How Many Times Can You Say NCCMP? 2013 NECA Industry Partner Winner

The 2013 winner of NECA’s Industry Partner award has a slightly unwieldy abbreviation, but it suits the National Coordinating Coalition of Multiemployer Plans (NCCMP). Since 1974, NCCMP has tackled the unwieldy and complex task of explaining multiemployer benefit plans to Congress. Since then, NCCMP has achieved unparalleled results for more than 40 multiemployer organizations, including NECA. NCCMP was recognized for its work supporting NECA at the Board of Governors meeting.

NCCMP made a tremendous contribution to the industry and association this year with publication of “Solutions Not Bailouts: A Comprehensive Plan from Business and Labor to Safeguard Multiemployer Retirement Security, Protect Taxpayers and Spur Economic Growth.” The report authored by NCCMP Executive Director Randy DeFrehn and Deputy Executive Director for Research and Education Josh Shapiro highlights the need for dramatic, permanent reform of multiemployer pension plans. It outlines a series of reforms to ensure that multiemployer pension plans are able to continue to provide cost-effective and reliable retirement benefits to millions of working class Americans while protecting taxpayers.

“NCCMP still has a lot of work to do, when it comes to making sure Congress and regulators understand multiemployer plans,” DeFrehn said , when he accepted the Industry Partner Award. “We have the Affordable Care Act that is affecting Coalition members, and ERISA needs to update its rules. We have great partner Coalitions like NECA, and we look forward to doing more good work together.”

Report from the 2013 Board of Governors Meeting

The NECA Board of Governors held its annual meeting Saturday, Oct. 12 at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C. The Governors reviewed several items of association business, including committee and officer reports, standing policies, ordinary proposals and bylaws amendments. Voting results were all bylaws amendments and ordinary proposals were approved. Complete information about the items voted on by the Board of Governors can be found on NECA’s website.

• Bylaw Amendment #1: Proposed to amend Sections 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7 regarding Terms of Office.
• Bylaw Amendment #2: Proposed to amend Sections 8.2, 9.2, 9.3, 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.6 and 10.7 regarding office of President Elect
• Ordinary Proposal #1: Distance learning programs and opportunities
• Ordinary Proposal #2: Proposed changes to the Rules of the Academy of Electrical Contracting
• Ordinary Proposal #3: Proposed changes to the Labor Relations policy to include gender-neutral language

IBEW International President Ed Hill was invited to speak to the Governors. “We are at our best when we are working together, and we know bad times can strain even the best relationships,” Hill said. “But we’ve worked out many issues on the national level. Surely we can be capable of that on local level, too.”

NECA President Dennis Quebe reiterated the need for cooperation to assure the industry’s future. “We’ve seen what uncertainty can do to the economy. We want to promote an environment where growth is encouraged and supported. We won’t agree on everything, but we won’t let our positions harden to a point where compromise is impossible. Leaders communicate, and NECA is the industry leader.”

Video Recap – Saturday at NECA 2013

Welcome to NECA 2013 Washington DC!

The rainy weather hasn’t dampened spirits so far at the Board of Governors meeting, Energy Forum and pre-convention workshops – and especially last night’s Opening Reception at the National Building Museum!

I’m Beth Margulies, NECA’s communications director, and I’ll be live-blogging all the great programs and events at NECA 2013 DC. My personal favorite so far has been the Green Energy Challenge student design competitions – the three finalists teams from Iowa State, Penn State and the University of Washington gave outstanding presentations yesterday an intimidating “Board of Directors” made up of NECA contractors and industry experts. Those jurors will evaluate the presentations and the winning team will be announced Sunday at the NECA Student Chapter Summit.

Student teams were charged with creating a bid package for lighting retrofits, EV charging station installations and a renewable power source for a parking facility in their campus communities – everything from the types of lighting controls to financing options.  Pretty impressive stuff, and each student team thanked their sponsoring NECA chapter and local contractors for helping them create their comprehensive presentations.

Stay tuned to find out who won this year’s Green Energy Challenge, plus recaps from the general sessions and photos and videos direct from NECA 2013 DC! Leave a comment if you have any questions or thoughts about what you see and experience.

Proud Penn State Green Energy Challenge finalists + their green garage retrofit

National Building Museum, Here We Come!

The majestic Corinthian columns in the National Building Museum’s Great Hall. Photo by Hoachlander Davis

The National Building Museum, America’s leading cultural institution devoted to the history and impact of the built environment, will host the NECA 2013 Washington DC Opening Reception.

“The National Building Museum is the perfect location for NECA,” said Beth Ellis, Executive Director, Convention/Expo. “The entire museum focuses on the best in the building industry, and that is definitely what NECA members do.”

