10/09/2020

NECA 2020 LIVE WRAP-UP

Recent Virtual Convention Highlights

NECA 2020 LIVE WRAP-UP

The NECA 2020 LIVE (virtual Convention) was held October 5 – 8, 2020.  The event encompassed the many aspects of a premier Convention & Trade Show the industry expects.   The NECA Convention Staff helped create a viable, virtual platform that allowed the participant access to the many webinars, live events throughout the four days.   The NECA 2020 LIVE was sponsored by Powering Chicago!   Over 350 individuals from all of our Chicago & Cook County Chapter members were registered for this event!

Highlights of this year’s NECA Convention include the following:

NECA-IT Student Chapter
The NECA-IIT Student Chapter participated in the NECA Green Energy Challenge (GEC) as a finalist.  Ball State, IIT, Iowa State and University of Toronto were competing.  Each team presented their competition video and answered questions form the judges on Monday, October 5, 2020.  All of the teams presented well.  The winner of the 2020 GEC was Iowa State followed by the University of Toronto, Ball State and IIT.    The compilation video winner was:  IIT followed by Penn State and Iowa State.   Penn State also won the Student Chapter of Year Award.  We congratulate all of the teams!  We thank the NECA-IIT Student Chapter for their efforts, as well as the student presenters:  Jeffrey Belshee, John Biernat, Alyssa Hauert, Jelena Mojsilovic and Raymond Schroeders.  We thank all for their support of the students.

^{Pictured above is the NECA-IIT Student Chapter during an IPRO Class at IIT.
Dr. Dan Tomal, IIT Facilitator is front & center in the photo.}

NECA Student Chapter Summit
All of the NECA Student Chapters from around the country were able to participate in the NECA Student Chapter Summit on Monday, October 5, 2020.  The next challenge is being developed.  The students are excited about the progression of the challenge and anticipate a number of changes.  The new format should be unveiled in early November 2020.

NECA Board of Governors Meeting
Highlights of the NECA Board of Governors include the official continuation of the National Disease Emergency Response Agreement (NDERA), as well as the election of the new District Vice Presidents.  In regard to NECA District IV, Wes Anderson, Anderson Electric, Inc. concluded his term and David Washebek, Lemberg Electric Company was elected.  We thank them both for their service to the industry.

Opening General Session
David Long, NECA CEO and Lonnie Stephenson, IBEW International President discussed the impact of COVID on the industry, as well as the mutual efforts of NECA and the IBEW to ensure safety on the jobsite and continued productivity in the industry.  They also discussed the continuation of the National Disease Emergency Response Agreement (NDERA).  The intent of the NDERA is to address the current public health emergency and provide guidance on safety and referral issues in a fair manner.  Both discussed the progress being made with each group’s Diversity & Inclusion Committees.  Both are working to expand diversity in the industry.

^{Pictured above from left to right are:  David Long, NECA CEO and
Lonnie Stephenson, IBEW International President}

Academy of Electrical Contracting
David Hardt, Academy of Electrical Contracting Chairman, Hardt Electric, Inc. introduced the new inductees into the Academy of Electrical Contracting on October 6, 2020.  Two Chicago & Cook County Chapter members were inducted:  Eric Nixon, NECA Governor, Maron Electric Company and David Witz, Continental Electrical Construction Company. Both exemplify the qualities of a Fellow in the Academy:  both are outstanding leaders in the industry, they continually share their wisdom and experience with others to enhance the industry, and they have “rendered to the industry services so outstanding and exceptional as to be beyond any normal call of duty or loyalty.”  Congratulations, Eric and David!

^{Pictured above is David Hardt, Academy of Electrical Contracting Chairman, Hardt Electric, Inc.,
as he introduced the Academy of Electrical Contracting Inductees.}

Special Events
Rick Jamerson, ECA President, Jamerson & Bauwens Electrical Contractors, Inc. welcomed the attendees during the Opening Reception with the Milwaukee Tool Shed Band!  The NECA 2020 LIVE had a number of special sessions including presentations by Victoria Arlen, Paralympic Athlete and Sports Reporter, as well as Lt. General Nadja West, former Army Surgeon General.  Women in NECA and NECA Future Leaders held a joint meeting. 

^{Pictured above is Rick Jamerson, ECA President, Jamerson & Bauwens Electrical Contractors, Inc.,
as he welcomed the attendees during the Opening Reception.}

NECA Project Excellence Awards
NECA’s Project Excellence Awards recognizes companies for their outstanding commitment, professionalism and ingenuity in delivering an electrical project across 12 different market sectors.  Chicago & Cook County Chapter member, Hy-Power Electric Company was recognized for their work done on the Countryside Municipal Complex in the category of Energy Solutions / Green Buildings Over $1 Million.  Congratulations, Hy-Power!

Virtual Trade Show / Webinars
NECA 2020 LIVE participants were able to attend the virtual Trade Show and experience the following:  Attended Trade Show education classes; saw new product demonstrations by the many exhibitors, perused the Showstopper Showcase, interacted with exhibiting company executives, among many other activities.  NECA had over 70 webinars made available with a wide range of topics, including Powering Chicago’s “Contactless Office Campaign,” “Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging:  Understanding Your Blind Spots,” “Work in Process:  A Critical Metric to Your Financial Statements,” “The Importance of Strategic Business Planning,” “Applying Technology for Construction Productivity,” among dozens of others.

^{Pictured above is John Donahue, Powering Chicago Executive Director.}

^{Pictured above is Elbert Walters, III, Powering Chicago Director.}

Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Unique Charitable Donation 
NECA donated $5,104 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  The dollar amount was derived from how many registrants their were for NECA 2020 LIVE!  David Long, NECA CEO agreed to dye his hair pink if registrations reached the 5,000 mark!  

^{Pictured above from left to right are:
David Long. NECA CEO,
Beth Ellis, NECA Executive Director, Convention-Exposition, and 
David Meade, NECA 2020 LIVE! Moderator.}

Convention Education / Trade Show Education
Recent Convention attendees can review the many Convention webinars that are available until November 15th!  As of this writing, NECA will be uploading content on October 9th and wrapping up the following week. Most of the Convention Education will be made available on the 9th! The Trade Show Education will be available the following week.

Next Convention
We hope all will be able to participate with next year’s Convention & Trade Show to be held on October 9 – 12, 2021 in Nashville, TN!