NECA Convention 2009 Seattle: The Blog

Thanks to everyone who got their NECA 2009 Seattle registrations in before early registration closed on July 24. All those last-minute decisions pushed our attendance well beyond expectations!

“I think it shows that NECA members recognize what great value there is in attending the NECA convention and trade show is, even in a down economy,” said NECA CEO John Grau. “We’re really refined this year’s program to focus on key education topics and the right networking opportunities. NECA members know they can’t afford to miss it.”

Registration is still open, and anyone can register on-site in Seattle as well.

“I’m thrilled we’ve met our attendance goals, but we don’t want to stop now,” said Beth Ellis. “There still plenty of time and plenty of space to register. In fact, many people are looking at their plans now and realizing they want to add on a pre-convention workshop or tour to their schedule. That’s great, too. We want to make NECA 2009 Seattle the best convention for our members that we can!”

To add a pre-convention workshop, go here.

An article in Energy Biz magazine describes some of the $65 billion energy projects and tax credits included in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. The economic stimulus includes $8.7 billion for energy efficiency improvement at federal facilities and $4.5 billion for smart grid projects.

First of all, congratulations to you for taking advantage of NECA 2009 Seattle’s full roster of pre-convention workshops. (We start them on Friday, Sept. 11 so folks attending the Board of Governors meeting Sept. 12 can go, too.)

Second, you can add pre-convention workshops and tours to your existing registration online or call Katie at 301-215-4506 for help.

If you want to make the changes to your registration online, follow these steps:

1. Click on “Attendee Registration” at the top of the NECA 2009 Seattle website.

2. Select “I know my username and password.” When prompted, enter your username and password if you are not already logged into the site.

3. The NECA 2009 Seattle registration will display. Select “Review Your Registration” at the top of the page.

4. Your registration will display. Select “Would you like to update your registration?” from the top of the page.

5. Scroll down and select “Update Event Tickets” from “Registrant Events.” From here, you can enter the number of tickets you need for a pre-convention workshop.

6. Click “Update” at the bottom of the page. You are now registered for a pre-convention workshop.

Q. I live in Seattle, and I’m coming to the NECA Show and Convention, but I don’t need a hotel room. Do I need to pay the $155 fee?

A. No, you do not need to pay to stay at your residence. This fee is only for out of town guests that decide to book outside of the room block.

Seattle locals have a great advantage, and we’re hoping to see people who maybe can’t make it to the entire convention at some of the great pre-convention workshops. Find out that fits your needs right now!

To read more 2009 NECA Seattle Fact or Fiction, visit our Access Seattle page.

Questions? Please contact Katie@necanet.org or call 301-657-3110.

Beth Ellis, executive director for NECA’s convention and trade show, recently took the time to answer a few of the questions about NECA 2009 Seattle. See her Q&A on the new Access Seattle page of the 2009 NECA Seattle blog.

Early registration for NECA 2009 Seattle, including hotel reservation, ends July 24. One event hotel, the Seattle Westin, announced today that it has lowered its room rate for NECA 2009 Seattle from $239/night to $207/night. While the Sheraton will host the Opening Reception and offers the best proximity to the Washington State Convention & Trade Center, the Westin is great option for attendees who want more opportunity to see Seattle! (Of course, regular shuttle service will run to all hotels.)

To further sweeten the deal, the Westin is offering a 15 percent discount on hotel food and beverage (excluding alcohol) purchases to NECA 2009 Seattle attendees.

Don’t miss these deals. Make your registration and reservations today!

Looking to find an easy way around Seattle? Check out “Seattle’s Best,” a section of the website completely devoted to Seattle eats, tours and travel.

Complimentary shuttle service is provided between the Washington State Convention & Trade Center and several Seattle hotels, visit NECA 2009 Seattle’s website for more information about the Seattle shuttle service.

Something to consider when making hotel reservations for NECA 2009 Seattle — Sheraton hotels now offer many green advantages! Save on hotel reservations before July 24!

To read more about how Sheraton Seattle Hotel is embracing green practices, view the following PDF’s:

Seattle Sheraton Goes Green

Going Green Flyer

An article by Sandi Doughton in the July 9 Seattle Times announced that the “sunny, Central Washington town of Cle Elum could be the site of the world’s largest solar power plant” by 2011.

The Teanaway Solar Reserve is funded by Seattle telecome billionaire Craig McCaw, who also plans to bring a solar panel manufacturer to the area.

NECA and the NJATC are also bringing solar power to Washington state at NECA 2009 Seattle, with great training opportunities for contractors and workers.

In addition to several sessions focused on green energy construction, Jeff Spies of AEE Solar will lead a technical workshop Monday, Sept. 14, Launch & Grow Your Solar Business.

Tom Glavinich will lead the management session Emerging PV Market Guide on Tuesday, Sept. 15.

“The integration of photovoltaics into new commercial buildings and the retrofit of existing buildings is a profitable market for electrical contractors,” Glavinich said. Both sessions offer critical information about the solar power market.

Technical workshops are free with admission to the NECA Show. Go online to register for the NECA convention and management workshops.