Jim Johnson, Billy Hodges, and Jeff Bristol discuss the formation of the NEMRA Lighting Division and its impact on the industry
In this interview, three key stakeholders involved in the merger of the American Association of Independent Lighting Agents (AAILA) into the National Electrical Manufacturers Representatives Association (NEMRA) discuss the impact of this milestone and the future of lighting representation:
- Jim Johnson, President and CEO of NEMRA
- Billy Hodges, Co-Founder of AAILA and Vice President of Specifications & Marketing with Illuminations Inc.
- Jeff Bristol, Vice President of the NEMRA Lighting Division
Their perspectives shed light on the strategic goals behind the merger, including the integration of AAILA’s resources into NEMRA’s network and the establishment of the NEMRA Lighting Division. Together, these efforts aim to create a more unified and efficient platform for lighting representation, benefiting manufacturers, agencies, and the industry at large.
Hear it straight from the leaders of the NEMRA Lighting Division:
How does the absorption of AAILA into NEMRA align with NEMRA’s greater goals? (0:37)
Was being absorbed by NEMRA one of the original goals of AAILA? (1:29)
Can small, local lighting agencies still thrive, or do they need to scale up to compete with larger agencies? (2:41)
What efficiencies will this integration bring to manufacturers? (5:40)
What is the vision for the NEMRA Lighting Division over the next five years? (8:10)
BONUS QUESTION: What involvement should we expect to see from NEMRA at future lighting industry events? (10:39)
