September 28, 2024
5 Things to Know: September 28
Lighting people converge upon Kansas City. Plus, Signify continues to expand its sports marketing portfolio.
Here's a roundup of some of the week's happenings curated to help lighting people stay informed.
1. Mercer Zimmerman Light+ Delights Midwest Lighting People
Above: Guests mingle amidst lighting exhibitor booths at Mercer Zimmerman Light+ on September 26
Mercer Zimmerman, one of the largest lighting agents in the Midwest U.S., hosted its Light+ event on Thursday afternoon and evening in downtown Kansas City, drawing an estimated 250 attendees to the Lightwell venue in the Kansas City Power & Light District. The event featured well-attended educational seminars and panel discussions with civic leaders who shared insights into the local construction market.
The event showcased over 30 top brands in commercial and architectural lighting, including Cooper Lighting Solutions, multiple Legrand lighting brands, and local Missouri favorite H.E. Williams, as well as many other prominent names in the commercial and architectural lighting sector.
A highlight of the event was a cigar rolling station, where attendees could watch cigars being rolled on-site and take home a cigar or two as a memorable keepsake.
Above (L to R): Al Uszynski, Inside Lighting; Trevor Kramer, newly appointed President of Mercer Zimmerman; Shon Yust, CEO of Mercer Zimmerman
Most attendees were from the Kansas City metro area, but many also traveled from other parts of Mercer Zimmerman’s reach in Iowa and Nebraska. Designers from firms like HDR and distributor personnel from companies such as Van Meter engaged with exhibitors and networked with other attendees. The evening concluded with live music, refreshments, and networking, allowing lighting professionals to connect, learn, and enjoy camaraderie in an inviting atmosphere.
2 . Three-Day Canada Light Expo Cites 31 Exhibitors
The inaugural Canada Light Expo 2024 is just over six weeks away, set to take place November 13-15 at the International Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, within the Greater Toronto Area. Organized by MEX International of India, the event aims to be a significant gathering for Canada’s lighting industry.
Although the expo features a couple of Toronto-area lighting representative principals, including speakers from Salex and VxV Solutions, many of the participating manufacturers and exhibitors are brands not typically found on traditional commercial and industrial lighting agent line cards. Currently, the event lists just 31 exhibitors, with more expected to be added as the date approaches.
CURRENT EXHIBITOR LIST:
The speaker lineup, branded as "Canada Light Talks," includes several familiar faces active in the lighting speaking circuit. Notable speakers include Leora Radetsky from the DesignLights Consortium (DLC), Mark Lien of IES fame, and Robert Soler of BIOS Lighting.
Running concurrently with the Canada Light Expo is The Smart Living Expo, which aims to showcase a wide range of technologies and solutions designed to enhance home and office environments. This event will feature smart appliances, security solutions, and energy-efficient HVAC systems, among other advanced products. The exhibitor and speaker lineup for the Smart Living Expo is yet to be announced.
3. Signify Expands Its Sports Marketing Portfolio
After inking a recent partnership with the Mercedes F1 racing team, Signify now scores big in cricket.
— Inside Lighting (@InsLighting) September 28, 2024
They've onboarded Indian cricket legend Rahul Dravid as their brand ambassador for the next 2 years.
https://t.co/veJgV1WHbg #Signify #RahulDravid #LightingTheWay
Global lighting leader, Signify has announced its new partnership with former Indian cricketer and World Cup-winning coach Rahul Dravid as its brand ambassador for the next two years.
Above: Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 drivers George Russell (L) and Lewis Hamilton (R) pose with Al Uszynski of Inside Lighting at this week's Street & Area Lighting Conference in Atlanta.
Al’s attempts to engage the F1 drivers in conversation fell flat.
Sumit Joshi, CEO and Managing Director of Signify, Greater India, expressed excitement about Dravid joining the brand, citing how his qualities mirror Signify's principles of perseverance, quality, and innovation. The collaboration aims to bring engaging campaigns, enhancing Signify's reach and brand presence in India.
In July, Signify announced its new marketing partnership with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1 Team, marking another significant marketing investment and engagement with global sports figures.
4. Lighting Distributor in a Jam
The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit against Florida-based Jam Lighting Distributors, Inc., its President Carl Sandberg, and the company’s 401(k) plan, alleging violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). According to the complaint filed in the Southern District of Florida, the defendants failed to manage the 401(k) plan since 2018, resulting in an abandonment of the plan. Key allegations include failing to provide necessary data to the plan's third-party administrator, American National, which led to its termination of services, and neglecting to file required reports, make distributions to participants, and ensure payment of plan expenses.
The lawsuit claims that these actions breached fiduciary duties under ERISA, leaving over $209,000 in plan assets inaccessible to participants. The Department of Labor seeks to remove Sandberg and Jam Lighting Distributors as fiduciaries, appoint an independent trustee, and ensure that all expenses associated with this appointment are charged to the defendants.
Jam Lighting Distributors has 21 days to file a response to the Department of Labor complaint after being served.
5. Electrical News Ends Publication Amidst 2024 Trade Media Changes
The flurry of 2024 changes to lighting and electrical trade media continues as Electrical News has announced the end of its decades-long publication. The magazine, a familiar presence in the counter areas of electrical distributors and available in an online version, has decided to cease operations, expressing gratitude to its readers and advertisers over the years. CEO and Publisher Paula Karr, who carried on the publication her father founded in the 1980s, recently shared a heartfelt message on social media announcing the closure.
Karr's post conveyed mixed emotions, reflecting on the magazine's long journey. The Electrical News family extended their heartfelt appreciation, stating that although saying goodbye is hard, they will cherish the memories and experiences shared with their community throughout the years.
