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May 21

Invest in the Full Registration Package; Invest in Your Career and Your Business

Why Investing in NECA 2014 Chicago is a Smart Investment for Your Future

As an attendee of NECA 2014 Chicago, you’ll want to experience the total package, including this year’s can’t-miss networking and special event offerings, technical resources and track-specific education and the largest industry trade show of its kind, the NECA Show. So, how can you take advantage of everything there is to offer at this all-inclusive event? Sign up for the NECA 2014 Chicago convention & trade show full registration package: your all-access pass providing you with the information and power you need to shape your future.

Explore Chicago’s past with NECA as we transform Chicago’s historic Field Museum into a lavish Roaring ‘20s scene for the NECA 2014 Chicago opening reception. Dance to the swinging sounds of the Z Orchestra or showcase your own talents at karaoke surrounded by prehistoric finds and modern-day discoveries and snap a picture with the most complete and preserved Tyrannosaurus-Rex in the world.

Be sure to attend this year’s General Sessions, where attendees will join opening general session speaker, Chris Gardner on the subject of the blockbuster memoir and film “The Pursuit of Happyness. We’ll learn how he worked through homelessness and single fatherhood to gain an internship at Dean Witter Reynolds and later became one of Bear Stearns’ top earners. In 1987, he established Gardner Rich & Co. in Chicago. Today, he is a multimillionaire, international businessman, philanthropist, and motivational speaker, sharing what he has learned and why passion is prerequisite for success. Catch his passion at our Opening General Session. Gardner will sign his book in the NECA booth on the Show floor after he speaks. Books will be available for purchase.

Our closing general session speaker is former leader of Navy SEAL Team Six, Rob O’Neill, who has kept America safe having been deployed more than a dozen times and held leadership roles in more than 400 combat missions in four different theaters of war. In his talk to NECA conventioneers, he’ll translate his elite SEAL training and combat experience into high-impact, actionable insights on leadership, decision-making, operating in uncertain environments, and becoming the “best of the best.”

This year’s Labor Relations Special Session is all about Workforce Development. Workforce development continues to shape our evolving industry.  NECA will take a hard look at the labor relations issues that matter to our members in a special session, bringing together the leaders that make decisions and tough choices that keep our industry moving forward.

Though, the most exciting part of attending NECA 2014 Chicago would have to be the expansive offering of educational sessions, pre-convention and technical workshops geared to prepare you for today’s ever-evolving industry. New this year, educational programs will be separated into tracks or, job-specific categories, that are designed to align with an attendee’s education focus including: business management, estimating, executive management, leadership and communication, project management, standards and safety, line construction, and technology, process, and innovation. We are opportunity to help members further their company and the education of its employees. As if that’s not enough, NECA will be providing 19 technical workshops on the trade show floor giving attendees even more opportunities to gain knowledge while in Chicago.

While there is certainly enough during the convention to keep attendees occupied, there will be other events to enjoy as well.  This year’s lifestyle program will feature a visit from the world famous Second City comedy troupe.  During the convention attendees will have the opportunity to experience some of the restaurants that make Chicago universally known as America’s best food city. Chicago is one of the most exciting and architecturally unique cities in America and NECA 2014 attendees get to see this first hand with an architecture river tour down the historically significant Chicago River.

NECA 2014 Chicago boasts returns of fan-favorite popular events as well, including: the business development meeting, safety roundtable, and Women in NECA (WIN) roundtable, along with an exciting first-ever Job Fair, providing NECA’s 30 student chapter teams with a forum to meet with NECA members and prospective employers, providing employers with an opportunity to look toward the future of their business.

This year’s Showstopper Showcase will give attendees a select sampling of some of the latest electrical product innovations to help keep your company up to date.  This full-access pass will give you three days of the NECA Show including lunch to make sure that you get the opportunity to experience all that the 2014 NECA Show has to offer.

Those who like their rhythm & blues seasoned with a whole lot of soul and a Memphis sound are in for a treat at our Closing Celebration. Celebrate a successful week with NECA at the Chicago House of Blues where you can enjoy good friends, good fun, good food — and great musical entertainment provided by actor, comedian and singer Jim Belushi and the Sacred Hearts Band.

Registration Opens May 29 — Mark Your Calendars and Take Advantage of Early Rates!

Apr 10

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.

Mar 17

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 >

Oct 29

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/.

Oct 15

Need Your CEUs for the Workshops You Attended? Complete Your Evaluations on the App!

All NECA 2013 DC attendees need to complete evaluations for each session they participated in to receive Continuing Education Units. This evaluation is a requirement by the IACET to earn CEUs; session evaluations are now fully integrated with the meeting app. So take a moment now to  rate all the sessions you attended for prompt processing of your CEU credits!

All evaluations 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.

Step 2: Select “Sessions” icon. The full convention schedule by day will open.

Step 3: Find the sessions you attended each day. Click on the session(s) you attended and scroll to the bottom of the session to the “Rate This Session” button

Step 4: 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 5:  Enter your full name and email at the end of the form. Hit “Submit” when you’re done.

That’s it!

Oct 15

Introducing: a New Way to Stay Up-To-Date with NECA

The NECA News app is available for download from iTunes and the Google store. NECA members can stay on top of the latest news in the electrical construction industry.   Users can also filter articles, stories, social media updates and videos based on 13 categories, including: green construction, safety and labor relations.

