LiveWire
April 2023
Upcoming Events
APRIL
April 12, 2023
Shaw's Crab House
Schaumburg, IL
Greetings!

Please review this month's LiveWire newsletter. We hope you enjoy the local and national industry updates. As a reminder, every Monday we send an e-mail to the membership concerning upcoming events and every Thursday, we send an Industry Update e-mail. Also, we invite you to join us on Facebook , LinkedIn and YouTube!   
April 13, 2023
Drake Oak Brook Hotel
Oak Brook, IL
 
April 16 - 17, 2023
San Antonio, TX
 
April 17 - 20, 2023
San Antonio, TX

April 21, 2023
Maggiano's - Schaumburg, IL


April 26, 2023
IMSCA Lobby Day
Springfield, IL

April 27, 2023
Sean Samson Training, Ltd.
Session 4
Hyatt Lodge
Oak Brook, IL
March Membership Meeting

The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicgao (ECA) Membership Meeting was held on Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at Gibsons Steakhouse in Oak Brook, IL.
Highlights of the luncheon meeting include the following: a number of industry updates, ECA educational programming efforts, among other areas. Also, three guest speakers discussed legislative issues.

The presenters introduced by Bob Fimbianti, ECA President, Linear Electric, Inc., were: Jared Karbowsky, NECA Government Affairs Director, Mike Alvarez, Avarez & Associates and Jessica Newbold Hoselton, Illinois Mechanical Contractors Association (IMSCA). Mr. Karbowsky (via Zoom) spoke on national issues / NECA legislative efforts. Mr. Alvarez addressed the recent Aldermanic races and Mayoral race concerning the City of Chicago, as well as the upcoming run-off elections for these positions. Ms. Hoselton discussed Illinois General Assembly activity / IMSCA directed legislation. Each offered a separate Q & A session; all were met with a round of applause.

We thank the speakers for their insight into legislative issues that affect the industry!
Pictured from left to right are:
Bob Fimbianti, ECA President, Linear Electric, Inc.,
James McGlynn, Sr, ECA Legislative Committee Chair,
McWilliams Electric Company, Inc,
Jessica Newbold-Hoselton, Executive Director, IMSCA,
Bill Cullen, ECALegislative Committee,
Sharlen Electric Company, and
Michael Alvarez, ECA's Chicago Lobbyist, Alvarez & Associates.
MAY
May 8 - 10, 2023
Hyatt Lodge Oak Brook
Oak Brook, IL
 
May 10, 2023
Union League Club of Chicago
Chicago, IL
 
May 16, 2023
Hyatt Lodge
Oak Brook, IL 

May 21 - 23, 2023 
Nashville, TN

May 21 - 23, 2023
Nashville, TN

May 24 - 26, 2023
Nashville, TN

May 31, 2023
Sean Samson Training, Ltd.
Session 5
Hyatt Lodge Oak Brook, IL
JUNE
June 7 - 8, 2023
Abbey Resort
Fontana, WI

June 13 - 16, 2023
NECA Academy of Electrical Contracting
Cape Neddick, ME
 
 
June 26 - 28, 2023
Denver, CO
 
June 28 - 29, 2023
Denver, CO
 
July 17 - 19, 2023
ELECTRI Council Meeting
Kohler, WI
 
July 27, 2023
Sean Samson Training, Ltd.
Session 6
Hyatt Lodge
Oak Brook, IL

ECA Regular Membership Meeting -
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Powering Chicago Focus -

Please join us for the ECA Regular Membership Meeting.
 
This luncheon event is scheduled as follows:
 
ECA Membership Meeting
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Shaw's Crab House
1900 East Higgins Road
Schaumburg, IL
(847) 517-2722
 
Registration / Networking: 12:00 pm
Lunch: 12:30 pm
Business Session: 1:15 pm
Event Concludes: 2:00 pm
 
The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) March Membership Meeting is to be held on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at Shaw's Crab House in Schaumburg, IL. The session will feature Industry updates, as well as presentations from Rob Johnson, Rob Johnson Communications and Elbert Walters, III, Powering Chicago Executive Director. Their focus for this session is, "How your firm can benefit from participation with Powering Chicago! We do hope that you'll join us for this opportunity to meet and network with your peers in the industry! You can register on the ECA website / link or give the office a call at: (708) 531-0022.

