NECA Blog

All The Latest News from NECA

Jun 10

NECA 2014 Chicago Schedule Changes

The following three events have been rescheduled to accommodate the meeting and to maintain convenience for those planning to attend Saturday’s events.

The Business Development Meeting, originally scheduled for Saturday afternoon from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, has been rescheduled for 8:00 am to 9:30 am, the ELECTRI International Green Energy Challenge, originally scheduled for 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm, has been rescheduled for 9:30 am to 12:00 pm, and NECA’s inaugural Student Chapter Job Fair, originally scheduled for 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm, has been rescheduled for 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

  • Business Development Meeting: 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
  • Green Energy Challenge: 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • NECA Student Chapter Job Fair: 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Visit NECAConvention.org for Full Schedule of Events

Jul 02

Registration Going Strong – Still Time to Catch the Early Rates!

Beth Ellis reported that registrations for NECA 2013 Washington DC are coming in daily, putting this year’s convention and trade show on track for the same record-setting attendance that we enjoyed last year in Las Vegas. Beth has been making the rounds at all the NECA spring and summer meetings, getting the word out about this year’s great program in D.C. We caught up with her between travels to see what she thinks will make NECA 2013 Washington DC special.

Q: So what’s going to make NECA 2013 Washington great?

Beth Ellis: Well, this year will mark the first time NECA has been in Washington, DC since 2001 when we celebrated NECA’s 100th anniversary. Of course, 9/11 was weighing heavy on all of us at that convention, too. I think this year will be a great time to examine how much the industry has changed in just 12 years. DC has changed, too. We’re going to be at the brand-new convention center, we have several new hotels we’ll be using for housing, and there’s a lot to look forward to.

Q: Like what?

Beth Ellis: We could only host a “Night at the Museum” opening reception at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in DC! Outside of that movie, how many people ever get to see what the museum looks like after all the visitors are gone? And no one expects to outshine the Hope Diamond, but we’re going to glam things up, too. We’ll have a great dance band and several other entertainers, plus bars and the best hors d’oeuvers in the city – not to mention a few other surprises throughout the museum!

Our education programs are also incredibly strong this year. We kick everything off with pre-convention workshops (that are a great value for intensive training), and we’re hosting the Safety Forum and Energy Forum again. We’re offering 19 technical workshops throughout the NECA Show and an array of management seminars with full registration.

Q: So you’re expecting crowds similar to last year?

Beth Ellis: If registrations keep coming at the same rate, we’ll actually have more people this year than we did last year. The Washington Convention Center is a beautiful, spacious facility and we have plenty of rooms reserved for attendees.

And if you don’t have time to attend the full convention, our weekend packages are a great choice. You get the maximum education and networking opportunities for a minimal time commitment.

But everyone should get their plans and registrations made sooner rather than later – not just for the Early Registration savings, but to make sure they get their first-choice for hotel and travel. There’s so much to do in the city, and October is the perfect time of year to be here.

There you have it: NECA 2013 Washington DC is shaping up to be another blockbuster convention and trade show, with lots of special touches that can only be found in the nation’s capital city. Make your plans to be there today!

Sep 30

Youngstown State University Takes Top Prize at 2012 Green Energy Challenge

Students from Youngstown State University took top prize at the fourth annual Green Energy Challenge, sponsored by the National Electrical Contractors Association and ELECTRI International – The Foundation for Electrical Construction.


Winners were announced from the four  finalist teams following team project presentations at the conclusion of NECA’s Energy Forum on Saturday, Sept. 29. Youngstown came in second at last year’s competition, and the students were thrilled by their first win.

The University of Washington team came in second, and Iowa State University was third. Georgia Tech came in fourth. This was the first year four teams were included in the finalists’ presentations. Christian McCuen from the University of Washington was recognized as Best Presenter. The winners were announced at the annual NECA Student Chapter Summit on Sunday, Sept. 30.

For the 2012 Challenge, teams selected a facility on their campus, conducted an energy audit of the building’s power and lighting systems, and designed and proposed a retrofit for both systems. Teams were encouraged to use NECAWORKS in their proposals.

Finalist proposals can be viewed online.

Congratulations to Youngstown State University and their NECA chapter affiliate, Mahoning Valley Chapter, NECA!

 

Sep 30

The Real Work Behind Energy Solutions: 2012 Energy Forum

The second NECA Energy Forum compressed intense learning into three far-ranging discussions, covering everything from energy-efficient retail operations to advanced lighting controls to national energy policy.

“I believe the real change will happen at the local level,” said Jack Ryan, CFO/Treasurer, AMC Inc. “We can talk about putting together a national energy policy that includes all the innovation and opportunities for renewable power and energy efficiency that we’ve discussed here today, but for something to work, real people have to be invested in what the change means in their local communities.”

Reyad Fezzani, a global energy business executive with a passion for clean technology, agreed with Ryan. “We will do this grassroots,” he told Energy Forum attendees. “We need to look for partners and work together rather than waiting to be told what to do.”

The second panel discussion introduced NECA contractors who have added energy solutions to their company services. When Rubio Rubio started his company On Target Electric in late 2008, he had a commitment to remaining at the forefront of industry changes. He became an instructor for the California Advanced Lighting Controls Training Program (CALCTP) and through the program, was awarded a lighting controls project for SCE.

“My company is fairly small, but since we made the commitment to help our customers save money through energy-efficient lighting, we have grown every year. That’s pretty convincing when you’re making the decision about taking on energy solution work,” he said.

Sep 12

Insider Info: Now Available at the NECA Energy Solutions Booth

Here’s your chance to network with electrical contractors who have already branched into specific energy solutions markets!

