How do facility managers, contractors, and engineers gain a competitive edge in their projects? They stay ahead with expert insights—and that’s exactly what The Project Advantage delivers. Hosted by Neil and Cory of LED Lighting Supply, this podcast brings you straight to the source with in-depth industry discussions on energy efficiency, facility operations, and scalable business opportunities.
Each episode features industry experts sharing the latest trends, strategies, and technology shaping the future of commercial, industrial, and sports-related projects. No sales pitch - just real expertise from real professionals.
Tune in, stay informed, and gain The Project Advantage.
How do facility managers, contractors, and engineers gain a competitive edge in their projects? They stay ahead with expert insights—and that’s exactly what The Project Advantage delivers. Hosted by Neil and Cory of LED Lighting Supply, this podcast brings you straight to the source with in-depth industry discussions on energy efficiency, facility operations, and scalable business opportunities.
Each episode features industry experts sharing the latest trends, strategies, and technology shaping the future of commercial, industrial, and sports-related projects. No sales pitch - just real expertise from real professionals.
Tune in, stay informed, and gain The Project Advantage.
How should contractors think about SEO in the era of AI?
In this episode, Cory Peterson sits down with SEO and growth advisor, Kevin Indig to break down how LLM tools like ChatGPT and Claude are changing search, customer discovery, and decision-making for contractors and facility managers.
The conversation explores how showing up in Google and AI results now depends on context, content, and trust.
Topics we cover:
0:00 – Meet Kevin Indig
02:45 – Why should contractors and facility managers care about SEO?
10:14 – How do Google, ChatGPT, and Claude influence buying decisions today?
13:02 – Is SEO really worth it for local and regional contractors?
22:17 – How do AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude decide which contractors to recommend?
33:42 – Is it too late to start SEO and AI-driven search strategies?
36:31 – Should contractors hire an agency, a freelancer, or build SEO in-house?
46:39 – Can SEO experimentation actually work for growing and enterprise companies?
Links from the show:
🔗 Growth Memo Newsletter https://www.growth-memo.com
🔗 Connect with Kevin Indig on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinindig/
🎥 WATCH - The Power of AI on the Construction Industry:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wFd_RiYSps&list=PL6UXdr3IVMfTXnQm0f2jgZrrpfYDWHgCn&index=2
What does it take to transform a blank space into a premier indoor pickleball facility?
In this #podcast episode, Cory Peterson sits down with Bob Saraf of ELEVENO Pickleball to share how his team turned a former retail space at Patriot Place in Foxborough, Massachusetts, into a nine-court indoor destination.
They dive into ELEVENO’s entertainment-first vision, the community-driven approach behind the club, and the essential pickleball court lighting decisions, including black ceilings, fixture placement, glare control, lighting controls, and glow-in-the-dark play that helped light up pickleball the right way.
Bob also highlights the behind-the-scenes challenges, from tight timelines and vendor selection to meeting project timelines.
Topics we cover:
0:00 – ELEVENO Pickleball Intro
2:01 – The vision behind the entertainment-driven pickleball facility at Patriot Place
6:14 – Designing the ideal pickleball lighting layout and selecting the right fixtures
11:49 – Premium design elements: lighting, fencing, turf walls, glass entry, and aesthetics
17:31 – Programming for all skill levels and building a community-first club
22:38 – Grand opening details, hours, and what players can expect
Links from the show:
🔗 ELEVENO Pickleballhttps://www.eleveno.com/
Follow Bob Saraf: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-saraf-2a96848a/
💡 Pickleball Court Lighting by LED Lighting Supply:
https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/led-sports-lighting/led-pickleball-court-lights
📩 Request a Free Pickleball Court Lighting Plan:
https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/photometric-plan/sports-lighting-design
🔧 Learn More About Indoor LED Sports Lighting:
https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/led-sports-lighting
🔔 Subscribe for unboxings, insights, & bloopers
In this #podcast episode of The Project Advantage Podcast, Cory Peterson, VP of Marketing & Sales Ops at LED Lighting Supply, sits down with Melissa Dixon, Senior Product Manager at Trimble®, to discuss how construction companies are modernizing through technology.
