with Dallas Market Center and to help create a dynamic center of activity and understanding within the lighting marketplace,” said Eric Jacobson, ALA President. “This is a vision fulfilled with great attention to detail and responsive to the specific, modern needs of our industry’s leaders. We look forward to inaugurating The SMART Center with a superb series of events.”
As the entire lighting industry gathers for Lightovation, all are welcome to attend the Grand Opening celebration for The SMART Center at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 20, with a ribbon-cutting and toast, which will be followed by eight Certified Lighting Consultant (CLC®) accredited educational opportunities during the course of market, including two top-notch keynotes.
A morning keynote at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 20, will feature popular and memorable past ALA Conference speaker Jon Schallert, presenting “The New Rules of Business Success: Capturing Today’s Consumer as a Destination Business.” This session will provide practical, affordable and actionable tools to help lighting retailers optimize customer traffic, impact and loyalty.
That afternoon, a keynote at 3 p.m. will feature Leslie Carothers, the home furnishings industry’s leading social media expert, presenting “Social Media Tools Proven to Drive Store Traffic.” This session will cover results-driven methods for using digital assets and platforms to increase foot traffic, website engagement and mobile search.
Wednesday’s programming in The SMART Center will also include a Lunch & Learn session at noon with Peter Romaniello on the subject of connected lighting. The Lighting Showroom Coalition Facebook group will host a meetup in the space at 11 a.m. for its current members and retailers who may be curious about joining.
On Thursday, June 21, The SMART Center will host a full day of National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA)-accredited educational sessions in partnership with the NKBA and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS). These four sessions are as follows:
- 9 a.m.: “Advanced Lighting for Kitchens & Baths,” Karyn Judd Reilly, CKD, NCIDQ, designer and educator, Lights My Soul
- 11 a.m.: “Rewriting the Rules on Kitchen Lighting,” Doug Walter, owner, Doug Walter Architects
- 2 p.m.: “Designing Lighting Aesthetics for the Kitchen and Bathroom,” Patricia Davis Brown, CKBD, owner, Patricia Davis Brown Design, LLC
- 4 p.m.: “How to Elevate Your Designs With Thoughtful Lighting,” Tammy Mackay, AKBD, interior designer, Design Eye
Thursday hospitality in The SMART Center will include a Beers With Peers event at 5 p.m. for ALA’s Young Executives and ART’s Under 40 groups.
The formal programming in The SMART Center for June Lightovation will conclude with an 11 a.m. session on Friday, June 22 featuring ALA’s Director of Engineering, Terry McGowan. This session will introduce the new ALA/IES Residential Lighting Standard for Interior and Exterior Residential Environments.
For the first time, all educational programming will be complimentary, underwritten by DMC, ALA and Lightovation exhibitors to commemorate the opening of The SMART Center. Space is limited, so pre-registration is encouraged and will soon be open on ALA’s newly launched member-focused website, www.ALAMembers.com.
Even outside of the seminar and event schedule, Lightovation participants are welcomed and encouraged to use The SMART Center to relax, network and collect helpful information, including planning and booking for the Sept. 24-26 ALA Conference in Asheville, NC, and the Jan. 16-20, 2019, edition of Lightovation.
State-of-the-art technology within the The SMART Center will include interactive screens to search products, events and promotions, as well as convenient charging stations and boosted WiFi. A MirMir Photo Booth will also be on site in the space on Wednesday and Thursday to allow attendees to document their visit to Lightovation with social media-friendly digital and printed photos.