The landmark red brick building was built by U.S. Army Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs between 1882 and 1887. It formerly housed the U.S. Pension Bureau. Despite its bureaucratic beginnings, the interior of the building is dominated by a grand central space, the Great Hall. It’s in this expansive space that NECA will kick off its 2013 Convention and Trade Show in style.

The Great Hall and its soaring Corinthian columns are the perfect setting for the bands and dance floors that always make the NECA Opening Reception a party for all ages. Special musical guest Millennium will rock the museum throughout the night, along with the Pete Fields Jazz Trio in the Greenlee Whiskey & Cigar Club and the Tequila Town Duo in the Southwire Sponsor Club. If you think could try out for American Idol like Millennium’s Travis Tucker did, feel free to take the stage at the Karaoke Lounge.

Guests will be able to browse exhibits featuring innovative and historic construction when they need a break from dancing. Other entertainers will perform along the museum perimeter, including Mike the Magician and Alain Nu, Mentalist. A special event photo booth will let you and your friends record your favorite moments of the night.  “Plus, a Great Hall needs great food and drink, so we’ll have catering stations throughout the venue,” Ellis added.

“The National Building Museum has hosted some of the greatest and grandest parties in Washington’s history, and NECA is incredibly lucky to have secured this beautiful space,” Ellis said. “The museum has focused on great construction and progress since it was created. Just like NECA, the museum has embraced technology and become a world-class entertaining space.” She adds, “Just wait until our members see the lighting we can use at the museum!”

Check out the history of the National Building Museum and current exhibits online at www.nbm.org.

Here’s The App for NECA 2013 DC!

NECA used our first-ever meeting mobile app for the NECA 2012 Las Vegas, and we’re proud that it’s now a regular meeting feature.  Sponsored by Graybar, the app includes the full convention schedule and listing of speakers, plus an interactive map of the NECA Show floor, access to #NECA13 social media posts and a customizable on-site planner. You can get the app three ways:

• For iPhone & iPad • iTunes Store: Search for “NECA 2013” or download now >>
• For Android Visit Google Play Store: Search for “NECA 2013” or download now >>
• For web-based access • chirpe.com/NECA2013

Once you’ve downloaded the NECA13DC app, you’ll need to sync or update the app periodically to get complete information about education sessions and last-minute changes. Sessions are listed two ways: under the Schedule icon by date, or you can search for specific sessions by Track.

So don’t worry if you don’t see a session you know should be there. Simply sync the app, and all the information will be added!

Hotel Shuttle Service Schedule

Washington, D.C. is known as a walkable city, but it can be a relief to take the shuttle to your hotel after a long day on the NECA Show floor or cutting a rug at the Opening Reception.  You can download a PDF of the full shuttle schedule and map for NECA 2013 DC , and quick summary of service is below.

Complimentary shuttle service is provided between the Washington Convention Center and the official hotels (except Renaissance Washington D.C. Hotel and the Embassy Suites Convention Center, which are considered walking hotels). The walking hotels will have service to the Opening Reception.

Saturday, October 12 – OPENING RECEPTION
7–10 p.m.
Service to/from all Hotels to the Museum of Natural History

Sunday, October 13
7-10:30 am                        Every 10-15 minutes
10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.      Every 30 minutes
2:30-5:30 p.m.                 Every 10-15 minutes

Monday, October 14
7-10:30 am                         Every 10-15 minutes
10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.       Every 30 minutes
2:30-4:30 p.m.                  Every 10-15 minutes

Tuesday, October 15
7-10:30 am                         Every 10-15 minutes
10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.       Every 30 minutes

CLOSING CELEBRATION
7-8:30 p.m.
Service to Washington Convention Center.
9–10:15 p.m.
Return service from the Washington Convention Center

Schedule may vary due to traffic and weather conditions. Last bus leaves from hotels 30 minutes prior to end time with no return service.

NECA’s Not Shutting Down — Neither is DC!

from washington.org

Even though Washington, D.C. is experiencing a partial government shutdown, many of the city’s most popular attractions, such as the International Spy Museum and Newseum, are still for business, as is Metro rail and bus service to get around town.

Visitors can still tour famous D.C. monuments by Segway and bike, or enjoy the Moonlight Monument Tour by trolley. Artistic alternatives to the National Gallery of Art  include the Phillips Collection and the Corcoran Gallery of Art.

Many area attractions, tours and restaurants are also offering deals and discounts throughout the government shutdown, including yoga studios and gyms. There’s no cover for the Dueling Pianos show at Bobby McKey’s at the National Harbor either.

