NECA Convention 2009 Seattle: The Blog

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!

First of all, congratulations to you for taking advantage of NECA 2010 Boston’s pre-convention workshops. (We start them on Friday, Oct. 1 so folks attending the Oct. 2 Board of Governors meeting can participate, 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 2010 Boston 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 2010 Boston 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!



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!

Check out Jason Santos aka BlueJay on Hells Kitchen last night on Fox! http://www.fox.com/watch/hellskitchen/90315730001

Did you catch the season premier of Hell’s Kitchen? Then you saw one of our Lifestyle session leaders Chef Jay Santos in action! Santos will join his mentor Chef Andy Husbands, owner of Boston hot-spots, Tremont 647 and Sister Sorel and another Hell’s Kitchen alum, for a Wicked Good Chowda Smackdown for lifestyle session participants – some of whom will be asked to serve as kitchen helpers!

Stay out of this kitchen if you can’t take the heat these two friendly rivals can dish out – or better yet, join us for what’s guaranteed to be the best chowder cooking in Boston!

Learn more about the Wicked Good Chowda Smackdown!

At a time when new technology, trends and economic realities are changing your industry, preparing for the future has never been more important. NECA is please to bring together an incredible array of opportunities for the electrical construction industry at our 2010 Convention and Trade Show in Boston, Oct. 2-5

Meeting and housing registration for NECA 2010 Boston is now live! Please note, early registration discounts end August 13.

Boston has hosted our convention four times in the past, but this year we’ll be in all-new surroundings at the spectacular Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, “the most user-friendly convention facility in the world.” Only eight minutes from Logan Airport and steps away from the best of Boston, BCEC is located at The Seaport, a newly developed area.

NECA 2010 Boston does have room blocks at three downtown hotels, and we will offer free shuttle service to the Opening Reception at Jillian’s and the BCEC for the NECA Show. If staying at a downtown hotel, you should allow 20-25 minutes extra travel time to be on time for morning management seminars.

Register now!

NECA members should be receiving the NECA 2010 Boston brochure by the beginning of next week. On Tuesday, June 1, you’ll be able to register for the NECA Convention and Trade Show (October 2-5) and arrange your hotel stay online. Early registration discounts expire August 13.

Boston has hosted our convention four times in the past, but this year we’ll be in all-new surroundings at the spectacular Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, “the most user-friendly convention facility in the world.” Only eight minutes from Logan Airport and steps away from the best of Boston, BCEC is located at The Seaport, a newly developed area. But, whether you’re lodging by the Waterfront or in one of the Downtown hotels, you’ll have easy access to all NECA 2010 Boston has to offer through our free shuttle service.

From now until the show opens, keep watching this space for information about NECA 2010 Boston. Or sign up for email updates and never miss a thing! If you still have questions, e-mail Katie Nolan at katie@necanet.org.

Check out NECA’s convention website today; come back and register next week!

Exhibitors submitted several great topic proposals for technical workshops at the 2010 NECA Show, making the choices tough for NECA’s Management Education Committee. Technical workshops at the NECA Show have grown wildly popular in the last three year, making it necessary for NECA to add a second classroom on the Show floor and double the number of sessions offered.

This year, 16 cutting-edge topics will be featured at the NECA Show Technical Workshops over three days. Admission to these informative sessions is included with all types of registrations, including Exhibit Hall-Only pass. A complete listing of NECA Show Technical Workshops and workshop descriptions is available online.

The Management Development Committee recently met to finalize the management seminars that will be held at NECA 2010 Boston, but we want to hear from you, too! We still have a few seminar slots that we’re holding to address any late-breaking industry issues or topics that our attendees want to include on the schedule.

What’s the most important thing you could learn at NECA 2010 Boston? Leave your feedback in the comments or send an email to Beth Ellis, eie@necanet.org. Recent suggestions include an update on NECA’s legislative activities, the possible future for smart grid and an evolving sales-oriented business model for NECA contractors. Do any of those seminars sound like something that would be useful to your company?