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2014 Showstopper Awards Announced; Best New Products of the Year

Closing General Session: Rob O’Neill

ROB O’NEILL
Former Navy SEAL Team Leader  •  Tuesday, September 30 1:15 pm

Decorated military veteran and Navy Seal Rob O’Neill closed out NECA Chicago 2014 with a detailed account of various combat missions and his recipe for success in life.

O’Neill, who grew up in Montana, served for more than 16 years as a Team Leader on the Naval Special Warfare Development Group.

He spoke about a range of topics including making informed decisions and teamwork. A common theme was never quitting.

“Success is not attained or purchased,” he explained. “It is rented. And rent is due every day.”

O’Neill took pride in saying no member of his team was ever killed in more than 400 combat missions. He said they improved each day because they were trying to stay on par with each other. They also learned how to face their fears.

“Fear is healthy but panic will breed and it will get you killed,” he said.

O’Neill also told the audience not to be afraid of chasing success and to stick around successful people who have learned from failure. Finally, he said, effective communication is paramount.

Earlier in the program, NECA CEO John Grau shared his thoughts on the association’s progress and addressed problems facing the electrical contracting industry.

“Our members are more optimistic, and we’re on the right track,” Grau said.

Grau also said the a shortage of skilled workers will dominate the national discussion moving forward.

Later, outgoing President Dennis Quebe presented awards to several people connected to the industry, For a full list of recipients, visit necanet.org.

Dan Divane, chairman of ELECTRI International, gave an update on organization’s activities. He also announced that Iowa State University was the winner of the 6th Green Energy Challenge.

Opening General Session: Chris Gardner on the Pursuit of Happyness

Philanthropist and best-selling author Chris Gardner spoke powerfully about his hardships and dealings with homelessness during Sunday morning’s Opening General Session at NECA Chicago 2014.

Gardner, the subject of book and blockbuster movie “The Pursuit of Happyness,” told the audience he was the leading authority on a concept he called “spiritual genetics.” He talked about his background and his relationships with his parents and grandmother.

Gardner paid credit to his mother for telling him he could go anything in life.

“The wit, the wisdoms, the lessons she shared with me made everything else possible,” he said.

Gardner said film based on his life, in which he is portrayed by Will Smith, was about a man wanting to give his son what he never had had. “And, to me, that’s priceless,” he said, detailing his involvement in the project, which grossed more than $300 million worldwide.

Gardner, currently working on a new book, recalled meeting Nelson Mandela and Muhammad Ali and conversations with Oprah Winfrey and President Clinton.

“Find your button,” the thing that ignites a passion in your life, he urged the audience. “You can’t change something until you own it.”

Hope is great, Gardner added, but having a plan is what’s important. And a person’s ultimate asset is time.

Gardner now has a 28-year-old son and a 22-year-old daughter and a 6-year-old granddaughter. He counts himself among the biggest supporters of food banks.

“The greatest honor that you will have in your life is to have someone say, ‘I’ll be here,’” Gardner said. “If you’ve been there for me, I’ll be there for you.”

Before Gardner spoke, NECA President Dennis Quebe summarized the association’s accomplishments. It was his final address to NECA in the post saying, “NECA continues to be well-connected to what is happening around the country. It is up to the industry to wisely implement the tools at its disposal.”

Later, NECA 2014 Political Leadership Council National Chairman David Nielson gave a brief update on the activities of the PLC and the Electrical Construction Political Action Committee (ECPAC).

Finally, former President Rex Ferry, chair of the Academy of Electrical Contracting, updated the session on the academy’s progress. Sixteen new fellows also were introduced. Look out for a special blog post highlighting the new inductees shortly!

Business Development Meeting Recap

Business Development Panel Kicks off NECA 2014 Chicago!

On Saturday morning, two-panels of member contractors and industry professionals shared their insights on business development, kicking off NECA 204 Chicago.

The panels represented various sized companies from across the country.

Moderated by Skip Perley, NECA District 7 Vice President and Business Development Task Force Chairman, the first panel included: Dan Henrich, President, Total Energy Solutions (PDE Inc.), Santa Fe Springs, CA; Otto Kirchheiner, Vice President, Tri-City Electric Company Inc., Miami, FL; David Peterson, Senior Vice President of Business Development and Marketing, ERMCO Inc., Indianapolis, MN; and Elise Bourgeois, Oneida Electrical Contractors Inc., Unita, NY.

Perley said his company – and the industry as a whole – struggles to go out and develop new business. Last year, he enlisted a new staffer in that area. “It has been really fun.”

“Business development is an excellent avenue for a future leader to come in and make their mark in a company and in the industry,” Bourgeois added. She also said she can add a different perspective because she’s not from the industry.

Peterson said everyone in his office does business development. It’s generational, he said, adding “You have to position yourself well and educate your clients.”

Henrich said the industry is in a paradigm shift in the United States and that the grid is changing from centralized to decentralized. It’s important for a company to get out of its comfort zone, he added.

Henrich also said finding new business means talking to utilities and establishing new relationships by going to conferences, for example. Also, it is important to get involved with NECA and its committees.

The second panel covered how to utilize tools in business development. Panelists included Tony Frantal, Graybar; Bob Eaton, Day & Night Solar; Gerard Darville, Lutron; and Caitlin Gross, Manager of Business Development, NECA.

