LiveWire
May 2021
Upcoming Events
May 5, 2021
Virtual Session 1
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
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 and LinkedIn!   
May 6 - 7, 2021
Location: INTECH

May 10 - 12, 2021 (Revised Dates)
Drake Oak Brook Hotel


May 19, 2021
Union League Club
(Evening Program)


May 25 - 26, 2021
Virtual Conference


May 27, 2021
Drake Oak Brook Hotel


June 9 - 10, 2021
The American Club - Kohler, WI
Registration closes on April 30, 2021.
April Membership Meeting
The March ECA Membership Meeting was held as the first "in-person" Membership Meeting in over a year! The program was held on Thursday, April 15, 2021 at Maggiano's Banquets in Chicago. The meeting featured a number of industry updates and was highlighted by presentations from Anna Maria Kowalik, SVP Dir. Business Development, Inland Green Capital regarding C-PACE program and Ryan Keller (via Zoom), ComEd Industrial Outreach Service Provider. We thank Anna Maria and Ryan for their time with the meeting!
Pictured above is Anna Maria Kowalik, Inland Green Capital LLC.
Pictured above is Rick Jamerson, ECA President, Jamerson & Bauwens Electrical Contractors, Inc., as he opened the meeting.
ECA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
ECA Chicago is pleased to kick off the Contractor Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training Program! Session #1 is May 5, 2021.


ECA Young Professionals
The Young Professionals of ECA Chicago held their first in person event of the year at Top Golf's newest facility in Schaumburg on March 31st. Close to fifty members came out for an evening of networking, golf and camaraderie - which was well received after close to a year of virtual activities. 


The Young Professionals of ECA meet on a quarterly basis for education, networking, and leadership training. The Annual YP of ECA Leadership Conference is scheduled for August 26 and 27th in Milwaukee Wisconsin, and will feature nationally renowned speakers and a tour of Milwaukee Tool's Innovation Center.
Registration for the Conference to open, soon!
Attendees at the Top Golf event!
Quick Links
 
(The collective bargaining agreements, industry statistics, among other industry information is available on the website.
No log-in is required.)

 
ECA Educational Programming
The ECA Research and Education Committee is pleased to have been able to present the following programs in April. We hope that you will be able to participate with future sessions.
"Contract Administration: Crossing the T's and Dotting the I's" Webinar
 
The ECA's Research and Education Committee presented a virtual classroom program called, “Contract Administration: Crossing the T's and Dotting the I's.” The program was conducted by Stephane McShane, Maxim Consulting Group. The program was held on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. 

Ms. McShane discussed that contract administration may be the most important aspect of a project manager’s role when it comes to mitigating risk and protecting the company. She reviewed the pitfalls and lessons that every PM must be watching on their contract and relayed a few stories to illustrate the importance of thorough contract administration.

Following this class, participants will be able to:
  • Understand the key components of a contract from a field and project management standpoint.
  • Learn effective methods of managing RFIs.
  • Discuss the documentation needed to mitigate the risk on the company's behalf.

We thank Ms. McShane for her expertise with this event!


"Driving Success With a Virtual Workforce" Webinar -
 
The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Research and Education Committee presented a virtual classroom program called, “Driving Success with a Virtual Workforce.” The program was conducted by Matt Firestone, Commonwealth Electric Company of the Midwest. The program was held on Thursday, April 22, 2021 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. 

Mr. Firestone discussed that across the country contractors are facing challenges managing remote workforces but there are also many opportunities for success. The first thing that comes to mind for many companies is providing the right technology and while technology is part of the equation there are two other vital components, communication, and culture. This program explored challenges contractors face, the opportunities to overcome them, and some best practices to foster and achieve success.

Following this class, participants will be able to:

  • Identify the challenges and opportunities of managing a remote workforce.
  • Understand opportunities to drive communication and foster a productive culture  
  • Implement best practices to manage a remote workforce.  

We thank Mr. Firestone for his time and expertise with the program!

