NECA Blog

All The Latest News from NECA

Oct 15

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!

Oct 12

Thousands Gather in Bay Area for NECA 2015 San Francisco

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) 2015 Convention and Trade Show was deemed another rousing success, with more than 6,000 members and Chapter staff attending this year’s events in San Francisco. 

The annual gathering continues to be an exciting mix of opportunities for education, inspiration, networking, and fun!

“Every year, they get better and better,” said Sonja Rheaume of Christenson Electric in Portland, OR.

JCP_4365

NECA kicked things off by hosting the opening reception at the world-famous Exploratorium where conventioneers and guests danced the night away with music from the Milwaukee Tool band. Located at San Francisco’s Pier 15, the Exploratorium is internationally recognized as the premier museum of science, art and human perception containing over 650 interactive exhibits ranging from mechanical contraptions to “physical phenomenon” artworks to high-tech computerized displays. Attendees were able to explore museum exhibits, enjoy specialty cocktails, fortune telling, karaoke and much more!

JCP_5053On Sunday, the NECA Show opened with the ceremonial ribbon cutting by NECA executive director, Beth Ellis. The NECA Show is the #1 trade show of it’s kind in the electrical construction industry presenting the largest gathering of manufacturers and distributors showcasing thousands of solutions contractors need to save time and money on the job, and grow their business.

JC2_7659Highlights of NECA 2015 San Francisco, which concluded Tuesday, included dynamic speakers such as education visionary Sal Khan who shared his global vision of learning and the creation of the Khan Academy. Learn more »

The second general session speaker was endurance swimmer Diana Nyad, who talked about her historic swim from Cuba to the United States and the importance of having a dynamic and amazing team. Learn more »

Read more about these sessions on the blog

 

JCP_5378There were also preconvention workshops and educational opportunities throughout the weekend. View full schedule here » 

Other meetings included theNECA Business Development Meeting, the Women in NECA (WIN) Roundtable and the NECA Student Chapters Job Fair and Green Energy Challenge.

Iowa State University was named the winner of the Green Energy Challenge. The student team from Iowa State beat out two other finalists, Penn State University and the Illinois Institute of Technology, for the top spot. Purdue University won the poster contest.

Charles Freeman of Gulf Electric in Mobile, AL and his wife Shaleen said they enjoyed their trip to the Bay Area. They gave rave reviews for all of the presentations at NECA 2015 San Francisco, especially the one about Alcatraz, Life on the Rock.

Chart-topping musician Kenny Loggins had NECA 2015 attendees getting Footloose when he performed an exclusive concert Tuesday evening for the closing celebration at the Warfield.

Education presentations and credit hours are now avilabile, learn more here »

Be sure to check out NECA’s Flickr stream at flickr.com/necanet for photos of everything that went down during NECA 2015 San Francisco — we may even have one of you!

NECA2016Boston ShowBanner 1100x300Next year’s convention will take place in Boston, October 7-10 at the Boston Convention & Exposition Center. Save the date and be sure to sign up again when registration opens on June 3.

More information will soon be available on necaconvention.org.

See you in Boston!

Oct 04

Innovative Industry Leaders Gather to Discuss Business Development

NECA member and District 7 Vice President Skip Perley led a group of innovative leaders in the electrical industry to discuss business development at a meeting Saturday at NECA 2015 San Francisco.

Perley focused on how contractors can turn their everyday businesses in a way that separates themselves from their competition.

The first speaker was Jake Millan of Tesla Energy. His goal was to show contractors how to come up with ideas to drum up new business.

The mission of Tesla, he said, is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. He noted that the first smart car has Tesla batter in it, and the company now has the largest distribution of batter systems in the world.

Millan also described the Tesla’s array of products, including electric cars and batteries, in detail and took questions from the audience.

Next, Michael J. Johnston, NECA’s executive director of standards and safety, talked about the business opportunities of NFPA 70E.

He also provided an overview of sharing the responsibility between employers and employees and how the standard’s requirements are integrated into electrical contractors’ operations. Finally, he discussed the hierarchy of safety controls.

