Take Advantage of Unique Educational Opportunities at NECA 2015 San Francisco

Don’t wait until the convention starts – amp up your education schedule today!

The learning starts even before NECA 2015 San Francisco gets fully underway! Pre-convention sessions are offered on the Friday and Saturday before the main event.

Attending pre-convention workshops is a great way to get a chance to attend in-depth educational sessions on the most in-demand content available with the top experts in their field. You can expect engaging presentations and thought-provoking discussions as you learn how to stay connected and grow your business.

REGISTER FOR A PRE-CONVENTION WORKSHOP TODAY!

Back by Popular Demand

At this year’s NECA Now we saw that personal health—and in particular stress—is a major issue for NECA members and we’ve brought Alice D. Domar, a pioneer in the field of mind/body medicine, back for more sessions—this time on psychological and physical strategies to reduce stress.

Zack Armstrong of McCoy Electric Company, based in Portland, Oregon, praised Domar’s courses.

“Alice was very present and engaged as a speaker and presented her topic in a meaningful and understandable way,” Armstrong said. “The entire industry would be very well served to have more classes in this genre at future events.”

Armstrong, who works with McCoy Electric Company, based in Portland, Oregon, said it was the single best class he’s attended with NECA.

Added Armstrong: “The mechanics of running our businesses are very important, but the mechanics of taking care of ourselves so we can fire on all cylinders should be our first priority. Alice’s class helped point this out in a very beneficial way.”

Expect engaging presentations and thought-provoking discussions as you learn how to stay connected to the industry at NECA 2015 San Francisco!

To register for NECA 2015 San Francisco, go to http://www.necaconvention.org.

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.

Time Change: Green Energy Challenge Competition

The ELECTRI International/NECA Green Energy Challenge student competition has been rescheduled. Join us for it’s new time at 1:30pm on Sunday, September 28 in room Skyline A.

The ELECTRI International / NECA Green Energy Challenge marks a yearly highlight for NECA Student Chapters. Teams agree that the popular Challenge is stimulating because it makes them focus on problem solving by thinking in new, creative ways.

NECA Student Chapter teams demonstrate their ability to analyze particular electrical construction management “problems” outlined for them and create a comprehensive plan and budget for an appropriate retrofit.

A jury of contractors and industry partners evaluate written proposals. The top three student teams are then invited to the NECA Convention to make oral presentations of their project. The three finalist teams selected are Colorado State University, Iowa State University and San Diego State University.  The jury evaluates both the substance and the presentation.

Electrical construction companies and industry partners looking to hire the best and brightest students in the country appreciate the opportunity to assess the finalists’ work firsthand during the NECA Convention.

ELECTRI International provides financial awards to the winning school and assists with the cost of bringing the three finalist teams to the NECA Convention.

Safety Roundtable Recap

NECA 2014 Chicago provided attendees with useful information on new technologies, installation methods, tools, materials as well as safety resources. With this much information available, selecting which training session to attend can sometimes be challenging.

One session, the sixth-annual Safety Roundtable, was an excellent opportunity for contractors to have a two-way discussion on NECA’s safety-related activities, OSHA regulations, and general electrical industry safety needs. Wes Wheeler, NECA Director of Safety, moderated the 2-hour class which included reports from Palmer Hickman, ETI (NJATC) Director of Codes and Safety Standards, and Safety Task Force Chairman, George Adams.

The following is a recap of the core discussion topics:

• Status of new or revised safety & health regulations – 2015 NFPA 70E released and now supersedes all previous editions (voluntary), OSHA formally delays crane operator certification requirements for 3 more years, Silica and Confined Space proposed rules pending, Haz-Com (GHS) written program required by June 2015, T&D arc flash hazard analysis and PPE requirements for 2015.
• NECA Safety Resources – Application of Safety Meeting and PPE Selector Apps, newly revised employee safety handbooks, NFPA 70E guides – Contractor Responsibilities and 2015 Significant Changes.
• Miscellaneous – OSHA / IBEW requirements for injury reporting, value of leading indicators when using prompt near miss reporting, uniformity between NECA contractors when dealing with energized electrical work tasks, challenges when dealing with safety related disciplinary issues.

The next Safety Roundtable takes place at the upcoming NECA Safety Professionals Conference, May 18-20, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona. I encourage you, or your safety representative to attend if possible.

USA Today Reports: Chicago is the “go-to destination for meetings and events”

Industry leaders attending NECA 2014 Chicago – and those still considering it – have even more reason now.

Chicago has been tabbed as the go-to destination for meetings and events, according to a recent report in USA Today. The Midwestern city will be home to NECA’s annual convention from Sept. 27-30.

According to the report, Cvent, a technology company that connects event planners with tens of thousands of venues, looked at its booking data from July 2013 to June 2014.00 The company found that Chicago had inched up to first place compared with the previous year, overtaking Orlando, which now is second, followed by Las Vegas.

“It’s an easy city to host a meeting, and it has a culture.”

– Heather Middleton, spokeswoman for the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation

NECA 2014 Chicago attendees will be able to meet and network with peers; discover thousands of product and service solutions; explore and prepare for new markets; grow their businesses and boost productivity; and train with the experts.

Register for NECA 2014 Chicago Today! »

Read the USA Today report »

Don’t Miss Out on this Exciting Opportunity – Register for NECA 2014 Chicago Today!

