Laura Van Zeyl to Join Dallas Market Center as Vice President, Lighting
Industry veteran to lead strategy, leasing, and marketing for global lighting marketplace
DALLAS – June 20, 2016 – Dallas Market Center, home to the largest residential lighting marketplace in North America, today announced that industry veteran Laura Van Zeyl will join the company as Vice President of Lighting Technology Development and Marketing, effective July 30.
Van Zeyl will be responsible for leasing, marketing, and overall strategy for the lighting marketplace of manufacturer showrooms located in the Trade Mart building as well as the twice annual Lightovation: Dallas International Lighting Show. The position reports to Eva Walsh, EVP leasing and marketing.
Lightovation is the largest residential lighting trade event in North America and features the latest new styles and innovations from hundreds of major fixture and portable lighting companies. Each year thousands of buyers visit the nearly one million square foot Dallas marketplace. In addition to serving the retail buying community, new efforts are underway to serve the increasing number of interior designers who visit Dallas Market Center each month as well as to add technology exhibitors for smart lighting and the intelligent home.
As the synergies between lighting and technology continue to evolve and create an explosive new market for both smart lighting and home automation, the opportunity to expand into showcasing additional resources for the connected home is a natural business evolution for Dallas Market Center. This year the “smart home” market for devices and services is valued at over $9 billion, with expectations of growth of more than 21% annually through 2020 according to Statista.com.
“Laura brings to this position a unique combination of relationships, ideas and experience to support a dynamic marketplace with tremendous momentum,” Cindy Morris, president and CEO of Dallas Market Center, said. “As we continue to innovate and to build new opportunities we are fortunate to have her as part of the team. Creating year-round business opportunities and showcasing new technologies will help advance our mission of maximizing buying and selling by the world’s best manufacturers, sales representatives and retailers.”
“This new role continues my commitment to the lighting industry, which has been the cornerstone of my entire career,” Laura Van Zeyl said. “A vibrant marketplace is critical to the success of the industry, and I look forward to spearheading the ongoing advancement of Lightovation and Dallas Market Center as new opportunities continue to take shape.”
Laura was previously publisher/editorial director of Residential Lighting and Home Fashion Forecast magazines, and she has been covering the lighting and home furnishings industries since 1993. In 2011, she served as a judge for Lighting for Tomorrow, the industry competition for innovative and energy efficient lighting organized by the American Lighting Association, the Consortium for Energy Efficiency, and UL. In 2014, she was named one of “100 Women of Inspiration” by Today’s Chicago Woman magazine.
Currently, Laura serves on the Board and as Membership Chair for ART – The Creative Home Furnishings Network. She also serves on the Advisory Board for The H Foundation, a charity founded by Horton’s Home Lighting in LaGrange, IL. Each year, The H Foundation produces the Goombay Bash, which has raised almost $6.5 million for basic science cancer research over 15 years.
Nicole Bowling has been named Editor-in-Chief of Residential Lighting and Home Fashion Forecast magazines, effective July 1.
SOURCE: Dallas Market Center