NECA Convention 2009 Seattle: The Blog

YEEHAW! Okay, I just had to release that sudden burst excitement that NECA Boston 2010 brings to all of us working in electrical construction.

Let me start by saying that the entire event will have some great activities, exciting displays and awesome training opportunities.

But you know me — when it comes to safety, I just can’t keep my excitement to myself. Mike Callanan may call himself a “training geek,” but I am an original Safety Nerd. So here’s the inside scoop for all us Safety Nerds (I know I’m not the only one!) about NECA Boston 2010.

For the second year, I will be hosting a Safety Roundtable, Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2:30-5 p.m. for everyone interested in discussing their latest safety practices and concerns. The roundtable will have something for everyone. For NECA’s District 10 members, we’ve invited a member of OSHA’s Directorate of Construction staff to discuss significant changes to the Cranes and Derricks rule. Our inside members will enjoy a high-level review on OSHA regulatory activates and how it will impact electrical contractors.

By all means, the roundtable isn’t the only things happening on safety at NECA 2010 Boston. Check out the ETD 10 Hour Course by James McGowan from Quanta; Safety Best Practices technical session by Steve Cavanaugh from MYR Group; and NFPA 70E 2012 Changes with Palmer Hickman and myself.

All kidding aside, safety is an issue NECA members truly take to heart, and I’m really looking forward to spending time with folks who have as much invested in keeping our companies and workers safe as I do. So don’t wait to be told about everything that happens in Boston — experience it live by attending NECA Boston 2010!

Connect with Jerry Rivera and learn more about NECA’s safety programs on LinkedIn.

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!

Did you get a chance to pick up your NECA 2010 Boston brochure yet? I was quickly sorting through my daily mail last week when I came across the NECA 2010 Convention brochure. Wow, was I impressed! I know what you’re thinking: Ok, so I admit, I am a training guy, and it really doesn’t take a lot to impress me. But quite honestly, there is some pretty good stuff going on in Boston, October 2-5.

The first thing that jumped out at me was on page 3, “Opportunities in Education.” Today, it’s crystal-clear that what separates the NECA/IBEW team is our commitment to education. I speak of education on a broader spectrum, ranging from apprentice training and journeyman upgrade programs to contractor business development opportunities. NECA 2010 has it all. From energy audit programs for contractors looking to add a new service to their customer service portfolio to the latest on building automation and control technology, there is an education program scheduled to meet your need!

You know something else that caught my attention paging through the brochure? Full page adds by NECA Premier Partners — Westex Inc, Milwaukee Electric Tool and Graybar. I am so proud that Westex Inc and Milwaukee are also NJATC Platinum Level Training Partners. How important has the addition of these industry Training Partners been to NECA and the IBEW? I can tell you first-hand that over the course of the past five years our industry training partners have helped to change the face of our JATC and AJATC training centers.

Most importantly, because of their commitment to NECA and the IBEW, we have dramatically improved the curriculum and hands-on training opportunities for our apprentices and journeymen. Please make certain to stop by and thank them when you visit them on the NECA Show floor!

Did I mention the educational opportunities at NECA 2010? Okay, but I forgot to tell you that what really impressed me in the NECA 2010 brochure was the information on the Pre-Convention Workshops. I admit my bias, but over the course of the past three years, the NJATC has been working very closely with the NECA Convention team to develop the Pre-Convention Workshops and promote our outstanding pool of Training Partners. I am especially excited that Palmer Hickman, NJATC Director of Codes & Standards, will be teaming up with Jerry Rivera, NECA Director of Safety, to give pre-convention workshop attendees a first look at the proposed changes to NFPA 70E, Electrical Safety in the Workplace.

Speaking of changes, did you know that by the time curtain comes up on NECA 2010 Boston, the 2011 National Electrical Code will be published? Do you know what changes are in store for the NEC? Don’t worry Mike Johnston, NECA Director of Codes & Standards and Jim Dollard, IBEW LU 98 Safety Coordinator will be conducting a Pre-Convention Workshop designed to bring you up to speed on the changes in a couple of hours.
I could go on and on, but I think you see where I am going with this. I was impressed and rightly so. The Pre-Convention Workshop lineup is outstanding. In fact, I believe it’s the finest group of pre-convention classes and programs that NECA has ever been assembled. I know what you’re thinking again, “Yeah, but Mike’s a training guy…” You’re right, but I encourage you to do what I did and thumb through the complete listing of pre-convention workshops.

You say you’re from the outside industry? Not a problem, NECA 2010 Boston is making a special effort to meet the needs of the outside line construction industry. How about a Pre-Convention Workshop on the latest in blended learning for our outside apprentices? Did you know our outside apprentices are utilizing computers to learn their trade through a blended, distance–learning model? Or perhaps outside safety is your interest. Several Pre-Convention Workshops address the importance of safety training for our members and contractors in the outside industry.

Ok, one last time, know what you are thinking: “He hasn’t said a word about the social program and networking opportunities.” You’re correct. I am a training guy but, I must admit, I love the Beatles! I’ll see you at the Closing Celebration!

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!

Order your copy today! See PDF order form below:

NECA09MgtSemOrderForm

Also – Download PDF’s of all presentation handouts here:  http://blog.necaconvention.org/management-workshop-handouts/

If you missed the action, NECA tweeted during the Seattle Convention & Trade Show – right from the show floor! Click here to check it out – or to catch up on what you missed!

Here is a helpful step-by-step guide on Social Media, how to get started and what to do – download it now!

For more information on NECA in Social Media, visit our website.

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.

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.

There’s a great reason to arrive early for NECA 2009 Seattle – and to bring your key employees with you. A dozen different Pre-Convention Workshops will be held on Friday and Saturday, September 11-12, at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center. They’ll feature expert instructors on topics ranging from succeeding in new markets and making the most of new technology to improving productivity and safety performance and coping in these trying times. They are open to all electrical industry participants.

Nowhere else can you find so many in-depth learning opportunities at such affordable prices, all in one location. (Workshop fees are as low as $75, and none exceeds $250.) Registration for any Pre-Convention Workshop includes admission to all three days of the NECA Show, any of the Technical Workshops held in conjunction with the Show, and the New & Featured Product Room- all at no additional cost! Use the online registration form for NECA 2009 Seattle to reserve your place at the Pre-Convention Workshop(s) of your choice.

Check out your Pre-Convention Workshop Options and register NOW!

Special events and fun social activities before, during, and after our Convention and Trade Show are just the icing on the cake. The main ingredient is the educational opportunites making NECA 2009 Seattle your energy solutions classroom and your pathway to learning how to cope and prosper in these tough times. Be smart now: Register before early discounts expire on July 24. Get even smarter in September!

Early registration ends July 24! Save NOW on registration and hotel bookings.