Electrical safety is a shared responsibility between employers and employees, he concluded, and 70E requirements are an integral part of electrical contractor operations.

“Right away, safety pays, and safety training pays,” said Dan Henrich of PDE Total Energy Solutions.

To cap off the afternoon, Tim Speno, President and CEO of E2E Summit, introduced a presentation from Ekso Bionics, which helps survivors of stroke, spinal cord injury and other forms of lower extremity to walk again.

Oct 03

Welcome to NECA 2015 San Francisco!

Welcome

You have arrived at the electrical construction industry’s No. 1 event of the year — The NECA Convention and Trade Show — an exciting mix of opportunities for education, inspiration, networking, and fun!

For all the information you need, go to www.necaconvention.org.

There, you’ll be able to view a full schedule and get to know your way around San Francisco.

Here are a few things you can look forward to: 

  • NECA will kick things off by hosting the opening reception at the world-famous Exploratorium on Saturday night. Conventioneers and guests are invited to gather at a mad scientist’s penny arcade, an inventor’s funhouse, and an experimental laboratory all rolled into one eye-popping, playful place. Enjoy refreshments, delicious nibbles, stunning views of the Bay, camaraderie, and, of course, endless exploration!
  • You will also get to hear from several dynamic speakers while you’re here.
  • The Opening General Session will feature Sal Kahn, founder and CEO of the Khan Academy, a not-forprofit organization with the mission of providing a free, world-class education to anyone, anywhere. And endurance swimmer, broadcaster and noted swimmer Diana Nyad is sure to impart some valuable lessons during the Closing General Session.
  • Preconvention workshops start on Saturday. Other meetings to attend include the NECA Business Development Meeting (Saturday), the Women in NECA Roundtable (Monday) and the NECA Student Chapters Job Fair (Saturday).
  • Educational tracks include business management; labor relations (new this year!); leadership and communications; project management; standards and safety; and technology, process and innovation.
  • If you’re ready to take in a rousing concert and dance the night away, the Warfield is the perfect spot. Join us Tuesday night at our Closing Celebration for an exclusive concert by chart-topping musician Kenny Loggins. Seating and an open bar will be available.

Don’t forget to share your experiences while in San Francisco, use the tag #NECA15 on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Flickr.

We hope you enjoy your stay in San Francisco and get the most out of NECA 2015 San Francisco. See you around!

Sep 28

New to NECA 2015? Navigating the NECA Show 2015: Contractors Share Best Advice

To help the first timers or those just looking for a way to get more out of the NECA Show, US Builders Review asked NECA member contractors for their best advice. With hundreds of exhibitors and a sprawling trade show floor, educational sessions, new product demonstrations, and so much more, the NECA Show is full of ways for contractors to learn how to grow, improve and enhance their businesses.

Continue reading »

Sep 11

NECA 2015 San Francisco Sweepstakes; WIN All Access Pass

Enter to Win Free registration to NECA 2015 San Francisco, a $2060 value!

Simply like our Facebook page to enter.

Like NECA on Facebook to Win!

NECA2015SanFran-fbPrize Package Includes full registration package, your all-access pass to:

Like NECA on Facebook to Win!

 

 

 

 


Don’t forget to visit the NECA Social Media Lounge in booth #155 on the NECA Show floor!

Use #NECA15 to share your pics, updates and everything NECA 2015 San Francisco!

Jul 10

See Why We’re the #1 Event in the Electrical Construction Industry

The NECA Show is the No. 1 event in the electrical construction industry. 

We are proud to present the largest gathering of manufacturers and distributors, showcasing thousands of solutions contractors need to save money on the job and grow their business. The trade show floor is a virtual classroom, providing the latest technological advances in a wide range of areas, including power supply, security, tools, integrated building systems, lighting and controls, solar/PV and other alternative-energy markets. And be sure to attend your choice of 19 free technical workshops on the show floor.

Discover the Exhibitors & Products at the NECA Show

2015 Exhibitors