NECA Blog

All The Latest News from NECA

Aug 29

Already a Winner With Lower Room Rates for NECA 2012 Las Vegas!

Guess what? Registration for NECA 2012 Las Vegas is so good, you’re getting a perk before you even arrive – a new, lower room rate for the Mandalay Bay Hotel! The new registration rates will be $109/night for Sept. 25, 26 and 27; $189/night for Sept. 28, 29 and 30; and $139/night for Oct. 1, 2 and 3.

The new rates will be applied to new and previous housing reservations for the hotel. So what are you waiting for? Register today for the industry’s favorite (and affordable) annual event! >>

Aug 13

Meet the 2012 Green Energy Challenge Finalists

A highlight of recent NECA conventions, the annual ELECTRI International Green Energy Challenge student design competition will feature four finalist teams in Las Vegas —  Georgia Tech, Iowa State University, University of Washington, and Youngstown State University

The teams will make their presentations in Las Vegas on September 29 immediately following the 2012 NECA Energy Forum. Each team is made up of construction management and engineering students who participate in their university’s student chapter of NECA. This year marks the first time four finalist teams have been chosen, as opposed to three.

“Energy Forum participants enjoy finishing the day hearing about the students’ visions of the industry’s future,” said Rob Colgan, NECA executive director, market development and Energy Forum organizer. “The Forum focuses on electrical contractors learning from each other, sharing how different companies are incorporating a variety of energy solutions work into their businesses. Then we can see how the next generation is using that information to create real changes for buildings on their campuses.”

More information about the 2012 Green Energy Challenge >>

Jul 31

More Safety Than Ever at NECA 2012 Las Vegas

Safety Roundtable

Sunday, September 30, 2012 at 1:00 am – 2:00 pm

The Safety Roundtable is being conducted for the third consecutive year. The roundtable allows for two-way discussion on NECA’s Safety related activities and electrical industry needs. Participants will have the opportunity of hearing and engaging in the lively discussions. Learn more about education offerings at NECA 2012 Las Vegas >>

NECA Safety Forum

September 29-30, 2012
Presented by NECA Premier Partner Westex™

The Safety Forum focuses on how rapid changes in the electrical industry are requiring electrical contractors to be on the leading edge of many safety and health requirements. Clients now demand evidence of effective safety performance and the integration of safety and health management systems to jobsite safety. Safety and health has evolved from a regulatory drive activity to and business development tool.
NECA’s Safety Forum brings together a collection of leading industry presenters that provide clear vision of existing and new safety rules and how to implement effective compliance strategies. The Safety Forum isn’t exclusively for safety professionals; business owners, project management staff and supervisory personnel who want to know how this evolving aspect of the industry could affect their duties will benefit, too. See the full schedule, and register now >>

Electrical Transmission & Distribution OSHA 10 Course

Saturday and Sunday September 28-29, 2012
8:00 am – 5:00 pm

The ET&D OSHA 10 Hour is introductory awareness course for electrical line construction. The course is conducted over a two days of classroom instruction. The course objective is to train trainers to enhance accident prevention, review electrical safety principles and how it relates to today’s electrical line construction industry. It’s intended to prepare workers to gain an understanding of how to identify concepts and techniques of electrically safety related work practices of line workers. The course also covers an overview of OSHA construction safety regulations with an emphasis on electric generation, transmission and distribution (1910.296 and 1926 Subpart V). Upon completion participants will receive an OSHA 10 Hour card with the ET&D Partnership logo. (Course is not part of the Safety Forum or Weekend Package) Pricing: $450

Register Now >>

Jul 18

Welcome Makita Tools USA Back to the NECA Show!


Fans of Makita Tools have missed this familiar presence at the NECA Show for the past few years, but we’re happy to report that a NECA favorite is returning in 2012!

The industrial power tool maker has nearly 100 years of experience in advanced motor design and takes pride in using the latest innovation to engineer and manufacture the tools professional electrical contractors need on the jobsite. Come by Booth #1759 or visit www.makita.com for more information about their latest product developments.

Jul 05

What’s Next for NECA Safety Professionals?

Following the success of the second annual NECA Safety Professionals Conference, NECA will offer a specific selection of vital safety tracks presented at the new Safety Forum at the NECA convention in Las Vegas, Sept. 29-Oct. 2.

