NECA Blog

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Apr 29

Chicago’s Must-See Sights: Part 3

On April 25, we started a series of Chicago’s must-see sights to highlight a few of our favorite attractions and historical landmarks. Chicago is home to many significant historical sites that have created the rich traditions among the city and its people. Attending NECA 2014 Chicago gives attendees the opportunity to see some of the places that make Chicago a city a place to remember.

What Chicago skyscraper housed the headquarters of world-wide retailer Sears Roebuck and Company ?

photo credit: wikipedia

Today’s feature is all about the Willis Tower.

In 1969 worlds largest retailer, Sears Roebuck and Company, wanting a more centralized location for their whopping 350,000+  employees, hired Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill to design and build what would become the largest and most recognizable office building in the world, the Sears Tower.

Construction of the iconic skyscraper began in 1970, ending 3 years later when the final beam was put in place in 1973. Signed by the 2,000 construction workers and thousands of Sears employees and Chicagoans, 12,000 people autographed the final beam completing the then tallest building in the world. Clocking in at a massive 108-stories or 1,451-feet, construction of the Sears Tower used enough concrete to build an eight-lane, five-mile long highway. In 1988 Sears Roebuck and Company sold its corporate headquarters and in 2009, global insurance broker Willis Group Holdings bought the then Sears Tower renaming it: the Willis Tower.

theskydeck.comphoto credit: theskydeck.comStepping out on the ledge, In 2009 Willis invested in a multi-million dollar renovation to the Chicago Sky Deck, adding a new innovative feature called The Ledge to the building. Featuring a series of glass bay windows nested 103 stories high, the Ledge is a popular spot among tourists looking to capture daring selfies and a must-see attraction for 2014 NECA Chicago attendees.

Apr 25

Chicago’s Must-See Sights: Part 2

On April 25, we started a series of Chicago’s must-see sights to highlight a few of our favorite attractions and historical landmarks. Chicago is home to many significant historical sites that have created the rich traditions among the city and its people. Attending NECA 2014 Chicago will give you the opportunity to see some of the places that make this unique city a place to remember.

Next up in our Chi-Town cityclusive series of must-see sights, the Chicago Theater.

credit: wikipediaOpening on October 26,1921 national landmark, the Chicago Theater is one of the city’s most popular historical sites, and most recognized. Nicknamed “the Wonder Theater of the World” when it opened, the French Baroque style theater flaunts many decorative features based on popular historical landmarks. The entire building is a work of art featuring a miniature replica of the Paris’ Arc de Triomphe, the lobby that’s modeled after Royal Chapel at Versailles and the grand staircase that leads you to balconies for on-lookers modeled after the Paris Opera House. But, perhaps the most recognized and famous aspect of this building is it’s six-story high sign that spells out “C-H-I-C-A-G-O” over State Street.

ChicagoTheaterInsideBuilt by theater owners Barney and Abe Balaban and Sam and Morris Katz in 1921, it quickly became the flagship of the Balaban and Katz theater chain. Seven stories high and seating 3,600 visitors, when it opened the theater featured big-time entertainment acts from Duke Ellington to Benny Goodman, and in 1933 was featured in Chicago’s World Fair.

May years after it’s heyday, in 1986 the Chicago Theatre Restoration Association realized the theater brought irreplaceable historical significance and culture to the city and with the help of the city of Chicago decided to purchase and save the theater and after a multi-million dollar renovation the theater reopened on September 10, 1986, allowing future generations to enjoy this Chicago landmark.

Missed the first Must-See Sights Special on Wrigley Field? Check it out now >

Apr 21

Chicago’s Must-See Sights: Part 1

Chicago is home to several major attractions that hold significant historical importance to the city and its people. Attending NECA 2014 Chicago will give you the opportunity to see some of the places that make up this unique, foodie friendly city.

The next few blog posts highlight a few of these local gems. Get the most out of your NECA 2014 Chicago experience and add these local hot spots to your travel plans!