Everything you need to know about what attractions, public transportation and venues that are happily open for visitors and locals is available on washington.org!

Read more >>

NECA 2013 Washington DC: All Systems Go!

Despite the partial shutdown of the federal government, NECA 2013 DC remains on track to be one of the largest programs we have ever hosted. All events are on track to proceed as scheduled, including the Opening Reception at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Should the shutdown prevent the museum from opening on Oct. 12, never fear! We have a plan to make sure NECA 2013 DC kicks off in the great style you expect from the Opening Reception.

NECA’s government affairs team posted the following information about the shutdown this morning, if you want to read further about the impact it will have nationwide.

Communication Breakdown: The Federal Government Shutdown

by Marco Giamberardino, NECA Executive Director, Government Affairs

At midnight on October 1, the Federal government effectively shut down for the first time since 1996 because of a protracted battle over attempts to defund or delay implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the new healthcare reform law signed by President Obama in 2010. The White House Office of Management and Budget sent a memo to federal agencies informing them to “execute plans for an orderly shutdown due to the absence of appropriations.”

House Republicans pushed on three different series of votes to defund, delay or amend the ACA as part of a continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the government through December 15, 2013. Senate Democrats have in turn voted multiple times to strip those provisions and pass a “clean CR.” During the early hours of the morning, the House passed a resolution appointing members for a proposed conference committee to hash out differences with the Senate. Until an agreement is reached, the federal government will remain closed for business.

 NECA called on Congress to make every possible effort to avoid a federal shutdown in order to prevent disruption for NECA contractors nationwide who would not be able to submit bids for federal construction projects or receive payments for contracts performed for the federal government, jeopardizing the finances of many small businesses nationwide. NECA also provided guidance to its members in this memo on what NECA contractors should do to plan for a shutdown.

 As for the average American, more than 40 percent of federal workers across the nation will now be furloughed starting immediately.  Social Security recipients will in fact receive benefits, mail service will continue and taxes will still be collected. But the impact will be great, and it will spread far beyond Washington. Federal buildings scattered across the nation will be closed, and in Washington, DC other federally funded attractions, including the Smithsonian museums, the National Zoo, and Civil War battlefields are now closed for business.

The federal government has shut down 17 times since 1976, according to an NBC tally. The last time was for 21 days in late 1995 and early 1996, when House Speaker Newt Gingrich and President Clinton clashed over spending. That shutdown left deep political scars, gave President Clinton’s approval ratings a significant boost, and left Republicans shouldering much of the blame. Time will tell what the effects of this shutdown and its impact it will have on the 2014 Congressional elections.

NECA will continue to report on these developments.

Announcing David Gregory as Closing General Session Speaker!

David Gregory, moderator of NBC’s Meet the Press, will be the keynote speaker for NECA’s Closing General Session. Gregory will replace Bob Schieffer, who has been called away on assignment.

Regarded as one of the toughest interviewers working in Washington, D.C., Gregory rarely makes public appearances outside of his broadcasts on NBC’s Nightly News with Brian Williams, Today, and Meet the Press. He was NBC’s chief White House correspondent during George W. Bush’s presidency, leading former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer to say, “No one was a tougher, more aggressive questioner in the briefing room than David Gregory. But when it came time to go on the air, he was always nothing but fair.”

Gregory’s ability to get the real story while staying connected the people behind the news makes him an excellent choice as NECA’s closing general session speaker. At the Closing General Session, he will speak candidly about covering the most powerful office in the world, and talk openly about the role of the popular media, its reputation, and its responsibilities as a form of mass communication.

In his role as moderator of Meet the Press, Gregory helms the longest-running television series in American broadcasting history. Meet the Press is consistently the highest-rated of the Sunday morning talk shows frequented by elected officials and policymakers. Gregory’s interviews go beyond the standing talking points into a robust discussion of actions, possibilities and consequences.

Through terror attacks, two wars, presidential campaigns, policy debates, Supreme Court nominations, and a historic leak investigation, Gregory has earned a reputation for being one of the toughest interrogators of President Bush and press secretaries Scott McClellan and Tony Snow. His reputation has earned him the nickname the “firebrand in the front row,” as well as the distinction of being one of Washington’s 50 best and most influential journalists by Washingtonian magazine.

In the fall of 2005, Gregory became a frequent substitute for Matt Lauer on Today. He has anchored the weekend editions of Nightly News and Today. As a political commentator, he can often be seen and heard on the Chris Matthews Show and Hardball. You won’t want to miss David Gregory as NECA’s Closing General Session speaker!