The Energy Revolution is Coming! NECA 2010 Boston Almost Here!

The electrical construction industry's favorite event, the annual convention and trade show of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), is coming to Boston, Oct. 2-5, where this army of energy revolutionaries will re-stock their arsenal with the skills and connections to help them make buildings more energy efficient, powered with renewable sources, and electrical systems integrated for optimal performance.

 NECA 2010 Boston brings leading electrical contractors together with the manufacturers, innovators, suppliers and service providers to find real solutions for this rapidly evolving industry.

Ranging from NFPA 70E requirements to smart grid technologies to the new OSHA crane and derrick guidelines, NECA 2010 Boston offers education and insight for all building professionals, especially those looking for the latest information on green building technologies, safety innovations, and integrated systems.  

And since many electrical contractors are classified as small business owners, NECA 2010 Boston will also feature management seminars on the business topics they handle, including managing cash flow during tough times, new FASB reporting requirements, jobsite productivity, transition planning and insurance costs.

NECA 2010 Boston will also feature insights from deep-sea explorer Dr. Robert Ballard, best known for his 1985 discovery of the Titanic and soldier Michael J. Durant, author of Blackhawk Down and In the Company of Heroes.

The nearly sold-out 2010 NECA Show has grown 30 percent from last year, with nearly 300 manufacturers, vendors and service providers that facilitate electrical contractors’ competitiveness and innovation.  

“It’s been a tough year for our industry, but change is always tough,” said Jeff Withers, Collins Electric Co., Stockton, CA. “Doing business these days means going after new types of work. But honestly, that’s what keeps me excited about being an electrical contractor, and it’s what keeps me coming back to the NECA annual convention and trade show.”

“Electrical contractors who have survived this most recent economic downturn have generally made serious efforts to diversify the type of work they perform,” said John M. Grau, NECA CEO. “In ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR’S 2010 Profile of the Electrical Contractor, 94 percent of the respondents reported that they were still doing traditional power and lighting work, but they are filling in the gaps left by the drop in traditional work with systems integration, power quality work, sustainable building projects and service/maintenance contracts. That’s big news. And that’s the demand we strive to meet at our convention and trade show.”

 Management education and technical workshops are led by instructors with hands-on industry experience and knowledge. “When our company was moving into pre-fabrication and building information modeling, we made sure as many of our employees as possible were at the NECA Show. Bottom line, it’s the best training value for the dollar in the industry,” Collins said.

The 2010 NECA Show will highlight energy solution providers, including manufacturers of electric vehicle charging stations, and the convention will include several sessions focused on the work of high-voltage line contractors.

Learn more about NECA 2010 Boston at blog.necaconvention.org, become a fan of NECA Convention on Facebook, and get updates via Twitter, twitter.com/NECAConvention.

** Media interested in registering for NECA 2010 Boston should contact Beth Margulies, NECA Director, Public Relations, beth.margulies@necanet.org. Registration is free for media with credentials.**