Presented by NECA Premier Partner Westex™, the Safety Forum focuses on how rapid changes in the electrical industry are requiring electrical contractors to be on the leading edge of many safety and health requirements. Clients now demand evidence of effective safety performance and the integration of safety and health management systems to jobsite safety. Safety and health has evolved from a regulatory drive activity to and business development tool.

NECA’s Safety Forum brings together a collection of leading industry presenters that provide clear vision of existing and new safety rules and how to implement effective compliance strategies. The Safety Forum isn’t exclusively for safety professions; business owners, project management staff and supervisory personnel who want to know how this evolving aspect of the industry could affect their duties will benefit, too.

The NECA Safety Forum will be held Saturday, Sept. 29 from 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. through Sunday, Oct. 1 from 8-9:30 a.m., following by the popular NECA Safety Round Table at 1-2 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

Jul 05

More about Mandalay Bay

It’s been 14 years since NECA brought its annual convention and trade show to Las Vegas, well before Mandalay Bay opened its doors. We thought you’d like to know a little more about where you’ll be for the electrical industry’s favorite annual event!

NECA 2012 Las Vegas will be the first convention held in a single location, with housing and meeting facilities under the same roof – but what a location it is! Two hotels, the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino and TheHotel, book-end the convention center. Each hotel tower is magnificent with its own unique style and room accommodations. Both hotels are large enough to host industry events like NECA, but intimidate and family-oriented so that everyone will enjoy their time at NECA 2012 Las Vegas.

The Mandalay Bay Convention Center opened its doors as the fifth-largest convention facility in the United States, and the largest meeting facility located on the world-famous Las Vegas Strip.

The entire Mandalay Bay complex – from hotel to special resort features to meeting and event rooms – are luxurious without pretention. The clubs, restaurants, casino and outdoor water activities are amazing here.  Owing to the outsized nature of Mandalay Bay, it’s possible to really never leave and yet be fully entertained.

If you do want to hit the Strip or check out some of the city’s other sights, see visitlasvegas and Las Vegas Monorail website on getting around the city. You should also check out the NECA 2012 Las Vegas special tours and excursions.

Jun 19

Get Moving! New Utility Vehicles Join NECA Show Exhibitors!

Five leading utility vehicle manufacturers are bringing their newest models to the NECA Show floor in Las Vegas, giving this year’s expo a reason to get moving.

These are the cutting edge models for electrical contractors’ service vehicles,” said Julie Duda, NECA Show sales manager. “Especially with the emphasis on electric vehicle charging stations at this year’s NECA Show, the vehicle exhibitors are ready to provide answers to fit those needs for contractors as well.”

Vehicle exhibitors will include:

Jun 18

Announcing David L. Pogue, Keynote Speaker for 2012 Energy Forum

The 2012 NECA Energy Forum will focus on the business realities of the energy solutions market, and the Forum’s keynote speaker David L. Pogue certainly knows the economic benefits of using green energy technologies.

As Global Director of Sustainability, Institutional & Corporate Services for CB Richard Ellis, Inc., the world’s largest commercial real estate services firm with 300 offices worldwide, Dave Pogue is responsible for leading sustainability programs for CBRE’s property and facilities management portfolio across the Americas.

“We’re very excited that Dave will be speaking at the Energy Forum,” said Forum organizer Rob Colgan, NECA executive director, market development. “He has great insight about what sustainable energy practices can make a true difference in the costs of property management, and he will share exactly what building owners and managers want to know from their electrical contractor when they’re considering energy-efficient upgrades.” 

Prior to joining CBRE, Pogue served as Executive Vice President, Ownership Services, for Insignia/ESG in the Western Region and joined CBRE with the company’s acquisition of Insignia. Before joining Insignia, he was Director of Management Services for CB Commercial in the San Francisco Bay Area.

At CBRE, his leadership has produced an award-winning sustainability platform that leverages thought leadership, outstanding service delivery and corporate associations to raise the worldwide green building standard. Program achievements include aggressive endorsement of the U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR® program, the introduction of the Green Knights, delivery of co-branded BOMA BEEP training to nearly 10,000 attendees and recognition as the first manager of commercial property to certify more than 100 buildings in the LEED® for Existing Buildings rating system. CBRE was also ranked No. 30 in Newsweek’s list of the 500 greenest companies in the U.S., honored by the EPA as a four-time ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year and recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council® with the Leadership Award for Organizational Excellence.

“He’s certainly one of the sharpest pros in the business when it comes to blending sustainability with smart business practices for commercial real estate,” Colgan said. “David’s keynote will be a great kick-off for this year’s Energy Forum.”