The app rolled out just in time for the association’s annual convention, NECA 2013 Washington D.C., which brings together industry professionals from across the nation. Learn more at the NECA Booth and download today!

Download the news app at  http://www.necanet.org/neca-news-app/

Learn more at www.necanet.org.

Sep 20

Pre-Convention Workshops Give an Education Head Start for NECA 2013 DC

NECA 2013 Washington DC, the electrical industry’s largest convention and trade show, will include displays from 300 exhibitors, insightful speakers and 19 free technical workshops on the Show floor, Oct. 12-15 at Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

However, the educational opportunities start before the opening festivities on Saturday, Oct. 12. Special pre-convention workshops starting Friday, Oct. 11 through Saturday, Oct. 12 offer an in-depth look at the trends and technology shaping the electrical construction industry. Each workshop is led by the leading experts in the areas covered, and training materials will be provided with course registration. Continuing education units (CEUs) can be earned for each pre-convention workshop.

Pre-convention workshops are generally run longer than convention management seminars and technical workshops. Price varies based on the program. Check the full listing on www.necaconvention.org for prices, dates and times. Instructions for adding a pre-convention workshop to your current registration can be found on blog.necaconvention.org. Popular programs this year include in-depth forums, can-do technology demonstrations, and safety training.

FORUMS

2013 NECA Energy Forum – As our nation strives for energy independence and consumer demand for renewable power and energy conservation continues to rise, electrical contractors are constantly updating their expertise in green energy trends and technology. The NECA 2013 Energy Forum will bring electrical contractors together with leading policy-makers and industry leaders shaping the energy solutions market today.

The speakers and panel discussions at the 2013 NECA Energy Forum are the best source for practical information about the trends, technology, and economic factors affecting the energy market today. Discover the latest advances in emerging technologies, energy efficiency, renewables, energy storage, combined heat and power, and the projected abundance of natural gas can mean for the electrical construction industry.

The Energy Forum will wrap up just in time for the finalists’ presentations for NECA Green Energy Challenge, the annual NECA Student Chapter design competition.
Saturday, Oct. 12, 12-4 p.m. (lunch included)
$145/$75 with full Convention registration/Included with Weekend Package registration

Safety Forum – When it comes to electrical construction, safety is everyone’s job. However, it takes a real leader to make safety a company priority. If you manage a workplace or jobsite safety program, enforce or develop safety standards, supervise workers, oversee a facility, or simply strive for a safe work environment, you need to attend the second annual Safety Forum at NECA 2013 Washington DC.

The Safety Forum goes beyond the basics. It is your opportunity to network with your industry peers, share best practices, and hear directly from the leaders developing and enforcing U.S. safety practices.
Saturday, Oct. 12, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.– Sunday, Oct. 13, 8-10 .m.
$250 member/$599 non-member/Included with Weekend Package registration

TECHNOLOGY

The Crazy World of LEDs and Controlling Them – Light Emitting Diodes are the current darling of lighting efficiency experts, but LED lighting controls can get complicated. This two-hour workshop explains troubleshooting dimmers, wireless controls and sensors, as well as their integration into larger systems. Lighting expert Jim Benya will demonstrate some of the latest products from manufacturers and how to keep up with LED innovations that seem to move at the speed of light.
Saturday, Oct. 12
10 a.m.-12 noon
$95

Leveraging BIM to Drive Scalable Prefabrication – Two industry buzzwords for productivity, “Building Information Modeling” and “prefabrication” will join forces in a two-hour course on how BIM can be integrated into an electrical contractor’s prefabrication operation. See how BIM allows contractors to use a virtual 3-D prototype of the project and map options for prefabricated components, then work with supplier to increase job site efficiency.
Friday, Oct. 11, 1-3 p.m.
$95

SAFETY

OSHA Train-the-Trainer 10-Hour Course – Registrants must have current OSHA 500 or 501 certification to participate in this course on becoming an OSHA 10 Hour trainer. The OSHA 10 Hour is the foundation of safety training for the high-voltage line industry, and the growth in line work nationwide means more trainers are needed to help get all workers safety-ready. This course is offered in cooperation with the OSHA ET&D Partnership.
Friday, Oct. 11, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.– Saturday, Oct. 12, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
$250

2014 National Electrical Code Significant Changes – NECA is an active participant in the NEC development process with representation on each of the 19 National Electrical Code (NEC) technical committees. This four-hour course is an extensive overview of significant changes to the National Electrical Code for the 2014 cycle. Learn what is new and revised, and how these changes may impact your business. Stay ahead of the game by catching a glimpse of some interesting and important NEC revisions in the next edition.
Friday, Oct. 11, 1-5 p.m.
$150

Additional pre-conference workshops are posted online. Instructions for registering adding a pre-convention workshop are posted on the NECA 2013 DC blog, blog.necaconvention.org.

All educational offerings above are fee-based. However, FREE admission to the Show is available. To receive FREE admission to the NECA trade show:

  1. Go to www2.cmrreg.com/neca_c4
  2. Use “PR6F” when asked for your SPECIAL ADMISSION CODE