Melissa and Cory explain how moving to a digitized workflow with digital platforms help contractors, distributors, and manufacturers work together more efficiently. By providing clearer visibility and real-time product specifications, the data integrity of digital procurement helps to reduce manual errors, improve communication, and help teams stay ahead with the ability spot trends quickly.
They also dive into the growing role of AI for contractors, showing how automation and real-time data make day-to-day operations faster and more accurate.
Topics we cover:
00:00 Welcome and introduction to Trimble
01:40 When it makes sense for contractors to digitize
03:59 How manual workflows increase cost and risk
05:42 How Trimble’s digital platform solves data gaps
08:05 Managing material pricing and tariff surcharges
13:18 Using digital tools to control tariffs and construction costs
20:49 The evolving role of AI for contractors
26:27 Modular tools for sustainable contractor business growth
33:44 The measurable ROI from digital transformation
36:19 Where to learn more about Trimble’s construction solutions
Links from the show:
🌐 Trimble®: https://www.trimble.com/en
🎥 WATCH - How Distributors SAVE Time & WIN More Bids With AI-Powered Software | LED Lighting Supply: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Qc71gcr2VI&list=PL6UXdr3IVMfTXnQm0f2jgZrrpfYDWHgCn&index=2
📩 Request a FREE Lighting or Fan Plan: https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/photometric-plan
🔔 Subscribe for unboxings, insights, & bloopers
Construction safety isn’t just a regulation; it’s the foundation of every successful project.
In this #podcast episode, we sit down with Mike Maloney of ABC® Massachusetts and Gould Construction Institute to explore the critical role of construction safety, training, and the current state of trades careers.
From apprenticeship programs to the latest OSHA requirements, Mike shares how today’s commercial construction contractors can protect workers, fill the labor shortage, and grow their businesses responsibly.
Topics we cover:
00:13 – Introduction: Mike Maloney
02:51 – Apprenticeship programs and worker training
10:18 – How to become an instructor and maximize worker construction safety
13:25 – Workforce shortages in construction
27:42 – Improve worker safety on job sites through proper training
37:16 – Scholarships and opportunities for commercial construction contractors and apprentices
Links from the show:
💡 Learn more about ABC® Massachusetts: https://www.abcma.org
🎓 Explore Gould Construction Institute: https://www.gwgci.org
🎧 Listen to The Build Zone Podcast: https://www.abcma.org/Membership/The-Build-Zone-Podcast
Connect with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-maloney-7294811a2/
🎥 WATCH - Explore a Career in the Trades: Skilled Trades Shortage: What Students & Instructors Need To Know | The Project Advantage Podcast
📩 Request a FREE Lighting or Fan Plan: https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/ceiling-fan-layout
🔔 Subscribe for unboxings, insights, & bloopers
Are long quoting and submittal hours draining your margins?
In this #episode of The Project Advantage, Cory Peterson, VP of Marketing & Sales Ops at LED Lighting Supply, talks with Forest Flager, CEO of Parspec, about how AI-powered software is helping distributors maximize productivity and boost profitability.
Topics we cover:
00:00 – From architecture & engineering to AI-powered product selection, quoting, and submittals
02:30 – Why quotes cost 30+ hours (and how to cut it in half)
07:15 – Product recommendations & margins that boost profitability
12:00 – Project management benefits: order status, lead times, visibility
18:20 – Tariffs: pricing pressure & sourcing “U.S.-made” alternatives
24:00 – The future of software for distributors & AI-native tools
Links from the show:
Parspec: https://www.parspec.io/
Forest Flager | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/forestflager/
💡 Browse Commercial LED Lights: https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/commercial-lighting
🎥 Watch How to Avoid Project Cost Surges: youtube.com/watch?v=Yv_N6P-x4nI&list=PL6UXdr3IVMfTXnQm0f2jgZrrpfYDWHgCn&index=5&t=111s
📩 Request a FREE Lighting or Fan Plan: https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/ceiling-fan-layout
📱 Use our FREE Done-For-You Commercial LED Savings Calculator: https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/resources/calculators/commercial-led-savings-calculator
🔔 Subscribe for unboxings, insights, & bloopers
How can contractors maximize savings and stay prepared amidst the uncertainty around tariffs?