Elbert “Bert” Walters, III,
Executive Director of Powering Chicago
Rob Johnson,
Founder, Rob Johnson Comnunications 



"Key Performance Indicators: Using Lagging Information to Create Leading Indicators" -
April 13, 2023

The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Research and Education Committee seminar called, "Key Performance Indicators (KPI): Using Lagging Information to Create Leading Indicators" is to be facilitated by Dan Doyon, Maxim Consulting Group. The program will be held on Thursday, April 13, 2023 from 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the Drake Oak Brook Hotel, 2301 York Road, Oak Brook, IL 60523, (630) 571-0000.

Breakfast and lunch are to be provided. Breakfast is to be made available at 7:45 am.
 
THE FEE FOR THIS PROGRAM IS $100.00 PER ECA MEMBER.
 
Effective financial management expertise at the top of your operation is expected. Learn how to identify the key indicators that monitor project performance and allow you to drive responsibility down to the project level, affecting the greatest positive change. Discover how to automate processes throughout different levels of your organization so that the correct information is reaching the right staff levels in a timely manner. Using lagging information to create leading indicators is an age-old problem but with a bit of insight, we can identify the top 12 indicators all organizations should be measuring and reporting on.

Following this course, participants will be able to:
  • Describe key performance metrics that create actionable information
  • Discuss data collection and metric automation methods
  • Explain deployment options

If you're interested in attending the "Key Performance Indicators (KPI): Using Lagging Information to Create Leading Indicators" seminar, please click on the link below to register or go on-line at the ECA website at: www.ecachicago.com (Event Calendar portion). 


Pictured above is Dan Doyon,
Maxim Consulting Group
The ECA is on Facebook:
The ECA is on Linkedin:
The ECA is on YouTube:
ECA 2023 Educational & Special Events Programming

Please click on the link for a listing of upcoming programs sponsored by the Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Research & Education Committee, as well as National NECA events, Chapter programs. Registration links provided in pdf.

_______________________________________

ECA Educational Stipends

The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Executive Committee recently approved a number of educational stipends for various events throughout 2023.

"Basic Estimating of Electrical Construction Workshop -
May 8 - 10, 2023

Please join us for this ECA Research and Education Committee program being held Monday through Wednesday, May 8 - 10, 2023. The workshop is being presented by Jim Johannemann, NECA Estimating Training Faculty Member.
 
Please join us at:
Hyatt Lodge Hotel
2815 Jorie Blvd.
Oak Brook, IL 60523
(630)568-1234
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (All three days)
 
Program description:
Small mistakes in an estimate can have a huge impact on your bid’s bottom line and this course provides the tools needed to be both comprehensive and competitive. This course will discuss the process for assembling an estimate including: developing material lists, applying labor unit data, material takeoff and application of direct job costs, overhead, and profit.

Following this course, participants will be able to:
  • List types of mistakes found when estimating electrical construction projects and how to avoid them
  • Describe the parts of an estimate
  • Explain the importance of establishing the true cost for a project
  • Develop an estimate to provide job management information
  • Discuss how labor units can be used to competitively bid projects
  • Explain the difference between a competitive bid and simply a low bid 

THIS PROGRAM IS ONLY FOR ECA MEMBERS!
Fee for the sessions is $200.00 per ECA member.
Pictured above is Jim Johannemann,
NECA Estimating Training Faculty Member
"Empower Your Electrical Contracting Company in 2023" - Session #3 (March 30, 2023)

The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago(ECA) was pleased to have presented the third session of the "Empower Your Electrical Contracting Business in 2023" program. The sessions are facilitated by Sean Samson, Sean Samson Training, Ltd. All of the programs have been held at the Hyatt Lodge Oak Brook.

Only three sessions remain:

We thank Sean for his efforts!
Pictured above is the class getting ready to start.
2023 NECA Events
Please click on the link below for an updated listing of NECA Events for 2023.
WIN / FL Conference
April 16 - 17, 2023

The Women in NECA and Future Leaders (WINFL) Leadership Conference features two full days of education and breakout sessions including featured speakers, group discussions and networking opportunities for both groups. The Women in NECA and Future Leaders (WINFL) conference will precede NECA Now 2023 in San Antonio, Texas. Both NECA Now and WINFL will be held at the J.W. Marriott Hill Country. Please note, the registration link will lead you to the NECA Now landing page but you will have the option to choose which event(s) you would like to attend.

Registration Closes on April 10!

