Coronet LED Party at LEDucation 2025: Tariffs, Strategy, and Strong Inventory
During LEDucation, I attended a few parties on Tuesday. One standout was the Coronet LED party at Faces and Names, just around the corner from the Hilton. Coronet had rented out the entire bar and it was packed. At Faces and Names, I recognized many names and faces, and there were quite a few lighting designers in attendance. I also saw several reps and even a few of his competitors.
Russell Osu, Design Director and CEO of Coronet, took a moment to chat with your humble editor about both the party and the ongoing tariff situation. I mentioned attending a holiday event at Coronet’s studio back in 2021 and asked why he chose a different location this time. He explained that the studio was simply too far from the Hilton. Convenience was key, and he wanted to make it as easy as possible for his clients to attend. This year’s venue was just a four-minute walk from the hotel.
Coronet Has No Raise Increase Plans
While he didn’t allow photos at the party, he permitted me to quote him. “Given the tariffs that have been announced, we do not plan on a price increase anytime soon,” Russell said.
When I asked about the future, he said the earliest possible increase would be in late fall, but he really did not expect to have any price increase this year. He explained that Coronet learned a lot during the COVID-19 supply chain disruptions, which they handled quite well. Since then, they’ve worked even harder to maintain a strong inventory.
That inventory, paired with Coronet’s U.S.-based manufacturing, helps them protect their customers. Russell told me he can’t predict what the president will do. But he’s proud that Coronet is in a strong position to shield its customers from the current tariff impact.