In this #podcast episode of The Project Advantage, Cory and Neil explain questions you should be asking your supplier, how energy-efficient products still save on energy costs despite price increases, staying ahead with utility projects, and how steel and aluminum tariffs are impacting contractors.
They share practical ways customers can lower their energy costs, improve energy efficiency, and further enhance savings from available rebates.
Topics we cover:
00:00 – Fall 2025 Tariff Update
02:15 – Federal Rulings and the Ripple Effect for Contractors 05:40 – Aluminum & Steel 2025 Tariffs: The Impact on Construction Projects
09:00 – How to Stay Ahead with Utility Tariffs
13:27 – How LEDs & Fans Offset Tariff Price Increases
20:15 – Questions to Ask Your Supplier
26:45 – Looking Ahead: 2026 Tariffs
💡 Browse Commercial LED Lights: https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/commercial-lighting
🎥 Watch How to Avoid Project Cost Surges: youtube.com/watch?v=Yv_N6P-x4nI&list=PL6UXdr3IVMfTXnQm0f2jgZrrpfYDWHgCn&index=5&t=111s
📩 Request a FREE Lighting or Fan Plan: https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/
📱 Use our FREE Done-For-You Commercial LED Savings Calculator: https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/resources/calculators/commercial-led-savings-calculator
🔔 Subscribe for unboxings, insights, & bloopers!
Listen on your favorite platform:
iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/led-lighting-supply-the-project-advantage-podcast/id1813159666
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2DQy60dzWboGcdGqQdKYdH
Planning a new indoor sports facility build or an existing facility upgrade?
Pro Tip: Start with the lighting.
In this episode, Bill Taylor, Operations Manager and Head Pro at Match Point Pickleball Club, shares how they built what is soon to be the world’s largest indoor pickleball facility using a custom-tailored pickleball court light recommendation from LED Lighting Supply. Proper lighting impacts precision on the court, player safety, and spectator visibility.
To get the best ROI on your pickleball lighting system, consider these supplier selection tips from Match Point.
Topics we cover:
00:00 – Meet Bill Taylor, Introducing Match Point Pickleball Club
01:25 – Considerations for the ideal pickleball court environment
03:24 – The importance of lighting for every level of play
08:04 – Before you start, get a custom lighting plan
14:27 – Pickleball champs: Guinness World Record in Columbus, Ohio
Links from the Show:
Matchpoint Pickleball Club (Columbus, OH): https://www.matchpointpickleballclub.com/
Bill Taylor | LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-t-29442144/
💡 Pickleball Court Lighting by LED Lighting Supply:
https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/led-sports-lighting/led-pickleball-court-lights
📩 Request a Free Pickleball Court Lighting Plan:
https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/photometric-plan/sports-lighting-design
🔧 Learn More About Indoor LED Sports Lighting:
https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/led-sports-lighting
🔔 Subscribe for unboxings, insights, & bloopers!
Have a question or challenge in your facility or contracting business? Reach out to us at marketing@ledlightingsupply.com and we may feature it in a future episode. If The Project Advantage is helping you stay ahead, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
Subscribe & Review: iTunes | Spotify | Amazon
Are utilities industry contractors ready for the impact of tariffs and electric grid modernization?
In this episode, Nikki Chandler (Group Editorial Director at Endeavor Business Media) joins Neil Peterson to talk about the modernization of the U.S. electric grid, contractor challenges, and the evolving utility market.
Topics we cover:
01:15 – What does the Energy Group cover?
