Apprentice Appreciation Day

Program: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Trade Show/Apprentice Challenge: 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Join thousands of apprentices for the NECA Apprentice Appreciation Day at NECA 2025 Chicago! We have planned a special program for apprentices working at all levels of electrical construction from first year to fifth year. Following the workshop, all participants can visit the NECA Show Floor, FREE!

• Don Finn, Business Manager, IBEW Union Local 134
• Gene Kent, Executive Director, IBEW-NECA Technical Institute
• Mark Thomas, Executive Vice President at Electrical Contractors’ Association of the City of Chicago
• Todd Stafford, Executive Director, electrical training ALLIANCE
• Steve Richman, CEO, TTI

Moderator: Pete Mastrorocco, Senior Vice President, Education, Events & Partnerships, NECA

Keynote: Leadership for Apprentices

• Alex Willis, Leadership Surge

Lunch will be provided to all Apprentices

Apprentices visit the Trade Show Floor

Registration Process

Apprentices can be registered in one of two ways:

1. Register with JATSD Invitation Code
   • The local organizer collects the names of apprentice registrants and updates the JATC Registration 2024 spreadsheet.
   • The local organizer will then send this spreadsheet to Michael Serangeli at CMR: mserangeli@cmrus.com
     • View additional instructions on completing spreadsheet.
     • Deadline to submit spreadsheet is September 16.
2. Register on Apprentice Day at the San Diego Convention Center in Hall H

The NEC Escape Room Challenge

This interactive experience is designed to test the knowledge and skills of apprentice attendees on the National Electrical Code (NEC) in a fun and engaging way.  Senior Instructor Geoff Gardner, known as the “Escape Room Genius,” has dedicated countless hours and considerable brainpower to crafting our escape room’s layout, plan, and design. The NEC Escape Room Challenge is a unique, hands-on activity where apprentices navigate through a series of puzzles that require a solid understanding of the NEC.

NEW FOR 2025: Apprentice Day – Now Featuring an Exclusive Outside Line Appearance

NECA 2025 Chicago is introducing an exciting new feature just for outside line apprentices! This year, don’t miss the Walking Classroom – an immersive, self-guided tour on the Trade Show Floor designed specifically with you in mind.

Get a close-up look at cutting-edge tools and technology, including one of this year’s highlights: a manhole recovery trailer demonstration.

Stay tuned – more details coming soon, You won’t want to miss this hands-on experience built to power your future in the field.