_______________________________________

NECA Now Conference
April 17 - 19, 2023

NECA NOW 2023 is a three-day Executive Leadership Conference focused on your professional and personal growth. This Executive Leadership Conference will provide attendees with the opportunity to gain insights on leadership development with presentation by top business experts. 
 
CHAPTER EVENT
The Chicago & Cook County Chapter, NECA has a Chapter Dinner scheduled for the evening of April 18, 2023 in the Cherry Bark Room of the 18 Oaks!

Registration Closes on April 10!

NECA Labor Relations Conference
March 20 - 22, 2023

NECA Labor Relations Conference was held March 20 – 22, 2023 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Nashville, TN. Nearly 200 attendees participated in this year’s conference.  The overall program included a wide range of presentations from industry experts, NECA and IBEW representatives and Keynote speaker, Roy Spence. 
NECA Legislative Conference
March 27 - 29, 2023

The NECA 2023 Legislative Conference was held March 27 – 29, 2023 in Washington, D.C. The sessions were held at the Hotel Salamander. The conference built up to its final day that was filled with Congressional visits – either with the legislator or their aide(s) and a Reception that was host to a number of Congressional representatives. 

The Chapter would like to thank Eric Nixon, Maron Electric Company for his ten years in the NECA Political Leadership Council (NECA PLC) and James McGlynn, Sr., McWilliams Electric Company, Inc. for his 20 years in the NECA PLC, as they were both recognized for their PLC participation over the years.

We thank all that continue to support NECA’s legislative activity to better the industry. We also thank those that were able to attend and represent the Chapter during the Conference and legislative visits!
Pictured from left to right are:
WC Schult, Super Electric Construction Company,
Rick Jamerson, Jamerson & Bauwens Electrical Contractors, Inc., and
James McGlynn, Sr., ECA Legislative Committee Chair,
McWilliams Electric Company, Inc.
IMSCA Lobby Day
April 26, 2023

IMSCA’s 2023 Lobby Day event is being held on Wednesday, April 26th at the Sangamo Club located at 227 E. Adams Street, Springfield, IL.
 
Lobby Day activities will began at 12:00 p.m. and include an abbreviated Board and Membership Meeting. Lobby Day attendees are to receive an overview of current legislation being considered by the Illinois General Assembly that has an impact on the Illinois construction industry. Attendees will have the opportunity to visit their State Senators and Representatives at the Illinois State Capitol to discuss important legislative matters. This year’s event includes a “Construction Industry Legislative Reception” co-hosted by the Illinois Mechanical & Specialty Contractors Association (IMSCA) and the Illinois Construction Industry Committee (ICIC) from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., also at the Sangamo Club.

We hope all will be able to participate. 
CISCO Annual Meeting
April 21, 2023

The Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO) Annual Luncheon is scheduled as follows:
 
Friday, April 21, 2023
11:00 am - Registration
12:00 pm - Program / Lunch
Maggiano's
Schaumburg, IL
 
Guest Presenter:
Dan Seals, CEO of Intersect Illinois.
Intersect Illinois: Public Private Partnership Focused on Global Business Development for Illinois.

To register, please visit:  www.cisco.org.
Safety Update
CSC Update
For a listing of coursework available through the Construction Safety Council (CSC) for the month of March 2023, please visit:  www.buildsafe.org.


ECA / NECA Safety Forum -- “Fall Protection & Prevention for the Electrical Worker” --
NECA Safety Meeting App Update
Friday, April 28, 2023

You are invited to attend a Joint Safety Forum hosted by the Safety Committee's of the Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) and the Northeastern Illinois Chapter of NECA , as well as by PowerForward DuPage. The Forum is to focus on "Fall Protection and Prevention for the Electrical Worker" and a NECA Safety Meeting App update.

8:00AM - Dave Carl, President of Safety Meeting App will give a 30-minute presentation on the Safety Meeting App founded in 2012 when most companies were still completing safety meetings by pen and paper. The Safety Meeting App has been partnering with NECA Chapters since 2014 and has over 1,400 safety topics including Lockout Tagout, Energized Electrical Work Permit and Shock and Arc-Flash Risk Assessment. It is an OSHA-compliant safety tool for documenting safety meetings, completing checklists and logging accidents.

8:30AM – The Construction Safety Council will deliver an informative 2-hour presentation that addresses workplace hazards presented by ladders, overhead platforms, scaffolding, and holes in floors, walls, and ceilings.

