Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe another year has passed, and we’re already anticipating all the great things that 2024 will bring.
We wrapped up 2023 with a cookie party at the office, followed by the annual TLA holiday party.
For the TLA holiday party, we convened at Culinary Dropout in Denver. It’s one of the few times a year that our whole team gets together along with partners and spouses. The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was lively—so good that many folks even stayed past closing time!
Now, with a New Year ahead of us, we asked our team to share their thoughts and aspirations for 2024 (which are sure to put a smile on your face.)
What are you looking forward to in 2024?
From work goals…
“Growing my relationship with my clients and my knowledge about lighting.”
– Lanier Bolmer, Spec Sales
“In 2024, I’m looking forward to renovating our new office! Creating a design-centered space in Colorado Springs where we can exhibit many of the creative lighting techniques that can transform any space.”
– Michael Smoot, Manager
And time well spent…
“We have a special group of people working here at TLA and I’m looking forward to working with them more. I’m looking forward to Light Club as well since we have a new venue at the Denver Aquarium. I think this will be a great spot and should be a great place for our clients and manufacturers to visit and see some of the great products TLA has to offer.”
– Ryan Stewart, Principal
“I’m putting peace and calm into the universe for 2024 in both my personal and professional spheres. Work and life will always be busy, of course, but I’d welcome a year where the energy was both vibrant and peaceful if that is even a thing that can exist.”
– Dawn Webber, Director of Marketing & Events
To special moments…
“Finally getting married to my fiancée.”
– Carl Canfield, Outside Sales, Controls
“Going back to the west side of Scotland, to the Isles, and sipping on some extraordinary Isle Scotches!”
– Chris Davis, Sales
… And the little things that make life great!
“I am looking most forward to moving into my new build home and filling it with amazing lighting.”
– Heather Juarrero, ILS
“The Netflix adaptation of Avatar the Last Airbender as a live-action series.”
– Brooks Powers, Controls PM
“Losing some weight and gaining some new friends. Or vice Versa.”
– Jason Solis, Distributor Sales
But, it would not be right to move forward without reflecting on some of our favorite moments from last year. Here are some of the things our team members had to say about 2023.
From fresh starts…
“Starting new at TLA in May and I couldn’t be happier with my choice to join this company.”
– Lanier Bolmer, Spec Sales
“How about joining the TLA team this year! I’d say that’s pretty stellar!”
– Brooks Powers, Controls PM
“This year TLAS got to move into our new building. Everyone at TLAS pitched in, making the move go smoothly. And we all love the location of our new office.”
– Michael Smoot, Manager
And team building…
“Tearing down the first Light Club in the pouring rain! Teamwork makes the dream work.”
– Carl Canfield, Outside Sales, Controls
“I’m supposed to say Light Club, but Casa Bonita was really fun. The anticipation of the “will we or won’t we get to go” was palpable for months and to be able to visit the refreshed landmark as a team before it was officially open to the general public was really fun and certainly memorable, especially for those of us who had been before the renovations. It’s definitely worth going if you haven’t had a chance to go yet!”
– Dawn Webber, Director of Marketing & Events
“Being able to visit Casa Bonita will be a special memory from my time with TLA for years to come.”
– Heather Juarrero, ILS
“We did a team building exercise at a smash room that was a lot of fun!”
– Daniel McCann, CSR
“Spending time with everyone at Casa Bonita. Everyone shared their early memories of visiting Casa Bonita, which was funny. We have so many Colorado natives that work at TLA so it was great to hear their stories growing up here and visiting Casa Bonita.”
– Ryan Stewart, Principal
“Reliving childhood memories with colleagues at Casa Bonita!”
– Ken Hook, Lighting Controls Specialist
To memorable moments…
“I got to camp up in Wyoming with a wonderful client and manufacturer. Spending that time by a fire sharing stories was amazing.”
– Chris Davis, Sales
“The nitro cold brew incident. It started with Will trying to get a cold brew, the cold brew not dispensing properly, and me thinking I could help. It ended with cold brew EVERYWHERE, lots of laughs, and a MAJOR kitchen deep clean (thanks, Luisa). A bad day to wear a white outfit on my part…”
– Sydney Cleveland, Customer Service
“Team collaboration on CSM PKll project!”
– Jeff Kellner, Spec Sales
And the glue that keeps us all together:
“Monday Morning Meetings.” – Jason Solis, Distributor Sales
May this new year be filled with happiness, humor, and success—both in our professional and personal lives! We can’t wait to experience it with you. Cheers!