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.

Opening 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.

Built 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 >

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.

Baseball 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.”

 

 

 

Want to learn more about the Wrigley experience?

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

 

 

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.

Welcome to NECA 2014 Chicago

I’m Sean Rollins, NECA’s content specialist and official 2014 Chicago blogger, and I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and welcome you to NECA 2014 Chicago!

This year NECA’s annual Convention and Trade Show will be held in one of the most exciting cities in America, Chicago. Home of the blues, Willis Tower and the Chicago River, this will be our most exciting event yet.

New features for 2014 include an extensive series of education courses available in 7-work specific track types.  Led by industry experts, NECA 2014 Chicago education sessions and technical workshops are specifically designed to guide you and your team into being the best you can be in today’s ever-evolving industry, improving your business and keeping you ahead of the curve.

Meet young professionals who are interested in entering the electrical construction industry, and take your company to the next level by hiring the best and brightest at this year’s first-ever Job Fair, Saturday September 27 at 3-5:00pm.

It’s not all work at NECA 2014 – Join us for the opening reception Saturday, September 27, at the Field Museum of Natural History for a night you won’t want to miss. Attendees will get a close up look at Sue, the real Tyrannosaurus Rex, and enjoy one of the world’s premier natural history museums, and the largest. It will be transformed into a lavish Roaring ‘20s scene that would make Jay Gatsby or Al Capone feel right at home, but the tribute to Chicago’s past goes even further back — 65 million years back!

Chicago also boasts some of the best food of any city in America. Be sure to check out our restaurant guide and plan delicious dining into your trip by exploring Chicago’s world-renowned good eats.

All this fun and excitement will lead to the grand finale Tuesday night, September 30, at the world famous House of Blues located in Chicago’s famous Loop. Those who like their rhythm & blues seasoned with a whole lot of soul and Memphis sound are in for a treat at our Closing Celebration. It’s where you can enjoy good friends, good fun, good food — and great musical entertainment provided by Jim Belushi and the Sacred Hearts Band.

Registration opens May 29, and we’re offering more ways than ever to take advantage of the premier electrical construction event of the year. So join me, Sean Rollins, your NECA 2014 Chicago live blogger and stay up-to-date with the biggest industry event of the year right here, on our exclusive event blog: blog.necaconvention.org.  Between the city and can’t miss events, everyone will want to say they were there, I know I will.

Save-the-date!

EDUCATION: BY TRACK

Make the most out of your 2014 Chicago attendee experience

All sessions for NECA 2014 Chicago are listed on the schedule by related topic, or “track” category. Each track is filled with hours of content. Attendees can customize their agenda by selecting sessions in each track that fit individual and business needs, tracks include: safety, estimating, executive management, ET&D and line construction and more!

NECA course instructors are the leaders in the industry, with unique insight and expertise to customize seminars to the management and business needs of professionals working in all levels of electrical contracting. Their presentations are geared to providing strategic and practical solutions for electrical contractors. If you want to grow your business, make sure to bring additional key personnel, so you can cover all the bases. Streamlined tracks will allow NECA to better serve the ever-evolving needs of the industry.

• Business Management

• Estimating

• Executive Management

• Leadership and Communications

• Project Management

• Standards and Safety

• Technology, Process, and Innovation

• Line Construction

View schedule >

Learn more about customizing your education experience at NECA 2014 Chicago >