Our presenter, Timothy E. Janis, MBA, CHST is a safety professional with 30 years of experience in the construction industry. As a trainer for the Construction Safety Council, he supports employers and employees by developing and delivering safety training programs that reduce the incidence of occupational injuries. He is a subject matter expert on local and federal regulations, as well as field-based best practices.

There is no cost to attend this event, but advance registration is required. This program is complimentary to ECA members..



NECA Safety Professionals Conference
The NECA Safety Professionals Conference (NSPC) is open to all NECA Members, IBEW and electrical training Alliance members. Conference attendees will experience three days of keynotes and breakout sessions from industry leaders and safety experts. Educational tracks include: Inside Electrical Construction, Leadership, NFPA 70E & Electrical Construction, Safety Management Regulations and Safety Management Risks. There will also be an exhibit hall with all the latest safety knowledge and gear with plenty of networking opportunities! Please register soon!


Industry Statistics
Stay on top of monthly data for our industry: number of contractors active, quantity of people employed and total hours worked.
REMINDER!!!
ECA 51st Annual Spring Conference
Registration Closes April 28th!
ECA 51st Annual Spring Conference
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 - Thursday, June 8, 2023
The Abbey Resort
269 Fontana Blvd.
Fontana, WI 53125
(262) 275-9000

The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) 51st Annual Spring Conference will be held on June 7 - 8, 2023 at The Abbey Resort in Fontana, Wisconsin. The Abbey Resort is ninety acres of unending lakeside experiences, as it is the only full-service resort on the shores of Lake Geneva, The Abbey Resort in Fontana, Wisconsin offers unique activities from lakeside dining to make and take events, along with resort amenities such as indoor and outdoor pools, family activities, live music, and of course, their full-service Avani Spa. We’re sure that this is reason enough to attend this Conference. The Membership Golf Outing is at Abbey Springs Golf Course on Wednesday morning with an 11:00 am Shotgun Start. Wednesday night’s reception/dinner meeting will provide you with the latest information regarding industry events. The Thursday morning Business Session is being defined. This conference is a great opportunity to catch up with what’s going on in this constantly changing industry.
 
CONFERENCE INFORMATION
Please plan to attend the Electrical Contractors’ Association 51st Annual Spring Conference. Listed below is a tentative schedule of events and a link to Register. You may also visit the ECA website at: www.ecachicago.com to register. In order to ensure room availability, please Register no later than April 28, 2023.
 
Please be aware that if you confirm for the one night’s stay and then cancel beyond the cut-off date you will be invoiced. The Association has had too many cancellations in the past and is then forced to pay for unoccupied rooms. Also, if you desire a night’s stay prior to or after the Conference, please contact the ECA, as soon as possible. Since rooms are based on availability, the ECA is unable to guarantee any extra date(s). You will be invoiced for any additional day(s). We remind you that this Conference is intended for the accredited representatives of all Association members. There is no fee to be paid for the golf outing, the meetings or the accommodations at The Abbey Resort. We do appreciate your understanding in these matters. We look forward to seeing you at the Electrical Contractors’ Association 51st Annual Spring Conference.
 
GOLF OUTING
If you’re registering for the golf outing, be sure to list your golf foursome request. 
 
DIRECTIONS 
Conveniently located just 45 minutes from Chicago's Northern Suburbs and 90 minutes from downtown Chicago, The Abbey Resort is located on the West end of Geneva Lake at 269 Fontana Blvd. Fontana, WI 53125.
WHEN TRAVELING FROM:
Chicago/North - I-294 North to I-94 West to 50 West to Highway 67 South to Fontana Blvd, Fontana, WI
Chicago Western Suburbs - I-90 West to Highway 47 North to Highway 14 West to Highway 67 North to Fontana Blvd, Fontana, WI
 
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
The tentative schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, June 7, 2023
 
Golf Outing - Shotgun Start
11:00 A.M. -
Abbey Springs Golf Course
1 Country Club Dr, Fontana, WI 53125
(262) 275-6113

Hotel Registration 
Abbey Resort - 269 Fontana Blvd, Fontana, WI 53125
(262) 275-9000
4:00 P.M.
 
Reception
7:00 P.M. - Abbey Resort
Harbor Patio
 
Membership Dinner Meeting
7:45 P.M. - Abbey Resort
Sand Bar
 
Thursday, June 8, 2023
 
Breakfast
8:30 A.M. - Abbey Resort
Wisconsin Ballroom
 
Business Session:
9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. - Abbey Resort
Wisconsin Ballroom
 
Hotel Checkout
11:00 A.M.