03:38 – The evolution of grid modernization
05:52 – Cybersecurity & grid resiliency
07:28 – Is nuclear power making a comeback?
09:30 – Tariffs: Costs, disruptions & project delays
11:39 – The future of power poles: Wood vs. composite
16:57 – Inspiring the next generation of utility workers
20:42 – Final stats from IEEE PES
Links from the Show:
Endeavor Business Media – Energy Group: https://www.endeavorbusinessmedia.com/brands/energy
T&D World: https://www.tdworld.com/
Microgrid Knowledge: https://www.microgridknowledge.com/
EnergyTech: https://www.energytech.com/
Nikki Chandler | LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-chandler-2aa5a012/
📋Request a FREE custom pole quote: https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/request-pole-pricing
📦Utility Poles: https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/utility-poles
📱 Use our FREE Pole Wind Load Calculator: https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/resources/calculators/pole-wind-load-calculator
🔔 Subscribe for unboxings, insights, & bloopers!
Have a question or challenge in your facility or contracting business? Reach out to us at marketing@ledlightingsupply.com and we may feature it in a future episode. If The Project Advantage is helping you stay ahead, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
Subscribe & Review: iTunes | Spotify | Amazon
How can we solve the skilled trades shortage before the next generation enters the workforce?
The skilled trades are facing a serious workforce shortage, but there's a path forward. In this episode, Cory Peterson sits down with Kate Cinnamo from Explore the Trades to discuss what skilled trades are, why the shortage exists, and how to prepare for a skilled trades career. Discover real solutions involving early education, career path visibility, and business-school partnerships.
Topics we cover:
00:45 – K-12 education for skilled trades
02:29 – Visual career paths that inspire
04:14 – Why skilled trades face a shortage
10:54 – Who makes the best trade instructors
13:27 – How local businesses can get involved
18:53 – Using CTE funding to solve hiring needs
24:42 – Why AI growth depends on skilled trades
Links from the Show:
Why Explore a Career in the Trades
Plumber vs. College 10-year Comparison
Trayectoria Para La Carrera De Electricista
💡 Shop UFO High Bay Lights & Linear High Bay Lights:https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/commercial-lighting/led-high-bay-lights
🎥 Watch our Top High Bay LED Lights for Facilities:https://youtu.be/ZmlbnAIdxjU?si=sZFHdHXFY2nwbMrQ
📩 Request a FREE Lighting Plan: https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/photometric-plan
📱 Use our FREE Done-For-You Commercial LED Savings Calculator:https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/resources/calculators/commercial-led-savings-calculator
🔔 Subscribe for unboxings, insights, & bloopers!
🔔 Subscribe for unboxings, insights, & bloopers!
Have a question or challenge in your facility or contracting business? Reach out to us at marketing@ledlightingsupply.com and we may feature it in a future episode. If The Project Advantage is helping you stay ahead, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
Subscribe & Review: iTunes | Spotify | Amazon
How are mercury lamp bans impacting lighting costs and product availability in 2025?
In this episode, Neil Peterson and David Shiller of LightNow explore what contractors and facility managers need to know about the latest fluorescent tube light ban and how it’s influencing the shift to LED solutions.
Topics we cover:
00:11 – What’s driving the LED market shift?
03:49 – How are tariffs delaying lighting projects?
06:17 – What do state mercury lamp bans include?
10:31 – Why are fluorescent and HID prices spiking?
14:47 – Will there be a nationwide lighting ban
Links from the Show:
💡 Shop UFO High Bay Lights & Linear High Bay Lights:https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/commercial-lighting/led-high-bay-lights
🎥 Watch our Top High Bay LED Lights for Facilities:https://youtu.be/ZmlbnAIdxjU?si=sZFHdHXFY2nwbMrQ
📩 Request a FREE Lighting Plan: https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/photometric-plan
📱 Use our FREE Done-For-You Commercial LED Savings Calculator:https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/resources/calculators/commercial-led-savings-calculator
🔔 Subscribe for unboxings, insights, & bloopers!
