As we move through 2026, I am excited to share another significant milestone in the journey to unite the Education Market Association (EDmarket) and the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE). What began as a bold vision to bring together two organizations with complementary missions is quickly becoming a reality, and I could not be more optimistic about the future we are building together.
The Merger Is Officially Moving Forward
I am pleased to announce that both the EDmarket Board of Directors and the A4LE Board have approved the merger agreement. Even more importantly, the merger was officially ratified last month by a vote of EDmarket’s eligible voting members, reflecting the confidence they have placed in this exciting new direction. With those approvals complete, the legal dissolution of the EDmarket corporation is planned for October 1, 2026, marking another important milestone in our transition toward a unified organization.
Between now and the end of the year, our staff and volunteer leaders will continue the work of bringing together our governance, operations, technology, programs, and member services. Our goal is to launch an interim co-branded website by January 2027, along with new communications and materials that represent our combined organization.
Building Our Leadership Together
Our governance transition is progressing just as thoughtfully as our operational integration. The Boards of Directors of both organizations are coming together to form an interim Board that will begin meeting this fall to guide the transition into our new association. This interim governance model will serve for the first several years while leaders from both organizations work together to evaluate the needs of our growing membership and develop a long-term governance structure designed for the future.
Throughout this process, we remain committed to ensuring that every stakeholder within our community has a strong voice as we shape the next chapter of our organization.
Councils Will Continue to Play an Important Role
One question I hear frequently is, “What happens to the EDmarket Councils?” The answer is simple: they remain an essential part of our future.
Our Councils have long been one of EDmarket’s greatest strengths, providing leadership, expertise, and valuable industry engagement. As we move into the combined organization, we expect the Councils to continue serving as a vital leadership component while also exploring opportunities to extend their reach into A4LE’s regional and chapter network.
By combining the strength of our national Councils with the local engagement of A4LE’s chapters and regions, we create tremendous opportunities for networking, professional development, and collaboration across the entire school environment community.
One of the most exciting aspects of this merger is the opportunity to build upon the outstanding programs EDmarket already offers.
Growing the Programs You Value
One of the most exciting aspects of this merger is the opportunity to build upon the outstanding programs EDmarket already offers. During our first year together, we will focus on enhancing existing programs while introducing them to thousands of additional professionals throughout A4LE’s extensive network.
A great example is the Bold Women Collective. We see enormous potential to expand this outstanding initiative by leveraging the combined membership of our new organization while creating opportunities for local engagement through regions and chapters. Bringing national programming closer to where members live and work will allow us to increase participation, strengthen mentorship opportunities, and create even greater impact.
As part of this growth, you can also expect to see refreshed branding and new ideas that will continue moving Bold Women — and several other EDmarket programs — forward.
A New Vision for ECLPS
Another program receiving significant attention is the Education Certified Learning Place Specialist (ECLPS) designation. Work is underway on a comprehensive redesign that will modernize the program and position it for long-term growth.
The new ECLPS initiative will feature:
- A state-of-the-art distance learning platform
- Updated educational content
- Expanded learning pathways
- Improved participant experience
- Greater opportunities for ongoing professional engagement
Just as importantly, current ECLPS designation holders will play an active role in helping shape the future of the program. Their experience and insights will be invaluable as we redesign and strengthen this important professional designation over the coming year.
For the foreseeable future, we remain fully committed to supporting EDspaces and continuing our strong partnership with the conference.
Looking Ahead to Our Industry Events
For the foreseeable future, we remain fully committed to supporting EDspaces and continuing our strong partnership with the conference. We also see exciting opportunities to increase educational offerings, expand participation, and create even greater value for attendees through closer collaboration with A4LE.
Our long-term vision remains unchanged: to create one premier conference and trade show that brings together the entire school environment industry — from educational leaders and facility planners to architects, manufacturers, dealers, designers, and solution providers. While achieving that vision will take time and thoughtful planning, we continue making steady progress toward that goal.
The Future Has Never Been Brighter
Every day I become more excited about what lies ahead.
By bringing together two outstanding organizations with rich histories, dedicated volunteers, exceptional staff, and complementary strengths, we are creating something larger than either organization could accomplish independently.
Together, we are building an association that will be the leading voice for the entire school environment industry — one that connects education and industry professionals, delivers exceptional professional development, advances innovation, and helps create better learning environments for students around the world.
It is truly an honor to serve as President & CEO during this transformational time. I am incredibly grateful for the confidence of our Boards, the dedication of our volunteer leaders, and, especially, the remarkable staff members from both organizations whose passion and commitment continue to move this vision forward every day.
Together, we are building the future of the school environment community. I look forward to continuing this journey with all of you. The best is yet to come.