“We’re thrilled to honor these innovations selected by electrical contractors around the country,” said ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR publisher John Maisel. “They represent the best in emerging technologies for our industry and add excitement throughout the show, and they will most likely become the new standard for electrical contractors’ product expectations.”

Displayed at the front of the show hall with blue ribbons and awarded commemorative plaques, this year’s Showstoppers represented diverse products, equipment and systems from a range of manufacturers and systems developers.

More information about the 2011 Showstopper products will be published in the January 2012 issue of ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR.

 2011 SHOWSTOPPER AWARD WINNERS 

Published by the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR magazine is the electrical construction industry’s leading publication, with more than 86,000 subscribers. For more information, visit www.ecmag.com.

With four wide screens continuously broadcasting clips from the daily NECA Newscast from San Diego, ElectricTV stories, Chuck Fazio’s incredible photos of events and people from around the trade show and convention on Flickr, plus everyone who uses Twitter with the hashtag #NECA11, the Social Media Wall has been a gathering place to get the latest information about events, 140-character Tweets on sessions, and special deals from NECA Show exhibitors.

I live-tweeted some of my favorite quotes from Closing General Session keynote speaker Steve Farber from this morning’s session, and within a hour, the extreme leadership guru himself was following my Twitter account. He has multiple bestselling books. I … don’t (yet). But in the world of social media, we were able to connect and follow each other’s 140-character musings. That’s the power of social media. And I hope everyone who’s tagged a Facebook photo, added a wall post, or watched the San Diego Newscasts on YouTube enjoys the same sense of connection to their industry as I have this year.

Let us know how you’ve used social media at NECA 2011 San Diego in the comments below!

Street Lamp Before & After Photos Courtesy: SanDiego.gov

The $16 million retrofit is funded by a financing package that includes a $13 million bond, $2 million in federal grant stimulus funding, and a $3 million low- interest state loan. The $13 million bond is a federally-backed Qualified Energy Conservation Bond, a program that came out of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, the original recession stimulus legislation. In addition, San Diego Gas & Electric will provide a one-time $1.2 million rebate for the lighting change.

More than 35,000 induction technology street light fixtures, using broadband light technology, will replace the old sodium vapor lamps. The new light fixtures will be brighter and make colors easier to see at night because they produce a broader light spectrum than sodium vapors. McBride has also pledged to make the job “zero-waste” by recycling all the old building materials rather than hauling them to a landfill.

Read full story on NECA’s website >>

The easiest way to connect with your fellow NECA contractors and convention-goers fits right in the palm of your hand. Use your smartphone, iPad, Android, or tablet device and keep the conversation going!

Use #NECA11 to tweet your San Diego experiences! Win prizes – 2011 San Diego exhibitors tweet exclusive offers, don’t miss out!

@necanet

@necaconvention

Become a fan — stay up-to-date with your interests in NECA:

Association news and Industry Updates /NECAnet

Women of the Industry Exclusive — Network with peers and plan for the 2012 Summit in Chicago, IL! /NECAWPG

Charlie Trout’s CQD, NEC® updates and more! /NECANEIS

Get a jump on NECA 2012 Las Vegas! /NECAConvention

New emerging markets, technology, and project success stories /NECAEnergySolutions

Student exclusive! Network with classmates, and prepare for the 2012 Green Energy Challenge! /NECAStudentChapters

Want to see photos from San Diego and year’s past? View NECA’s Flickr feed at Flickr.com/necanet

Watch a daily digest of video recaps, live from San Diego on YouTube!

Missed a session, technical workshop or just can’t get enough of NECA 2011 San Diego? Read daily posts and exclusive interviews right here on the exclusive blog!

Early registration for NECA 2011 San Diego has been extended by one week, to Monday, Sept. 5, but that doesn’t mean you’ve got time to spare!

Register now to make sure you’ve got a place with your fellow industry leaders to share best practices, new market intelligence and scope out new tools and technology, all in one location, all for the year’s most affordable event!

Spaces are nearly filled, and San Diego hotel blocks will close soon. You need to be with NECA in San Diego, Oct. 22-25! So don’t delay – register now!

To download a copy of the “Visit San Diego Guide” or have it mailed to you for free, visit the San Diego Convention Center website!

But this year, kids aren’t just welcome to check out all the cool exhibits on the Show floor. We’re also opening other NECA Convention activities to kids who are registered with badges and accompanied by an adult.

“We know that kids will want to see the USS Midway up close,” Beth Ellis, NECA executive director, convention/exposition, said, smiling. “If I was a kid who came with my parents to San Diego and found out that I was going to miss out on seeing the most famous aircraft carrier in the world, I’d be a little irritated.”

Ellis said that 2011 marks the 100^th anniversary for naval flight, so there will be special exhibits and areas for exploring at the Opening Reception, Oct. 22. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we want everyone in our NECA family to experience it,” Ellis said.

Registration rates for children at NECA 2011 San Diego are:

• Age 0-6: free
• Age 7-15: $75
• Age 16 and up: $360 before August 29; $400 after August 29 (early registration closed)

For kids age 16 and up who simply want to attend the Opening Reception abroad the USS Midway, individual event tickets are $200. The full convention registration for age 16 and up includes admission to all General Sessions, daily lunch at the NECA Show, management and technical workshops, and the Closing Celebration. To learn more about the 2011 NECA San Diego Convention and Trade Show download the brochure »

>>Register yourself or your children for the 2011 NECA Convention and Show now!