Guest Post: Connecting at NECA 2010 Boston

by Nate S. Oland, National Account Executive, Federated Insurance

I’m really looking forward to the upcoming convention in Boston! It sounds like NECA has some great activities planned, and I intend to participate in as many as I can.  September 15, 2010, marks the one-year anniversary since Federated was chosen as an Official Partner of NECA. We’re very proud of our relationship with such a respected organization.

One thing I especially like about NECA 2010 Boston is the “Connecting the World” tagline that was chosen for this year. The electrical contracting industry is constantly evolving to keep up with the latest technology and regulations.

At Federated, we recently introduced Federated’s Shield Network, an online resource which is designed to help our clients connect to the latest in a wide range of risk management tools and services. Stop by our booth #1101, whether you’re currently insured with Federated or just looking for more information on our programs or Federated’s Shield Network. We want to connect with you!

Cost Comparison: The REAL Value of NECA 2010 Boston

by Beth Ellis, NECA executive director, convention/exposition

The deadline to take advantage of early registration savings is coming up soon – August 13 – and I don’t want you to miss any of the opportunities NECA has put together for our annual convention and trade show this year. I’ve included the complete convention brochure, as well as information about our pre-convention workshops and tours, here.

I know you face tough choices in your business every day in these critical economic times. I also know that the only way your business can be prepared to take advantage of all the emerging market opportunities in our industry is to be exposed to new ideas and solutions. NECA 2010 Boston will help you discover and implement ideas that deliver results. You will learn how to search for innovative solutions and make valuable connections with your fellow industry leaders. It will prepare you for the future with new technology, trends, and economic realities changing the face of electrical construction. All this, in just three days.

Take a look at the real costs of NECA 2010 Boston – and then think about what the costs could be to you and your company if you miss out on these opportunities.

Cost Comparison: The Value of NECA 2010 Boston At NECA 2010 Boston, you can participate in education sessions geared to the needs of NECA contractors, networking events to put you in touch with fellow NECA contractors, connections to manufacturers or service providers you rely on, a value of $1,725 for the member rate of only $925. That’s an $800 savings! And, you get all that knowledge and face-to-face networking in just three days, meaning fewer days out of the office, lower travel costs, and immediate results.

$925: Member registration fee for NECA 2010 Boston includes:

Five Management Education sessions (250 minutes) – a $500 value
Three lunches on the Trade Show floor- a $125 value
Opening reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages – a $325.00 value
Closing celebration – a $100.00 value
Three General Sessions – a $195.00 value
Lifestyle Program – a $120.00 value
Fourteen hours of exclusive Trade Show access – a $255.00 value
Technical Workshops on the Trade Show floor – a $105.00 value

$1,725.00: Value of NECA 2010 Boston
– $925.00: Full member registration

$800.00: Actual Member savings

We look forward to seeing you October 2-5!  Registration for NECA 2010 Boston is available online at www.necaconvention.org. If you have any questions, please contact Katie Nolan at (301) 215-4506 or katie@necanet.org.

Only One Month Left to Get Early Registration Rates!

Early registration closes August 13, so you’re running out of time to save on your registration for the electrical construction industry’s premier event!

If you’ve already registered, we’re thrilled that you’ll be joining us in Boston, Oct. 2-5! We’re putting together a great program, and we’re continuing to update the resources and refine management and technical workshops daily. Our NECA Show exhibitors are excited about the new NECA Showstopper Showcase where you can get a sneak peak at all the latest and greatest products and services for electrical contractors.

And if you’ve already registered, but want to add one of our great pre-convention workshops to your package, we’ve made that process easy for you, too.

Smart grid technology, the Green Energy Challenge student competition finals, and energy audits look like they will be some our most popular offerings this year, so don’t miss out on these special sessions. And don’t miss out on the savings – register now for NECA 2010 Boston!

NECA 2010 Boston Registration Opens June 1!

NECA members should be receiving the NECA 2010 Boston brochure by the beginning of next week. On Tuesday, June 1, you’ll be able to register for the NECA Convention and Trade Show (October 2-5) and arrange your hotel stay online. Early registration discounts expire August 13.

