For the first time ever, ALA will host the Larry Sayah Innovation Forum during the 2015 ALA Annual Conference. The forum, sponsored by the ALA Charitable Endowment Fund, celebrates the innovative ideas lighting professionals are utilizing in their businesses to advance the industry and increase the sale of lighting products.

Who are we seeking?

This is a call-to-action to all ALA members who are striving to make a difference in the industry through unique, thought-provoking and exciting innovations.

ALA is seeking lighting professionals who have not only developed and implemented new ideas in their businesses, but have seen these ideas to fruition and experienced the impact a truly innovative idea can have. ALA members with innovative ideas and experiences are encouraged to fill out either the online or downloadable application to participate in the Larry Sayah Innovation Forum.   

What You'll Receive

Applicants chosen to participate will be asked to share their ideas and successes in an 8 to 12 minute PowerPoint or other multimedia presentation during the Larry Sayah Innovation Forum at the 2015 ALA Annual Conference. For their time and efforts, the applicants chosen to present will also receive a $1,000 cash incentive. 

The presenter with the most innovative idea, as chosen by the forum attendees through the ALA Conference App, will receive $2,500, totaling  $3,500 in cash prizes for one innovative winner!

Applications are due no later than close of business on Friday, Aug. 7, 2015. 

Examples of Innovative Ideas

We have all heard of the phenomenon that is lighting and health. There are seminars, websites and publications devoted to explaining this theory, but how can lighting professionals implement these ideas into their business to impact sales?

Social media is on the tip of everyone's tongues, but what does it really mean to use social media as an effective marketing tool to drive sales?

Smart homes and fully automated lighting systems are becoming increasingly popular, but how can you take this idea, which once seemed a thing of the future, and turn it into something for which your customers are asking? What tools do you need to successfully introduce such a new technology to the masses and positively impact sales?

A happy, knowledgeable sales team is a successful sales team. Is your company doing something innovative to train or create a culture of happy, smart and successful employees?

These are just a few samples of the innovative ideas the Larry Sayah Innovation Forum seeks to cover by recognizing and celebrating the successes of ALA members.