First up – Wrigley Field.

wrigleyfield1Baseball is America’s favorite pastime and Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs and highest-ranked building in Chicago, is a national treasure. Recently celebrating it’s 100th anniversary, Wrigley Field is the last Federal League ballpark standing and was built in 1914 by Charles Weeghman, the park’s original namesake and owner the home-standing Chi-Feds of the Federal League.

In 2007 the American Institute of Architects ranked Wrigley #31 in the America’s Favorite Architecture top 150 buildings — ahead of such iconic buildings as Carnegie Hall and the National Gallery of Art. In fact, Wrigley was the only still-standing sports venue listed among the top 100.

Famous for its ivy-covered brick outfield, hand operated scoreboard, and iconic red marquee which sits over the entrance of the stadium, Wrigley has been creating a sense of home and comfort in the community for over 100 years, reminding park-visitors and fans of a time long-past and a true sense of the “American experience.”

Image Credit: Sports Illustrated

 

 

 

Want to learn more about the Wrigley experience?

Wrigley was recently featured in Sports Illustrated’s special Sentinel Issue, view article online here >

 

 

Apr 10

New and Noteworthy for 2014

The 2014 NECA Convention & Trade Show is taking over the Windy City this year, and there’s a lot to look forward to. Chicago has long been the industrial hub of the Midwest making it the perfect place for the nations #1 ranked electrical construction trade show, and the only place you’ll find exclusive education opportunities designed to help you stay ahead of the curve in today’s market.

Don’t miss your opportunity to experience one of the most exciting events our industry has to offer, in a city known for it’s big-time skyscrapers and world restaurants, you’ll find big-time education, networking and entertainment opportunities here at NECA 2014 Chicago. If you’re an electrical contractor, trade professional, or work within the electrical construction industry, this is your must-attend event of the year.

This year’s convention is taking place at the world famous convention center, McCormick Place West. Additionally, the opening reception will be held in one of the most iconic buildings in the city, the Field Museum of Natural History and the closing celebration will be held the world famous House of Blues.

What’s New:

We have several exciting additions to note for NECA 2014 Chicago. Headlining the entertainment for our final evening will be Chicago’s very own Jim Beluchi and the Sacred Hearts Band. Held at the House of Blues, this year’s closing celebration is designed to help you celebrate. All full registrants attending the closing celebration will receive drink tickets and a food voucher for the event (a cash bar will also be available.)

We’re also happy to announce that the 2014 NECA Show will extend it’s hours on Tuesday, September 30, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, and will now be followed by our Closing General Session at 1:15 pm. This allows time for everyone to attend the the grand prize drawing, announced during the NECA Show. Be sure to join us before the closing general session, as we award $10,000 to one lucky attendee – it could be you!

Big changes in education this year include a new track system, allowing attendees to sort daily sessions by track (or, related topic) creating an easy-to-use customizable schedule, designed to fit unique needs. Select from one or multiple track types, including business management, estimating, standards and safety, or line construction. Each of the 8 new track types added for NECA 2014 Chicago cater to individual industry needs, and help attendees stay focused with topic based industry updates, training and important information that matters to them most. View NECA 2014 Chicago Tracks >

But, we know you’re not just interested in your current business affairs, and are looking to prepare for the future of your company as well. That’s why, NECA is bringing together the best and brightest young minds for the first-ever Job Fair. Secure the future of your company by hiring the best candidates around, meet with members of NECA’s student chapters, and meet with the future leaders of our industry. Learn more about the NECA 2014 Chicago Job Fair >

Be sure to take advantage of full registration when planning out your NECA 2014 experience, by doing so, you’ll receive an all-access pass to hundreds of educational opportunities, 4 general sessions plus a unique lifestyle session, can’t-miss opening and closing receptions, trade show passes and much more.  Only a limited number of a la carte tickets for these events will be available for purchase on-site and they will be distributed first-come, first-serve based on availability.