Boston has hosted our convention four times in the past, but this year we’ll be in all-new surroundings at the spectacular Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, “the most user-friendly convention facility in the world.” Only eight minutes from Logan Airport and steps away from the best of Boston, BCEC is located at The Seaport, a newly developed area. But, whether you’re lodging by the Waterfront or in one of the Downtown hotels, you’ll have easy access to all NECA 2010 Boston has to offer through our free shuttle service.

From now until the show opens, keep watching this space for information about NECA 2010 Boston. Or sign up for email updates and never miss a thing! If you still have questions, e-mail Katie Nolan at katie@necanet.org.

Check out NECA’s convention website today; come back and register next week!

NEW: 2010 Contractors Challenge

NECA is launching the Contractors Challenge to encourage NECA members to provide a program for their employees to participate in the educational and networking opportunities available at NECA 2010 Boston.

“The success of my company is a direct result of the things I learned at past NECA events. I think it’s a good investment to send our young people to the NECA Convention and Show. The training our people get at NECA just isn’t available anywhere else, and it gives me a chance to reward them for working hard through the year.”
– Rex Ferry, NECA President

What’s the Contractors Challenge? Find out here!

What’s New at NECA 2010 Boston?

You told us what you wanted, and we listened! NECA 2010 Boston will reflect many great suggestions that will make it an even better event – for you and your company!

1. More family-friendly.
The 2010 NECA Show will be open to all children accompanied by an adult. All they need is a badge for admission!

2. More peer-to-peer networking.
The new NECA Women’s Peer Group and Safety Roundtable are just a few of the opportunities for special groups within the association to meet and discuss the special concerns they face.

3. More opportunities for your entire company.
Newly launched by NECA President Rex Ferry, the “Contractors Challenge: Motivate, Reward, Recognize” is a program any NECA member can customize to help bring talented employees to NECA 2010 Boston. More details can be found online!

4. More access to innovation.
Find more energy solutions across the entire exhibit hall. Companies offering green energy innovations will be identified with NECA Energy Solutions logos on their booths, in the Show Guide and on www.necaconvention.org. Attendees will also be asked to vote for their favorite exhibitors for the first time as part of ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR’s Show Stoppers awards.

5. First-Timer Orientation
Will NECA 2010 Boston be your first time at NECA’s annual convention and trade show? Don’t get lost or overwhelmed. First-time attendees will have a special orientation session from NECA and Boston chapter staff about determining and following a path that makes the event work best for you.

NECA Returning to Boston for 2010 Convention and Trade Show

Revolutionary Power. Renewable Solutions.

For more than 80 years, the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) has been bringing the nation’s leading electrical contractors together with manufacturers, innovators, suppliers and service providers to help make our electrical construction industry the strongest in the world. In 2010, NECA will host its annual Convention and Trade Show to Boston, Oct. 2-5.

NECA’s convention and trade show are the leading events for the electrical construction industry, featuring classroom and hands-on education, active networking opportunities and open discussion forums where electrical contractors can address the critical issues facing their industry.

“The NECA convention is where I come to get recharged,” said Rocky Sharp, Madsen Electric, Tacoma, Wa. “No matter how tough a year it may have been, I know I’m going to hear some kind of good news there. Either it’s a new product that saves time on a job, or a new way to connect with customers – it always helps. It always gives me a new perspective and a renewed outlook.”

“We broke all previous attendance records for our 2009 pre-convention workshops and management seminars in Seattle, largely because our training focuses on topics that matter to electrical contractors,” said Beth Ellis, NECA executive director, convention/exposition. “We ask them what issues are affecting how they do business, what aspects of the industry they want to learn more about, and sessions are led by experienced instructors. Contractors know that the NECA convention is the best deal when it comes to management education.”

NECA 2010 Boston will also feature an expanded Energy Solutions Zone with new “building green” resources at the NECA Show; special safety sessions for line contractors and a keynote speech from ocean explorer Bob Ballard, who located the wrecks of the Titanic, Yorktown, and more.

Learn more about NECA 2010 Boston at www.necaconvention.org, become a fan of NECA Convention on Facebook, and get updates via Twitter, twitter.com/NECAConvention.