The NECA Energy Solutions Booth (#1749) will host a series of informal roundtable discussions throughout the NECA Show, along with live NECAWORKS™ demonstrations, including the new wind power module. The schedule of roundtable discussions times and topics will be posted at the booth.  Programs include: Lighting Retrofits, Microgrids, Advanced Lighting Controls and Smart/Sub Metering.

Sep 12

Schedule for Energy Forum

Saturday, September 29
1-4:15 p.m.
Mandalay Bay Convention Center

The 2012 NECA Energy Forum is an intensive afternoon of peer-to-peer learning, featuring an excellent keynote speaker and expert panels that will inform and inspire NECA contractors to grow their businesses through energy solutions.

The 2012 NECA Energy Forum will explore the many ways NECA contractors are growing their companies by offering energy solutions that improve building performance and lower operating costs. The 2012 Forum, hosted by NECA Vice Presidents Stan Lazarian and Dan Schaeffer, opens at 1 p.m. with keynote speaker David L. Pogue, Global Director of Sustainability for CB Richard Ellis, Inc.

 2012 NECA Energy Forum Agenda-at-a-Glance

Opening and Keynote
Keynote Speaker: David L. Pogue, Global Director of Sustainability for CB Richard Ellis, Inc.
Learn about sustainable energy practices that can make a real difference in the costs of property management and how electrical contractors can connect with owners and managers.

Panel 1: Opportunities in the Energy Solutions Market: Technology and Policy Shaping Tomorrow
Moderators: Rob Colgan, NECA; Stan Lazarian, NECA VP District 9
Panelists: Jack Ryan, America’s Mart; Reyad Fezzani, Energy Finance Company; Bryan Hansel, Smith Electric Vehicles; Matt Syal, Michigan State University

Panel 2: Developing New Business in Electrical Contracting
Moderators: Mir Mustafa, NECA; Dan Schaeffer, NECA VP District 7
Speakers: Larry Hollis, Rosendin Electric; Dave Peterson, ERMCO Inc.; Rubio Rubio, On Target Electric

Conclusion/Wrap-up

The 2012 Energy Forum is available for individual registration or is included with full convention registration for NECA 2012 Las Vegas.

Your energy solutions education doesn’t stop with the NECA Energy Forum. A series of related management workshops and technical workshops are offered throughout the Convention and the NECA Show.

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 20

NECA Energy Forum – A Great Opening Act For NECA Las Vegas 2012

Saturday, September 29, 2012

1–4:15 p.m.
Mandalay Bay

Want to make the most of your time in Las Vegas? Want to learn about the hottest topics in energy efficiency and business development? Make plans to be at the Energy Forum on Saturday, September 29 starting at 1:00 pm. And, best of all, if you have a full convention registration, access to the Energy Forum is included!

Electrical contractors offer the solutions for all the emerging technologies affecting building performance, operating costs and occupant productivity. The 2012 NECA Energy Forum will explore the many ways NECA contractors are growing their businesses by expanding into the energy solutions market. The Forum, hosted this year by NECA Vice Presidents Stan Lazarian (District 9) and Dan Schaeffer (District 7), opens at 1 p.m. with keynote speaker David L. Pogue, Global Director of Sustainability for CB Richard Ellis, Inc., speaking on the sustainable energy practices that can make a real difference in the costs of property management and how electrical contractors can connect with owners and managers.

Following the opening keynote, Rob Colgan, NECA Executive Director of Market Development will moderate a panel discussion on “Opportunities in the Energy Solutions Market: Technology and Policy Shaping Tomorrow.” Leaders from across the business community will provide insight and perspective on the energy solutions market. Representatives from wholesale merchandising, electric vehicle manufacturing, and the academic community will share their knowledge about specific electrical contracting opportunities in their business sectors.

A second expert panel on “Developing New Business for Electrical Contractors” will complete the plenary content for the Energy Forum. NECA contractors from across the country will discuss the different ways their companies implemented business development programs to pursue and get energy solutions work. No two methods are exactly the same; each strategy reflects the unique strengths and goals of these individual NECA contractors. NECA Director of Market Development Mir Mustafa will moderate the panel and field questions from participants. The business development panel will appeal to contractors with established business development strategies who want to expand, as well as to contractors who want to get started.

“Energy solutions work and business development go hand-in-hand. You can’t be successful in one without the other,” said Stan Lazarian, chair of NECA’s Energy Solutions Task Force.

“Electrical contractors shouldn’t just hope that this work finds them one day. We have to be proactive,” said Dan Schaeffer, chair of NECA’s Business Development Task Force. “The Energy Forum helps contractors put all the pieces together to go where the industry is moving by putting technical knowledge and business development tactics together at one event.”

ABOUT THE 2012 NECA ENERGY FORUM: The 2012 NECA Energy Forum is an intensive Saturday afternoon program featuring an outstanding keynote speaker and expert panels that will inform and inspire NECA contractors to grow their businesses through energy solutions. The Forum will conclude just in time for the Green Energy Challenge finalists’ presentation, the annual NECA Student Chapter design competition where some of the brightest young minds from across the country present their energy solutions to the NECA audience and judges.

Your energy solutions education at NECA 2012 Las Vegas doesn’t have to stop with the Energy Forum. A series of related management workshops and technical workshops are offered throughout the Convention and the NECA Show.

The NECA Energy Forum was launched in 2011 to deliver industry-specific information about the market opportunities and business process of energy solutions work to electrical contractors. The NECA Energy Forum has become an integral part of the NECA convention and tradeshow experience and will continue to address topics like building automation and controls; energy efficiency; electric vehicle charging; energy storage; lighting retrofits; smart grid technology; solar/PV; and wind generation.

The 2012 Energy Forum is available for individual registration or is included with your with full convention registration for NECA 2012 Las Vegas, and will be held Saturday, Sept. 29, 1:00 – 4:15 p.m., at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.