03/12/2026
NECA Midwestern Region Spring Conference 2026
March 10 - 13, 2026 in Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort, Waikoloa, HI.
NECA Midwestern Region Conference
March 10 - 13, 2026
The Midwestern Region Conference was held March 10 - 13, 2026 at the Hilton Waikoloa Village in Waikoloa, HI. It was the one of the largest Midwestern Region Conference with over 500 registrants. The event offered the attendees the opportunity to network with industry leaders, learn from top experts, gain insights from inspiring speakers, enjoy two entertaining receptions: the NECA Opening Reception Luau and the Chicago Chapter Reception, a golf outing, special resort / island activities —all while enjoying the beauty of Hawaii!
Highlights of the Conference included the following:
- Call to Order & Pledge of Allegiance - Speakers: David Woodard, NECA; Troy Yates
- Invocation - Speaker: Tim Taylor, Chicago Chapter NECA
- Welcome - Speaker: David Woodard, NECA
- Regional Update - Speaker: Sara Smith, District 4 Vice President / Recognition of Premier Partners
- NECA District 4 Update - Speaker: Sara Smith, District 4 Vice President
- NECA District 7 Update - Speaker: Dan Smith, District 7 Vice President
- NECA National Update - Speaker: Mark Walter, NECA President
- NECAPAC Update - Speakers: Michael Quarles, North Kansas City Electric; Seth Guidry, NECA
- Convention Update - Speaker: Katie McCormick, NECA
- Opening Keynote Speaker - Bryan Dodge
An experienced speaker, bestselling author, and business strategist with over three decades of global influence. Bryan leverages professional insight, personal depth, and spiritual wisdom to ignite lasting transformation in individuals and teams worldwide. - etA Update and Available Tools - Speakers: Joe Kellams, Director of Industry Relations; Audra Kellams, Director of Workforce Education and Partnerships, Electrical Training Alliance
- Wired for Intelligence: Turning Data and AI Into Your Next Strategic Advantage - Speaker: Josh Bone, Executive Director, ELECTRI International
- NECA Education Outreach - Speaker: Pete Mastrorocco, NECA
- Breakout Sessions with Premier Partners:
Milwaukee Tool: Embracing Technology in the Ever-Changing Electrical Industry
Procore: How Culture Drives Business Success
Federated Insurance: Risk Managing Your Fleet
Graybar: Market Outlook and Economic Outlook
3M: Construction-Support Services
Milwaukee Tool: Unlocking Operational Excellence - Government Affairs Update and NECAPAC Prize Drawing - Speaker: Marco Giamberardino, NECA
- Mental Health & Suicide Prevention in the Construction Industry - Speaker: Wes Wheeler, NECA
- Labor Relations Update - Speaker: Ted Uppole, NECA
- Closing Keynote Speaker:
Marc Milstein is a brain health researcher, speaker, and best-selling author of The Age-Proof Brain. He’s known for turning cutting-edge science into practical, entertaining insights that help people boost productivity, happiness, and longevity while lowering the risk of dementia!
We thank the Midwestern Region NECA staff / NECA National staff for coordinating all of the events. We thank all that were able to attend the Conference!
Aerial photo of the Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort provide by Peggy Hrindak, Phoenix Business Solutions, LLC.
Aerial photo of the Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort provide by Peggy Hrindak, Phoenix Business Solutions, LLC.
The Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort
View from the Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort.
NECA Midwestern Region Luau Opening Reception.
NECA Midwestern Region Luau Opening Reception.
NECA Midwestern Region Luau Opening Reception.
NECA Midwestern Region Luau Opening Reception.
David Woodard, NECA Midwestern Region Director as he opened the Conference.
Tim Taylor, ECA Assistant Manager, as he gave the opening Invocation.
Al Itamoto, Chapter Manager, Hawaii Chapter, NECA, as he welcomed all to Hawaii.
Sara Smith, District 4 Vice President.
Dan Smith, District 7 Vice President.
Mark Walter, NECA President
Kendra Dinkins, ECA President, Taylor Electric Company,
as she welcomed the guests to the Chicago Chapter Reception & Dinner.
More Chapter Dinner photos: