ProSource to Open Lighting Tech Center, Expands Healthcare Coverage

ProSource will launch its Lighting Tech Learning Center at the Dallas Market Center in January.

By Alan Wolf, YSN

Pressing its advantage in the growing and profitable $44 billion lighting category, BrandSource tech affiliate ProSource will open a Lighting Technology and Learning Center this January in Dallas.

Initially conceived as a hands-on Level 2 curriculum to the buying group’s industry-first lighting technology certification program, the space — located at the Dallas Market Center, home to the Lightovation trade show — will also serve to showcase lighting applications for retailers and design-build customers within an immersive setting.

The lighting center was designed by lighting authority David Warfel, an exclusive ProSource advisor, and business partner Mark Langston, both of Light Can Help You, a lighting design firm. The space will feature multiple residential rooms showcasing smart-home systems and devices for ProSource members and their lighting certification trainees. It will also be used to shoot educational demos for ProSource University and will be available to members and vendors for hosting influencer and customer events.

Related: ProSource University Suspends ‘Tuition’ For One Year

“On behalf of ProSource, we are eager to create a state-of-the-art center at the Dallas Market Center to illustrate a comprehensive connected-home system plan, with lighting as the centerpiece,” Langston said.

In other ProSource news, the group has expanded its industry-exclusive healthcare coverage to members in 49 states. A one-of-a-kind program for the custom integration channel, the one-year-old initiative offers premium medical coverage at an average 25 percent discount compared to market-equivalent plans, ProSource said.

“This is a great opportunity for our members to offer great healthcare coverage with tremendous cost savings to retain and recruit employees in our very competitive employment environment,” said Tim Bashford, ProSource Senior Director of Sales. “Now, a small business can offer healthcare plans that are on par with large corporations.”

Taking a page from ProSource, BrandSource launched its own affordable healthcare option at the March Summit — the Group & Affiliate Insurance Network, or GAIN — which provides a savings of as much as 40 percent below industry rates.

See: BrandSource Offers a Remedy for Rising Healthcare Costs

ProSource, a member-governed cooperative, is the country’s largest consumer tech and integration buying group with more than 550 members and more than $6 billion in annual sales.

BrandSource, a unit of YSN publisher AVB Inc., is a nationwide buying group for independent appliance, mattress, furniture and CE dealers.

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