“I am truly honored to assume the helm of EDmarket while continuing to serve as CEO of A4LE,” Ramsey said. “Over the coming year, I look forward to working alongside our exceptional professional staff and dedicated volunteer leaders to align these two century-old organizations around a shared mission.

Ramsey added that the��next chapter��for the organizations��represents��more than a merger, but also��an opportunity to��build on��decades of excellence in school planning, design, equipping, and operations while charting a bold, unified course for the future.

“Together, our mission is clear and compelling: to create the best possible learning environments for students everywhere,” Ramsey said.

Ramsey has served as Chief Executive Officer for A4LE since 2007.����

The post A4LE CEO Assumes Leadership Role at EDmarket appeared first on ���سԹ�.

The post A4LE CEO Assumes Leadership Role at EDmarket appeared first on ���سԹ�.

By Lindsey Coulter

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. and GAITHERSBURG, Md. — The Association for Learning Environments (A4LE), headquartered in Scottsdale, and the Education Market Association (EDmarket), based in Gaithersburg, are joining forces, forming one entity that will “create a powerful new association dedicated to reimagining where and how students learn” according to a joint statement. By uniting their expertise, A4LE and EDmarket hope to “accelerate innovation and expand opportunities to design learning spaces that inspire, engage and empower every student.”

The organizations together serve a global network of planners, designers, educators, industry experts, manufacturers, dealers, and suppliers working to create high-quality, sustainable and innovative learning environments. This merger will create a single, global community committed to designing dynamic, sustainable, and student-centered learning environments that prepare the next generation for success.

“Together, we have the power to reimagine learning environments worldwide, strengthening our voice, expanding impact, and enriching the knowledge that shapes spaces where students learn,” said Darlene Akers, EDmarket Chair, in a statement. “By uniting our leaders, members, and staff, we can inspire greater success for every student.”

Following joint analysis, strategic alignment, and financial review, the boards of both organizations unanimously agreed that combining strengths will create a stronger voice for the industry and deliver greater value for members worldwide. While both organizations report strong financial health, joining forces will allow both entities to maintain stability and create new opportunities to reinvest in the programs, events and professional development.

“By uniting A4LE and EDmarket, we amplify a shared mission to create exceptional learning environments for every student-strengthening our voice, combining our resources, and expanding our impact so that educational spaces everywhere truly inspire learning and success,” added Ryan Bultena, A4LE Chair.

The merger will further allow the organizations to:

• Expand opportunities for global connections and learning.
• Lead the way in learning-environment design.
• Provide more value through integrated events, credentials, and professional growth.
• Bring together the voices of both professionals and industry partners to strengthen our impact on the K–12 community.

The two organizations will continue to operate independently through 2026, during which time membership, services and events will remain unchanged. The organizations’ upcoming flagship events — LearningSCAPES, held in Phoenix Oct. 29-Nov. 1, and EDspaces, held in Columbus, Ohio, Nov. 5-7 — will continue as planned for 2025 and 2026. Additionally, both ALEP® and ECLPS credentials remain valid and will continue to be supported, with opportunities for broader recognition and career growth.

Legal consolidation will begin Jan. 30, 2026, and integration and planning related to staff, services and governance will continue throughout the year. Full integration and a permanent governance structure are expected to be established by early 2027. This will include a unified mission, vision, and values dedicated to serving the needs of all stakeholders, advancing high-performing, sustainable and innovative learning environments everywhere.

The post A4LE and EDmarket Unite to Shape the Future of Learning Environments appeared first on ���سԹ�.

The post A4LE and EDmarket Unite to Shape the Future of Learning Environments appeared first on ���سԹ�.

By Lindsey Coulter

At a Glance: Design for Learning Co-Lab

• What It Is: A research-driven initiative by EDmarket to reimagine learning environments through evidence-based design and cross-sector collaboration.
• Purpose: To connect educators, designers, and industry leaders with the tools, research, and strategies needed to create future-ready learning spaces.
• Core Activities: Learning programs, research projects, publications, awards, and symposia that amplify evidence-based knowledge and foster professional exchange.
• Guiding Principles: Grounded in scientific integrity, innovation, curiosity, respect, and joy—focused on what works in real-world learning environments.
• Target Audience: Educators, A&D professionals, manufacturers, researchers, and change-makers committed to transforming educational spaces for today’s learners and tomorrow’s needs.

GAITHERSBURG, Md. — The Education Market Association (EDmarket) has officially launched the Design for Learning Co-Lab, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at reimagining educational spaces to better serve today’s students and future generations. The effort is led by Senior Fellow Dr. Lennie Scott-Webber, alongside Associate Fellows Jolene Levine and Dave Broz.

The Design for Learning Co-Lab aligns with EDmarket’s mission to unite education leaders, architects and designers, facilities managers, dealers, and manufacturers in building innovative, research-driven learning environments.

“The goal of the Design for Learning Collaboratory is to become a trusted, curated place to find ideas, evidence, and trends all purposefully shared to contribute toward a future-ready experience for all learners in which every learning place and learning experience is shaped by the evidence of what works,” said Scott-Webber in a statement.

Backed by government partner Sourcewell, project sponsors VS America and KI, and strategic partner Classroom Reimagined AI, the Co-Lab connects cutting-edge research with real-world applications to create transformative learning experiences. By fostering a common vocabulary and uniting stakeholders across disciplines, the Co-Lab aims to shape spaces that support physical, psychological, and emotional student needs.

The Co-Lab’s foundation rests on the last five years of research, which confirm that physical environments play a critical role in student learning outcomes. Despite this, many classrooms still feature outdated designs with rigid, row-by-column layouts and passive instruction models. The Co-Lab seeks to change that by providing tools and evidence-based strategies for educators to maximize student success through space design.

“We empower and enable educational change makers with the evidence and tools to create transformational, future-ready learning environments — today,” the organization said in a statement. “Our mission is to empower and enable educational change makers with the evidence and tools to create transformational, future-ready learning environments — today.”

The initiative will roll out a suite of programs and offerings, including learning opportunities, research projects, publications, symposia, and awards. Each is designed to amplify knowledge, foster collaboration, and engage the global education community in reshaping how and where students learn.

The Co-Lab encourages educators, innovators, and organizations to get involved. Opportunities include partnering on research and publications, volunteering for events or initiatives, and supporting programs that drive real change in educational design.

To learn more, connect with the team, or get involved, visit .

The post EDmarket Launches Design for Learning Co-Lab to Transform Educational Environments appeared first on ���سԹ�.

The post EDmarket Launches Design for Learning Co-Lab to Transform Educational Environments appeared first on ���سԹ�.

“It has been an honor to serve this remarkable community. I am proud of what we’ve achieved together and confident that EDmarket is well-positioned for continued success,” McGarry said.��

EDmarket will host a special event honoring McGarry’s contribution at EDspaces annual conference in Columbus, Ohio, Nov. 5-7. The EDmarket Board of Directors has initiated a comprehensive search for a new president and chief executive officer.��

The post Jim McGarry�� appeared first on ���سԹ�.

The post Jim McGarry�� appeared first on ���سԹ�.