Session
Built from Within: Empowering In-House Business Developers for Strategic Growth
As the construction landscape becomes increasingly competitive, the role business developers within construction firms is more critical than ever. This panel brings together seasoned professionals who are driving growth from within their electrical contracting firms. Learn how these internal champions are identifying opportunities, building client relationships, and aligning with leadership to shape strategic direction. This session will offer actionable insights into building sustainable pipelines and winning more work, without relying solely on external consultants.
Moderated by Marco Giamberardino.
Closing Celebration: Motown Showdown featuring The Temptations and The Four Tops
Get ready for the ultimate battle of the hits at the Motown Showdown, the NECA 2025 Chicago Closing Celebration! Two of the most iconic Motown groups of all time—The Temptations and The Four Tops—will go head-to-head in an unforgettable night of music, dancing, and Motown magic.
The stage will be set for a musical showdown as The Temptations bring their signature smooth moves and timeless harmonies, delivering unforgettable hits like “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.” Then, get ready to groove as The Four Tops take the spotlight, belting out legendary tracks like “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch),” “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” and “Bernadette.”
The night will feature an open bar, plenty of room for dancing, and both indoor and outdoor spaces offering breathtaking views of Chicago’s skyline and Lake Michigan. Interactive entertainment will keep the energy high as you celebrate with your peers in a vibrant, fun-filled atmosphere.
Whether you’re a lifelong Motown fan or discovering these iconic hits for the first time, the Motown Showdown will be the perfect way to close out a week of industry collaboration, networking, and inspiration.
Join us for a night of music, dancing, and the ultimate Motown showdown—it’s going to be a celebration to remember!
Sponsored by ABB.
Closing General Session
Combatting Rework: Strategies for a Better Bottom Line
Rework is one of the most costly and avoidable issues on electrical contracting projects, impacting budgets, schedules, and morale. This session will provide practical strategies to identify, manage, and reduce rework. The COMBAT strategy for guiding organizations in systematically improving rework outcomes and increasing profitability will also be discussed.
Connecting by Faith & Prayer
Construction Suicide Prevention Outreach and Mental Health Program Train-the-Trainer
Cost: $100
There is a critical need for suicide prevention in the construction industry. The VitalCog in Construction Train-the-Trainer is a program offered to assist in the training of employees at all levels of a construction organization. This training creates a forum for dialogue and critical thinking about mental health challenges, and promotes help-seeking and help-giving behaviors. The goal of this program is to cultivate a construction community of employees who are aspiring to eliminate the devastating impact of suicide. By attending this training, participants will become VitalCog trainers and be supported in the implementation and facilitation of the VitalCog in Construction training. This course is sponsored by the NLMCC.
Contractor Strategies That Work
Discover firsthand how contractors leverage the latest technology to solve industry challenges and stay ahead of the competition. From job site automation to data-driven decision-making, this session will equip you with immediately applicable strategies and long-term innovation tactics to elevate your business now and in the future.
Converged Building Technologies
By leveraging IoT, AI, and advanced analytics, converged building technologies optimize energy consumption, streamline maintenance, and provide actionable insights. This session will explore how converged building technologies integrate HVAC, lighting, security, and communications into smart, efficient systems. Power over Ethernet (PoE), energy codes, and operational technology (OT) networks enhance building performance, as well as real-world applications will be discussed.