Thank you!

Thank you for attending NECA 2015 San Francisco!

It was a huge success that wouldn’t have happened without you.

We had more than 6,000 convention-goers make their way to the Bay Area for the weeklong activities. From the opening reception at the world-famous Exploratorium — where conventioneers and guests enjoyed over 650 interactive exhibits ranging from mechanical contraptions to “physical phenomenon” artworks — to the closing concert given by Kenny Loggins that had attendees getting Footloose, there was plenty to do and see in San Francisco.

Highlights of NECA 2015 San Francisco included dynamic speakers such as education visionary Sal Khan who shared his global vision of learning and the creation of the Khan Academy. And, in the Closing General Session, endurance swimmer Diana Nyad talked about her historic swim from Cuba to the United States and the importance of having a dynamic team.

NECA 2015 featured 69 educational sessions addressing growth opportunities for electrical contractors, including effective leadership communication, risk management, 2014 NEC Significant Changes and NFPA 70E Updates.

The NECA Show included over 300 exhibitors presenting thousands of solutions. The Showstopper Showcase boasted 23 winners this year, including NECA premier partners Milwaukee Tools and Southwire. The first-ever Selfie Station, sponsored by Graybar, was a huge hit!

Here are a few things we heard during #NECA15:

“If you’re in the electrical business, you need to be here.”

— Chris Jensen, JM Electric

“Every year, [it] gets better and better!”

— Sonja Rheaume, Christenson Electric

“The NECA Show is a great place to learn about, and meet, the industry leaders.”

– Robert Zahn

“Best opening party venue EVER!”

— Daniel Santon

“As a first-year premier partner, I appreciate the opportunity to support NECA Contractors and identify opportunities to be successful and grow their business. We look forward to finding ways to create value here at the show and carry over the success to NECA 2016 Boston.”

— Jon Zelinsky, Philips

 

Save the Date for NECA 2016 Boston — Oct. 7-10, at the Boston Exposition Center

More information will be available at www.necaconvention.org.

See you there!

Social Media Takeover!

NECA 2013 DC CEU Certificates Now Available Online

Need CEUs for the Workshops You Attended? Complete Your Evaluations and Print Your Certificate!

Attendees could earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) at many NECA 2013 DC education sessions, including management seminars and technical workshops. If you had your badge scanned at educational events, you can retrieve your CEU certificate online now.  But before you do, you’ll need to complete online evaluations for each session to receive those CEUs and print your certificate. Instructions for completing online evaluations follow.

IACET CEUs are recognized by a wide range of organizations, including professional associations, regulatory boards, corporations and universities. Check with your state and local organizations to see if they accept IACET CEUs. All programs also have the start and end times listed on the certificate for participants that just need a record of contact hours.

All evaluations and certificates are electronic, so all you need to do is follow a few easy steps:

Step 1: Make sure you’ve downloaded the NECA 2013 Washington DC app for your smartphone or tablet or visit http://www.necanet.org/2013DCSurvey

Step 2: If in the app, select “Sessions” icon. The full convention schedule by day will open and you can select the sessions you attended and scroll to the bottom of the session to the “Rate This Session” button. If on the website, just select the date and a session list will appear.

Step 3: Answer the evaluation questions about the session(s) you attended. You will need to do this for every session you attended to receive the CEUs earned for attending.

Step 4:  Enter your full name and email at the end of the form. Hit “Submit” when you’re done.

Step 5: Visit www2.cmrreg.com/neca13ceu to print your certificate.

Handouts from NECA 2013 DC sessions can be accessed at http://2013.necaconvention.org/convention/session-handouts-presentations/.

NECA 2013 DC Photos Are Posted!

Looking for a photo from NECA 2013 Washington DC? Over 1,200 pictures from this year’s convention and trade show are posted on NECA’s Flickr photo-sharing account in the “NECA 2013 Washington DC” set.

View more photos

Photos are arranged by event title in alphabetical order. The set starts with the Academy of Electrical Contracting Fellow inductions; to Academy of Electrical Contracting/ELECTRI International Reception; to Board of Governors meeting — through the Trade Show and Phil Vassar at the Closing Celebration.

Take a look through the set and let us know your favorites!

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.

Getting Around in DC

Most visitors to Washington, D.C. know that the nation’s capital city boasts an extensive public transportation system on Metro and Metrobus. But a few smart tips and apps can help make getting around the city even easier.

UBER Car Service

UBER is a growing on-demand car service.  Download the app to request a private car and professional driver to deliver you to your destination with minimal wait. No need to identify your location — UBER uses your phone’s GPS to pick you up with efficiency and professional courtesy.

PARKING PANDA Parking Space Reservation

Parking by the convention center can be quite expensive, but NECA has partnered with online parking reservation service Parking Panda to offer more affordable parking options. 

Learn more about getting around D.C. >

Southern Nevada JATC at NECA 2012 Featured in Las Vegas Review-Journal

The Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee of Southern Nevada’s showcase at NECA 2012 Las Vegas was the subject of the article, “Solar Power, Plug-in Cars Mesh Well” by Stan Hanel in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The article also covered how electrical contractors are making connections for electric vehicles and solar-powered charging stations. From the article:

Here in Southern Nevada, where the sun shines 300 days a year, there is a synergy that benefits people who install photovoltaic solar panels on the roofs of their homes and buy plug-in electric cars. Unlike other homeowners, they can create a portion of the energy that powers the appliances in their homes and provides fuel for a plug-in electric car.

The article discussed EJATCSV’s training program in renewable energy and technology, and how apprenticeship includes classroom and on-the-job training. Read the full article, including details about solar power and EV charging installations, online.

A complete list of media coverage from NECA 2012 Las Vegas can be found online. 

Guest Post: Going Green in Las Vegas

By Beth Ellis, NECA Executive Director, Convention/Expo

We talk a lot about energy solutions and green power at the NECA convention and trade show, but one of the things we don’t often mention is how much electricity and material is takes to put on a show as massive as ours.

By now, most of us are used to looking for a recycling bin before tossing out our soda cans. Some facilities like Mandalay Bay go the extra mile to help us keep waste to a minimum. That’s why I was so pleased to get NECA’s official Recycle/Waste Report on NECA 2012 Las Vegas.

It turns out that we successfully recycled over 80 percent of the materials used at NECA 2012 Las Vegas! We couldn’t have done this without you – whether you one of the 1,000 people who downloaded the NECA 2012 app to get workshop handouts or refilled your water bottle from stations around the center.

I also have to thank our wonderful exhibitors who recycled their shipping materials and relied on digital content to share information with attendees.

Let’s keep those good green habits going at NECA 2013 Washington, DC!

You can see the detailed report of our recycled materials from NECA 2012 Las Vegas as a PDF.