Complete Story
09/16/2025
NECA Convention & Trade Show
The event was held on September 12 - 15, 2025
NECA Convention & Trade Show
September 12 - 15, 2025
McCormick Place
Chicago, IL
The NECA Convention & Trade Show was held in Chicago on September 12 - 15, 2025. The Chapter had over 90 registrants for the Convention, along with numerous Trade Show only attendees. This was the largest NECA Convention with over 10,000 registrants. The Chapter had numerous activities.
Highlights of the local and national program include the following:
NECA Adopt-A-School: Chicago Hope Academy
3M Safety Roadshow / Volunteer Day (nearly 40 from ECA member firms participated).
Chicago Hope Academy is taking workforce readiness to a new level for their students. By introducing the trades as a viable career option, the school hopes to see families break the cycle of inter-generational poverty through skill building and home ownership. The school has a 2-Year Trades Pathway program – students will be granted the opportunity to immediately begin an apprenticeship with one of their three union partners: Local 134 IBEW, Local 150 Operating Engineers and the Laborers.
NECA Convention - Apprentice Appreciation Day
Don Finn, Business Manager, IBEW Union Local 134 with Gene Kent, Executive Director, IBEW-NECA Technical Institute and Mark Thomas, ECA Executive Vice President were panelists. An Apprentice Challenge was also held on the Trade Show Floor.
Chicago Chapter Events
A “Welcome to Chicago” event had over 600 registrants. This was a Reception open to a national audience of Chapter Presidents, Governors, Chapter staff, NECA representatives, Local 134 representatives, the ECA Executive Committee, ECA Young Professionals Committee and numerous sponsor representatives, including Powering Chicago. The program was held at the iconic Old Post Office in Chicago. The Chicago Fire Department Pipes & Drums led off the evening as a tribute to First Responders, as the event was held on September 11th. Many Chicago traditions, neighborhoods, food, even the “Chicago Handshake” were featured in unique ways. A truly memorable event.
A number of reservations at a number of area restaurants were made available to the Chapter attendees.
Joint Chapter Reception / Dinner with Northeastern IL NECA
Over 200 guests at The Planetarium in Chicago.
Pre-Closing Event Reception) / Jerry McGlynn - Academy Inductee Reception
Over 150 registrants for the reception at Navy Pier Beer Garden in Chicago
Student Chapter of The Year Award
The NECA-IIT Student won the “Student Chapter of the Year” Award for the 4th time!
The NECA Opening Reception was held at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.
The Opening General Session featured Academy of Electrical Contracting Chairman, David Hardt, Hardt Electric, Inc., as he acknowledged the Academy of Electrical Contracting Inductees – Congratulations, Jerry McGlynn, McWilliams Electric Company, Inc.! The Student Chapter was also recognized during the session. Also featured was Scottie Pippen, one of basketball's most talented, versatile and successful players.
NECA Prayer Breakfast – “Connecting by Faith and Prayer”
This year’s event was sponsored by Federated Insurance. Chapter members: Terry Carr, Connelly Electric, Inc., Mike Katzenbach, Skitch Electric Company, and Alberto Rocha, Rocha Electric Company, along with Tim Taylor, ECA Assistant Manager, assisted with the session.
Special General Session – Labor Relations Fireside Chat with David Long, NECA CEO and Kenneth W. Cooper, IBEW International President.
NECA Project Excellence Award winners were recognized during the Convention: Continental Electrical Construction Company – Commercial/Institutional Under $1,000,000 – SCB Headquarters; Gurtz Electric Co. – Design Build over $1,000,000 – 1000M Luxury High Rise & Residential / Mixed-use – 4600 Marine Drive; and Sharlen Electric Company – Commercial Industrial over $1,000,000 – Wind Creek Casino.
The Closing General Session featured the CALS graduates – Congratulations, Jerry McGlynn, McWilliams Electric Company, Inc. and Karen M. Dinkins, Taylor Electric Company. The session also featured Henry Winkler who has had more than 50 years of success in Hollywood and continues to be in demand as an actor, producer, and director.
The NECA Closing Celebration was held at Navy Pier’s Aon Ballroom and had two of the most iconic Motown groups of all time – The Temptations and The Four Tops – that went head-to-head in an unforgettable night of music, dancing, and Motown magic.
The Association congratulates all those recognized during the Convention, and thanks all that were able to participate in representing the Chicago & Cook County Chapter!
PICTURES TO FOLLOW SOON!