ECA Education Program Update

Please click below for the updated ECA Education Program list for 2021.
NECA NOW

The NECA NOW Leadership Conference was held virtually on April 13-14, 2021. This two-day Executive Leadership Conference (click on logo for highlights) focused on professional and personal growth. We hope that you were able to participate!
‌
‌


The ECA is on Facebook:

The ECA is on Linked-in:
NECA ANNOUNCES DAY & NIGHT SOLAR TO BECOME NECA PREMIER PARTNER
The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) has entered into a three-year agreement with Day & Night Solar, a turnkey solar solution provider for commercial and residential construction, to join NECA’s Premier Partner program, effective immediately. This industry-leading program connects NECA members to the leading companies in the electrical construction industry. Partnership will connect electrical contractors to Day & Night Solar’s industry-leading expertise in the solar market.
 
Day & Night Solar successfully competes in the Solar PV Industry through cooperation with NECA member contractors and understands what it takes to provide a winning combination for turnkey Solar PV developments.
‌
‌


The ECA is on Facebook:

The ECA is on Linked-in:
NECA Project Excellence Awards
The The application process is still available for the NECA 2021 Project Excellence Awards.  Please click on the link for full details regarding registration / submittal parameters:
Safety Update
-CSC February Schedule / Joint Safety Forum
CSC Update
For a listing of coursework available through the Construction Safety Council (CSC) for the month of February, please visit:  www.buildsafe.org. 

NECA Safety Professionals Conference
May 25 - 26, 2021 - VIRTUAL

Please click on the link below for more information.
 
STIPEND AVAILABLE
As a reminder, The ECA Executive Committee approved the educational stipends of the Registration fees for up to two representatives of participating ECA member firms for the NECA Safety Professionals Conference on May 25 - 26, 2021. All stipends / reimbursements are made after each conference with registration confirmation(s) forwarded to ECA.



NECA Recognition of Safety Achievement

NECA Recognition of Achievement in Safety Excellence and NECA Recognition of Zero Injury Achievement recognize companies that thrive on maintaining OSHA recordable rates at levels lower than industry. Both programs seek to recognize companies that have taken safety above and beyond compliance. The Zero-Injury recognizes those member-companies that have worked a full calendar year without recordable incidents. The Safety Excellence is the association's premier recognition program and acknowledges member-contractors' safety performance. 
 
The ECA congratulates the following member firms for their NECA Safety Recognition in 2021:
 
2021 Recognition of Achievement Zero Injury Award:
Allied Universal Technology Services
High Voltage Electric
McWilliams Electric Company
Linear Electric Inc.
Lyons-Pinner Electric
 
2021 Recognition of Achievement of Safety Excellence:
Aldridge Electric Inc.
Allied Universal Technology Services
High Voltage Electric
McWilliams Electric Company
Lyons-Pinner Electric
Linear Electric Inc.
Taylor Electric Company, Inc.
Industry Statistics
Stay on top of monthly data for our industry: number of contractors active, quantity of people employed and total hours worked.
May 19, 2021
ECA Membership Meeting
Please join us for our
May Membership Meeting!
The program will feature industry updates,
and a guest presentation from:
Matthew Beaudet, Chicago Department of Buildings Commissioner.

The "In-Person" EVENING event
is scheduled as follows:
ECA Membership Meeting
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
Union League Club of Chicago
65 W. Jackson
Chicago, IL
(312) 427-7800
Complimentary Valet Parking /
Validated Garage Parking
Club requires at least Business Casual Attire
(Business Casual includes: collared shirt, including turtleneck, slacks or skirt with blouse or sweater.
Dress denim is not considered Business Casual.)
Registration / Networking: 5:30 pm
Dinner: 6:00 pm
Business Session / Guest Presentation: 7:00 pm
Event Concludes: 8:00 pm
Pictured above is Matthew, Beaudet,
Chicago Department of Buildings Commissioner.

PLEASE NOTE COVID-RESTRICTIONS / GUIDELINES WILL BE IN PLACE: Masks are required for anyone entering the facility. Please contact ECA with any questions or concerns: (708) 531-0022.