Higher Learning

Michelangelo once said, “I am still learning.” Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Skill to do comes of doing.” Leonardo da Vinci wrote in his famous notebooks, “Poor is the pupil who does not surpass his master.” And the Native Americans have a saying: “Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me, and I’ll understand.”

All of these quotes are about the importance of education, honing skills, learning new ones and continuing to grow. These ideas apply not only to life in general, but, more specifically, to the kitchen and bath industry, where knowledge of new skills, trends, products, ideas and ways to manage business and boost bottom lines is essential to staying competitive.

Indeed, in addition to logging online, reading trade and consumer publications and scanning articles relating to the kitchen and bath industry, savvy kitchen and bath designers know that attending seminars, symposiums, conferences, networking events and trade shows is the way to stay ahead of the curve. They know that continuing their kitchen and bath education will not only expand their minds, but also expand their bottom lines.

While designers and dealers may think that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but by regularly attending industry-specific seminars, they can learn a new design application, technique or trend, discover a new product application, find out ways to better manage kitchen and bath firms and projects, and become certified.

There are many avenues of education available to kitchen and bath designers, as well as other allied professionals. Most commonly, they can be found via industry associations such as the National Kitchen & Bath Association, the National Association of Home Builders and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry – all of which also offer certifications such as CKD, CBD, CKBR, CR, CGR and CAPS.

Other industry organizations, such as the SEN Design Group, the Bath & Kitchen Buying Group and the Decorative Plumbing & Hardware Association also offer educational opportunities, though some may be limited to their members.
On the next six pages Kitchen & Bath Design News offers a sampling of educational programs available from some of the industry’s major associations and organizations. For details, contact each one directly, or contact local chapters about seminars and other educational events closer to home. Each industry association or other types of industry organization can also be found online at KBDN’s Website, www.KitchenBathDesign.com. Simply log onto the home page and click on Industry Associations for a list of links.

American Lighting Association
P. O. Box 420288
2050 Stemmons Fwy., Ste. 10046
Dallas, TX 75342
Tel: 214-698-9898
Web: www.americanlightingassoc.com
Scope of Educational Program: ALA strives to provide the most up to date technical information via online training, regional seminars, market seminars, manufacturer-approved courses and video training.
Program’s Target Audience: ALA provides technical lighting training to members of the association, managers, sales associates, designers and manufacturers’ representatives.
Major Topics Covered: All topics are about technical lighting, including Advanced Architectural Lighting; Advanced Dimming Controls; Advanced Kitchen and Bath Sales and Design; Advanced Residential Lighting Sales and Design; Kitchen and Bath Lighting Design; Residential Lighting Design; and Energy-Efficient Lighting Design and Current Technologies.
Professional Certifications: ALA offers three levels of certification: Lighting Associate for beginners, Lighting Specialist for all members for a core lighting training program and the more advanced Certified Lighting Consultant program (CLC).
Continuing Education Credits (CEUs): Yes
Upcoming Seminars: Lighting the Bath: Adding Elegance to the Bath; Lighting the Kitchen: The Home’s Central Gathering Spot; Energy-Wise Lighting: Lighting for a Beautiful and Functional Home; Selling Decorative Lighting in the Showroom: Pendants; Selling Decorative Lighting in the Showroom: Surface-Mounted Fixtures; Lighting Fundamentals for the Showroom Salesperson. ALA usually offers 12 per year, and all are given regionally in locations throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Taught By: Daniel L. Blitzer, IES, LC; Norman R. Brown, CLC; Stanley D. Johnston, CLC; Joseph A. Rey-Barreau, AIA, IES, CSI; Robert G. Davis
Online Seminars: Yes, online seminars are offered 24 hours a day.