ALA Women in Lighting event to feature comedian, prizes, networking, more

DALLAS- The American Lighting Association’s Women in Lighting Committee will host an event during next week’s ALA Virtual Symposium, and which will include a speaker, prizes and a special fundraising initiative.

The ALA pivoted to the virtual symposium after canceling its in-person conference in September, due to wildfires. The virtual symposium, Nov. 1-4, is free to all ALA members.

Held during the symposium, the ALA Women in Lighting event will kick off on Nov. 1 at 4:45 p.m. CDT (5:45 p.m. EST), with a 30-minute presentation by professional speaker, comedian and author Christina Irene. The session, sponsored by Dallas Market Center, will cover Irene’s “SuperPowerment” approach of eliminating the internal barriers that often keep women from pursuing what they really want, a release said. As a woman working in a male-dominated industry, Irene understands and is a proud advocate for women as well as people with disabilities, it added. Her presentation will offer entertaining stories, humor and unique tips on thriving and achieving against the odds.

After Irene’s presentation, participants will have the opportunity to network – with other attendees as well as Irene – in smaller breakout groups. After the full group reconvenes, there will be a random prize drawing for donated products including: an Allegri Crystal Vasari 5-light chandelier in a two-tone silver cast frame with Swarovski Spectra crystals (27” high, 23” deep), a Bulbrite 14-foot 10-socket decorative string light kit, a Hubbardton Forge Folio table lamp with ribbons of hand-forged steel in a bronze finish (25.1” high), a Progress Lighting Manvel 60-inch three-blade indoor/outdoor ceiling fan and a Varaluz Stopwatch 30-inch round mirror in a choice of black or gold. Participants must be present to win.

Additionally, the ALA Women in Lighting Committee has launched its fundraising initiative for the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) in the name of Karen Krieger, the vice president of BC Sales, who recently passed away. Her husband Brad, president of BC Sales, serves on the ALA Manufacturing Representative Steering Committee, and Karen’s cousin, Martha Graham of Martha Graham & Associates, is an involved ALA Women in Lighting Committee member.

Women in Lighting has created limited-edition collectible pins to have commemorated the 2021 ALA Conference with the intent to establish an annual fundraising initiative for a worthy cause around each Conference. This year’s pins are sponsored by Visual Comfort & Co. making it possible to donate 100 percent of the $20 purchase price to support OCRA in Krieger’s memory. Anyone may purchase a pin and/or make a donation via the online ALA Member Store, which can be accessed through Women in Lighting’s page here. The association and Women in Lighting Committee are grateful for the opportunity to honor Krieger and her family.