The market for smart lighting and controls is growing faster than ever. Learn how to step into this crowded arena and take advantage of this billion-dollar market opportunity. Tim Vislay, Director of Sales for Lighting Showrooms at Legrand, joins Raelle and Liz, providing tips for how to bring these products to your showroom and what we can expect to see as smart lighting and controls continue to evolve.  
 
Show notes
Tim began his lighting career in 1986, when he took a job with Lamps Plus as a sales associate. He ultimately became a store manager, managing several locations within Lamps Plus. In 1999 he moved to the Expo Design Center and spent 5 years as the Lighting manager as well as several other management positions in the store.
In 2004 he joined the Minka Group, first as a product manager, then became the sales manager for Minka Lavery in the Eastern Region.
After leaving Minka, Tim worked as a Western Region sales manager with WAC, and then the Director of Sales for Maxim Lighting.
After working as a sales manager for Minka Lavery, then WAC, then sales director for Maxim, in 2013 Tim was approached by Legrand to develop the Western Region in the showroom channel of distribution. In 2018 Tim became the Director of Sales responsible for the US and Canadian markets.
Terry McGowan, ALA’s resident engineer, says “ There are so many control offerings and options today.  It’s a wild market so that both consumers, as well as retailers, designers, reps and distributors are confused.  What should they be reading, for example?  [Note:  I follow Craig DiLouie who writes for the Lighting Controls Association. “
 
Visit ALAMembers.com for more information about the American Lighting Association and membership.
ALALighting.com has lighting tips and inspiration, and a listing of ALA-member showrooms.
Contest for folks who read the show notes: Be one of the first three respondents to tell us when the cat meows in this episode, and we’ll send you a t-shirt when we get some printed.  Enter at Podcast@ALALighting.com.
Raelle Bell – Host
Liz Ware – Host
Association Briefings - Producer