Have a question or challenge in your facility or contracting business? Reach out to us at marketing@ledlightingsupply.com and we may feature it in a future episode. If The Project Advantage is helping you stay ahead, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
Subscribe & Review: iTunes | Spotify | Amazon
Can your project budget handle the next round of tariffs?
In this episode, we dive into the ripple effects of international tariffs on contractors and facility managers. Cory and Neil Peterson unpack the real-time challenges these shifts pose and what you can do to avoid project delays, skyrocketing costs, or strained client relationships.
Topics we cover:
(00:13) – Why tariffs matter now for contractors and facility managers
(02:11) – Who really pays for tariffs and the impact on supply chains
(03:40) – How to avoid surprise cost increases with better supplier strategy
(07:02) – How to communicate price risks to clients
(08:44) – Tariff-proof products and the future of U.S. manufacturing
💡 Shop UFO High Bay Lights & Linear High Bay Lights:https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/commercial-lighting/led-high-bay-lights
🎥 Watch our Top High Bay LED Lights for Facilities:https://youtu.be/ZmlbnAIdxjU?si=sZFHdHXFY2nwbMrQ
📩 Request a FREE Lighting Plan: https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/photometric-plan
📱 Use our FREE Done-For-You Commercial LED Savings Calculator:https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/resources/calculators/commercial-led-savings-calculator
Have a question or challenge in your facility or contracting business? Reach out to us at marketing@ledlightingsupply.com and we may feature it in a future episode.
🔔 Subscribe for unboxings, insights, & bloopers!
Have a question or challenge in your facility or contracting business? Reach out to us at marketing@ledlightingsupply.com and we may feature it in a future episode. If The Project Advantage is helping you stay ahead, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
Subscribe & Review: iTunes | Spotify | Amazon
What if your next business breakthrough came from testing, not guessing?
In this episode of The Project Advantage, Cory Peterson sits down with Paul Randall from Speero to explore how experimentation-led growth is reshaping the way contractors and facility managers make decisions. From practical customer feedback loops to small-scale testing strategies, this episode delivers clear, actionable insights to help you adapt faster and grow smarter.
Topics we cover:
(1:58) – What experimentation-led growth really means for contractors
(5:14) – Getting useful feedback before it’s too late
(10:06) – Why trust and clarity are your website’s most powerful assets
(17:20) – How small teams can use data and intuition to improve results
(29:43) – The right (and wrong) ways to use AI in your customer experience
Links from the Show:
💡 Shop UFO High Bay Lights & Linear High Bay Lights:https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/commercial-lighting/led-high-bay-lights
🎥 Watch our Top High Bay LED Lights for Facilities:https://youtu.be/ZmlbnAIdxjU?si=sZFHdHXFY2nwbMrQ
📩 Request a FREE Lighting Plan: https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/photometric-plan
📱 Use our FREE Done-For-You Commercial LED Savings Calculator:https://www.ledlightingsupply.com/resources/calculators/commercial-led-savings-calculator
🔔 Subscribe for unboxings, insights, & bloopers!
Have a question or challenge in your facility or contracting business? Reach out to us at marketing@ledlightingsupply.com and we may feature it in a future episode. If The Project Advantage is helping you stay ahead, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
Subscribe & Review: iTunes | Spotify | Amazon
Welcome to The Project Advantage Podcast, where we bring real-world conversations to contractors, facility managers, and industry professionals who want to stay ahead.
In this short trailer, we’ll give you a glimpse of what’s coming—expert interviews, field-tested insights, and practical strategies to help your business grow smarter.
🔔 Subscribe for unboxings, insights, & bloopers!
Have a question or challenge in your facility or contracting business? Reach out to us at marketing@ledlightingsupply.com and we may feature it in a future episode. If The Project Advantage is helping you stay ahead, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review!
Subscribe & Review: iTunes | Spotify | Amazon