Frantal said one of the toughest things a company is faced with is building trust with customers but that it can be overcome.

Eaton said that devoting time to business development has helped his company become a leader in the solar space.

“At the end of the day, we’re all here to make money and grow our businesses,” Eaton said.

Gross closed the meeting by spending a few minutes on NECA’s Energy Conservation and Performance Platform (ECAP). The program removes the obstacles to the implementation of a company’s energy projects by integrating the inclusion of best practices into its project development process.

“The whole idea is to create new opportunities for NECA contractors,” Gross said.

For more information on ECAP, go to www.NECAECAP.com.

Welcome to NECA 2014 Chicago!

We are glad you made it to the Windy City for this year’s annual convention!

Be sure to download our NECA 2014 Chicago mobile app for your smart phones and tablets to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings and events.

And, don’t miss the Opening General Session, which will begin at 10:15 a.m. (Sunday) with speaker Chris Gardner, the subject of the memoir and film “The Pursuit of Happyness.” Gardner will sign copies of his book on the Show floor after he speaks.

Important Travel Information for NECA 2014 Chicago Attendees

We are aware that a fire in the FAA air traffic facility has resulted in a ground stop at both O’Hare and Midway airports and that your arrival into Chicago will likely be delayed.

Please be assured that we have been in contact with our hotels and your room will be held for you. 

We are looking forward to seeing you at NECA 2014 Chicago this weekend!

Looking for a place you can go for everything you need to know about NECA 2014 Chicago?

There’s an app for that.The official app of NECA 2014 Chicago is now available for mobile devices to download from the iTunes and Google Play stores.

The free app, sponsored by NECA Premier Partner Graybar, is a one-stop shop for information on the association’s annual convention, September 27-30 in Chicago, IL.  Features include: a list of exhibitors, complete schedule of events and the ability to sort by educational track or topic, speaker bios and a detailed NECA Show floorplan.

There is also a function for planning. Users can make lists of “My Exhibitors” and “My Itinerary” to maximize their time in the Windy City. A directory of products will direct convention goers to the right booth armed with the information they need.

Finally, attendees can stay connected via Facebook and Twitter and catch up on the latest convention buzz. Information on hotels and restaurants and a walking map of Chicago can be found on the app as well.

Download the free app today for all your NECA 2014 Chicago needs.

Search for “NECA 2014 Chicago” or “NECA” via the iTunes or Google Play app stores to download from your mobile device.

Learn more about NECA 2014 Chicago »

Download for iPhone or iPads in the Apple app store »

Download for tablet or phone via the Google Play store »

Stop by the NECA Booth #1038 for your NECA 2014 Chicago polo and wind shirt

Stop by the NECA Booth # 1038 on the show floor to check out our NECA 2014 Chicago polo and wind shirt.  We will also be selling the most up-to-date NECA publications.

NECA 2014 Chicago Apparel Hours

Sunday, September 28
11:30 am to 5:00 pm

Monday, September 29
11:30 am to 4:00 pm

Tuesday, September 30
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

2014 NECA Convention Store (Booth #1038)

• 2014 NECA Navy Polo (SM-XL)……………..$50
• 2014 NECA Navy Polo (2XL)………………….$53
• 2014 NECA Navy Polo (3XL)…………………$56
• 2014 NECA Cream Wind Shirt (SM-XL)…………$60
• 2014 NECA Cream Wind Shirt (2XL)…………….$63
• 2014 NECA Cream Wind Shirt (3XL)……………..$66

All orders and requests for custom embroidery quotes should be placed with Kara Melenez , Summit Group at 1-800-560-0088 or emailed to kara.melendez@summitmg.com.

Avoid Lines and Save an Trip to the Convention Center

Satellite Registration Areas Offer Extra Convenience for NECA 2014 Chicago Attendees

Avoid lines and save an extra trip to the convention center!

Arriving early for NECA 2014 Chicago? Here’s some great news! If you have already registered online by then, you won’t have to trek to all the way to the convention center at McCormick West and wait in long lines to pick up your badge, tickets and convention bag. We are offering satellite registration areas at two hotels where you can grab these items and be on your way. 

Temporary satellite registration will be available on Friday, September 26, and Saturday, September 27, between the hours of 7:30am and 5:00pm both days, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago (at 131 E. Wacker Drive) and Palmer House (at 17 E. Monroe Street). We have selected these two locations because they are in close proximity to other 2014 NECA Chicago Hotels. That means, every NECA 2014 Chicago registrant who arrives early can take advantage of this offer of extra convenience! 

Our satellite registration area at the Hyatt Regency Chicago will be located at Skyway 261, Blue Level, East Tower. To collect your badge, tickets and convention bag at Palmer House, go to Bay 3 & 4.

• FYI 1: Nothing beats the convenience of having immediate access to a one-stop shop for NECA 2014 Chicago information. Get the FREE NECA 2014 Chicago mobile app.
• FYI 2: Our registration area at McCormick West first opens at 7:30am Friday, September 26. For hours of operation (and details on anything related to NECA 2014 Chicago), check the full schedule.
• FYI 3: Complimentary shuttle service begins Saturday morning, September 27. Get full shuttle information. – See more at: http://www.necanet.org/news/news-release-archive/news/2014/09/07/satellite-registration-areas-offer-extra-convenience-for-neca-2014-chicago-attendees#sthash.SsnVqHLe.dpuf