Member Benefits
for Agencies and Manufacturers
Why join as an Independent Lighting Agent?
Those who run Independent Lighting Agencies understand the unique complexities involved with the various projects we lead for our clients. Becoming a member of AAILA aligns you with lighting industry professionals from around the country who understand your unique challenges and opportunities. It also provides you with a direct line to a multitude of lighting and controls manufacturers ready to offer various solutions and expertise.
If you are involved in the lighting sales community, you can’t afford not to be a member of AAILA.
Annual Membership Investment:
- Agency – more than 40 employees: $1,850
- Agency – 10-40 employees: $1,350
- Less than 10 employees: $850
Membership Features:
- Training and Education – many training modules have been developed virtually for easy access
- Special Membership Events – generally held in conjunction with national lighting shows
- Industry Research and Updates – the pace of business has become increasingly fast, staying informed is a must
- Volunteer Opportunities – AAILA is a volunteer led organization, affording you and your team with various opportunities to contribute, connect, and lead
- Discounts – who doesn’t like to get a deal?
Why join as a Manufacturer?
Not only does AAILA offer business development opportunities, but membership also aligns you with other lighting industry professionals committed to strengthening their understanding of the lighting sales channel. Manufacturers members are key partners in AAILA and are invited to get involved at all levels.
Annual Membership Investment: $1,600
Membership Features:
- Education – manufacturers are invited to host educational webinars for members
- Special Membership Events – generally held in conjunction with national lighting shows
- Industry Research and Updates – leverage our network of lighting agents to get feedback for your product, service, or business
- Volunteer Opportunities – AAILA is a volunteer led organization, affording you and your team with various opportunities to contribute, connect, and lead
- Discounts – who doesn’t like to get a deal?
Webinars
Agency 101 Series
Developed in partnership with The Lighting Exchange, our Agency 101 Series. When onboarding a new employee at an agency or a manufacturer, it is critical for them to have a firm grasp of how the lighting market works, agency and manufacturer roles, and how does everyone fit in and contribute to selling lighting and controls.
Courses currently available:
- Lighting Agency Basics (Beginner Level)
– Defining the Industry: Channels / Sectors / Markets
– What is an Independent Lighting Agency?
– Relationships & Expectations of Primary Stakeholders
– Customer Overview
– Intro to Projects & Product Types - Agency Roles & Responsibilities (Beginner Level)
– Outside Sales
– Inside Sales - Manufacturer Operations (Beginner Level)
– Departments, Roles & Responsibilities
– Production Overview
– Understanding Manufacturer Terms - Organizations, Governance & Standards (Beginner Level)
– Part 1
– Part 2
Selling Light Series Webinars
Login to learn more and view webinars.
Are you a member but don’t have a login? Contact us.
Events
Held in conjunction with leading lighting industry events, AAILA Members will have access to custom programing and networking opportunities, maximizing your investment at national shows.
Thanks to everyone who joined us for our Second Annual Membership Event held just prior to LEDucation. We look forward to seeing everyone next year, Monday, March 18, 2024! Click the pictures from this year’s event here.
Surveys
Results available to members
AAILA Commissioned Industry Surveys
Independent benchmark survey of Manufacturers
- What would help manufacturers improve their business?
Independent benchmark survey of Agents
- What would help agents improve their business?
Customer and influencers surveys
- What issues can lighting manufacturers and agents solve?
Get Involved
AAILA is a nonprofit trade association who is governed by a volunteer board and volunteer committees. Volunteers are critical to the advancement of AAILA’s mission.
We are currently accepting nominations for various positions within AAILA. Interested candidates should contact Sarah Hagy to get involved.
Member Volunteer Opportunities
Board of Directors
Committees
- Education
- Events
- Survey
Member Discounts
Manufacturers' Representatives Educational Research Foundation
Manufacturers’ Representatives Educational Research Foundation (MRERF) will provide access at association rates for educational training programs. Through its certifying body, The Institute for Professional Advancement (IPA), it has been delivering certification programs and workshops to reps, distributors and manufacturers.
Agent Benefits
Certified Professional Manufacturers’ Representative (CPMR) is a 3-year program that meets in January for a week. This program provides an extensive learning experience in addition to networking with others from other industries. First year attendees learn foundational business management skills including: Business Ethics | Technology Solution Analysis | Legal Issues | Intro to Strategy | Financial Foundations | Understanding the Manufacturer | Workforce of Today | Sales Communication and Resources
Manufacturer Benefits
Manufacturers’ 2 day workshop is for sales leaders and managers to learn the tools and processes needed to create strategic partnerships with reps so that you can increase sales.
National Purchasing Partners
Members of the American Association of Independent Lighting Agents can now access business, employee, and personal discounts through National Purchasing Partners (NPP). NPP is a new member benefit provider of AAILA and helps members reduce costs with exclusive pricing.
Members can save on many useful brands, including Batteries + Bulbs, Office Depot (ODP), Sherwin-Williams, Airgas, Priceline, Staples, if eligible Verizon, and more. Sign up at https://mynpp.com/association/aaila/. Once you sign up with NPP, you will receive a verification email. When your account is verified, just log in and explore the catalog of offers. NPP membership is free and there is no obligation to buy. If you need help registering, please contact customerservice@mynpp.com or call 800.810.3909.