Join us September 27-30, for the NECA 2014 Chicago convention & trade show at the McCormick Place West, Chicago, IL. Registration is now open!

The NECA Convention is an exciting mix of opportunities for education, inspiration, networking, and fun!

The #1 trade show of it’s kind in the electrical construction industry. NECA is proud to present the largest gathering of manufacturers and distributors showcasing thousands of solutions contractors need to save time and money on the job, and grow their business.

Several Ways to Attend:

• Full Convention »

• Add‐on Pre‐Convention Education»

• Weekend Package »

• NECA Show Only »

Register Now»

NECA 2014 Chicago Schedule Changes

The following three events have been rescheduled to accommodate the meeting and to maintain convenience for those planning to attend Saturday’s events.

The Business Development Meeting, originally scheduled for Saturday afternoon from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, has been rescheduled for 8:00 am to 9:30 am, the ELECTRI International Green Energy Challenge, originally scheduled for 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm, has been rescheduled for 9:30 am to 12:00 pm, and NECA’s inaugural Student Chapter Job Fair, originally scheduled for 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm, has been rescheduled for 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

• Business Development Meeting: 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
• Green Energy Challenge: 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• NECA Student Chapter Job Fair: 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Visit NECAConvention.org for Full Schedule of Events

Registration for NECA 2014 Chicago Opens

NECA 2014 Chicago Registration is Now Open!

Registration for NECA 2014 Chicago is now open.  The NECA 2014 Chicago  convention and trade show is headed back to the Windy City for the first time since 2008 and this year it’s bigger and better than ever.  NECA 2014 Chicago has brought back some of your favorite events and added new ones that will help your business.  You can choose one two packages to make the most of this year’s NECA convention.

NECA 2014 Chicago will be returning many popular events from the NECA 2013 Washington D.C. convention including: the Opening Reception, Lifestyle Program, Showstopper Showcase, NECA Show, and the Closing Celebration. While NECA looks to bring back popular events, they also look to add new events that will help members and their businesses. This year we’re adding a new education system where each event will be categorized by track, or related topic, to help attendees better plan their schedule. Another exciting new event will be the job fair which will bring NECA’s student chapters to NECA members.

There are two ways that you can enjoy NECA 2014 Chicago, the best way is to sign up for full registration. Full registration is your all-access pass to everything that the 2014 NECA convention has to offer.  With full registration, you’ll have access to the opening reception at the famous Field Museum, two general sessions featuring famous stockbroker Chris Gardner and former Navy SEAL Rob O’Neill, convention education, labor relations session, chapter job fair, lifestyle program featuring Second City, nineteen technical workshops, Showstopper Showcase, daily prize ticket drawings, member spouse gift, three days of NECA Show including lunch, and the Closing Celebration featuring Jim Belushi and Sacred Hearts Band. The second way you can experience NECA 2014 Chicago is to sign up for the weekend package.  The weekend package will give you access to the Opening Reception, the Business Development Session, the NECA Show, nineteen technical workshops, the Showstopper Showcase, and the daily prize drawings.

NECA 2014 Chicago will be the biggest and best NECA convention yet, so don’t wait. Registration is now open so make sure to reserve your spot at the premier event of the year for the electrical construction industry.

Register Now >>

Not Enough Time In You Schedule? Skip the Big Ticket – Join us for a Weekend Package

Introducing the NECA 2014 CHICAGO WEEKEND PACKAGE

In today’s busy world, not everyone has the ability to take time away from their work schedule to attend NECA 2014 Chicago, we’re here to help.  For those on a time crunch, or can’t dedicate an entire week to visit Chicago for the NECA Convention and Trade Show, we have a solution for you! NECA 2014 Chicago weekend packages are available, and ready for you to take advantage of.

This year’s weekend package gives attendees the opportunity to experience Saturday’s opening reception, business development, Women In NECA, opening general and labor relations special sessions, and all events taking place on Sunday.

The opening reception for NECA 2014 Chicago will be at the world famous Field Museum.  Discover millions of years of history from all over the world.  The most exciting exhibit attendees will get to see is the most complete and preserved Tyrannosaurus rex in the world.  Take pictures and get an up-close look at SUE, the T-rex, among other activities as a great way to kick off the convention.

Saturday will offer the business development session.  Formally an invitation only event, this year anyone can attend to learn of emerging technologies and growth strategies for electrical contractors.  Attendance at this session will help to grow and improve your business strategies for the future.

Sunday will be a busy day for convention attendees and the weekend package keeps you to be involved, attend any of the 19- technical workshops while walking the show floor, stop by the Showstopper Showcase to check out new and exciting products and take part in the daily prize drawing.  Most of all, you get an all-access pass to attend the NECA Show, the largest industry trade show of it’s kind, where you’ll see some of the latest products from hundreds of top manufacturers and distributors.

NECA 2014 Chicago is a five-day extravaganza for the electrical construction industry.  But for people who can’t stay for the entire event, there’s a package so that they can still attend and get involved.  The weekend package will give attendees a chance to experience many of the opportunities that the NECA 2014 Chicago has to offer.

Learn more about the Weekend Package and Full-Registration offerings >>

Registration opens May 29, save with early rates – visit necaconveniton.org for more info.