ECA March Membership Meeting | |
The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) held its March Membership Meeting on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. The luncheon session was held at Mastro's Restaurant in Chicago, IL. The program featured industry updates and a guest presentation by Marlene Hopkins, Commissioner, City of Chicago Department of Buildings. We thank the Commissioner for her time with the presentation.
READ MORE
| |
NECA Association Executives Institute (AEI)
March 3 - 5, 2025
| |
The Association Executives Institute (AEI) is an educational meeting of national and chapter NECA staff in the city where the NECA Convention will be held. This year, Larry Bell, Chapter Manager - Alaska Chapter, NECA served as the Chair of AEI. In addition to the educational aspect, staff had an opportunity to begin making preparations for their members' visits to Chicago. Mark Thomas, ECA Executive Vice President lead the assembly with the "Pledge of Allegiance" and gave a “Welcome Address. ” He showed a brief "Welcome to Chicago!" video highlighting the City – the great work that our members do, the great restaurants, attractions, nightlife, etc. Mr. Thomas also participated with two panels: “Chapter Executive as a Leader” and the “NECA Adopt-A-School Initiative” as moderator. Tim Taylor, ECA Assistant Manager assisted with a “Best Chapter/Member Service Practices” panel.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.
| |
69th Annual Paddy's Day Luncheon
Friday, March 14, 2025
| |
The 69th Annual Paddy’s Day Luncheon was held on Friday, March 14, 2025 at the Chicago Hilton & Towers. The International Ballroom was filled with nearly 800 attendees representing all facets of the Chicagoland Electrical Industry. The program began with a visit from the Shannon Rovers Bagpipers and an Invocation from Deacon John Donahue, former IBEW-NECA Technical Institute Director. David Witz, Continental Electrical Construction Company was the 2025 Big Shillelagh. Kevin O’Shea, Shamrock Electric Company, Inc. presented the Francis P. Cummins Award posthumously to Joseph Connelly, Connelly Electric, Inc. A loving tribute was then given by Joseph’s brother, Kevin Connelly. The Big Shillelagh for 2026 is Mark P. Gibson, The Agency: Sales Thru Solutions. We thank all that were able to participate with this unique industry event!
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
| | "Bridging Safety Standards: How the New NFPA 70B Standard Enhances Compliance with NFPA 70E" (3/18/25) | |
A special Safety Seminar was hosted by the Safety Committee's of the Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) and the Northeastern Illinois Chapter of NECA. The seminar, which was only open to NECA members, was called, "Bridging Safety Standards: How the New NFPA 70B Standard Enhances Compliance with NFPA 70E." The program was facilitated by Kyle Krueger, NECA Codes & Standards Director and Jeff Noren, NECA Codes and Standards. The half-day program was held at the IBEW-NECA Technical Institute (INTECH) on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
LEARN MORE.
| |
ECA Student Committee
NECA-IIT Student Chapter Update
As you are aware, the NECA - IIT Student Chapter is excited to participate in the 2025 Electrical Contracting Innovation Challenge (ECIC) sponsored by NECA and ELECTRI International. The challenge has begun in earnest. The students received the project parameters for review and have the opportunity to take a number of Revit classes to aid them with any modifications / recommendations they may have concerning the project plans. Also, the students will have guest presenters throughout this semester to aid them in familiarizing themselves with various aspects of the electrical construction industry. The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) / the Chicago & Cook County Chapter, NECA wishes to thank the ECA Student Committee for their oversight concerning the NECA-IIT Student Chapter. The Committee is instrumental in coordinating potential speakers, topics, among other areas that will help the students with the Challenge. We thank the speakers for volunteering their time and expertise. The project submittal date is May 7, 2025. Best of luck to the students with the ECIC!
The current presenters and topics include:
Tim Moylan, Gurtz Electric Co. - Cost-effective lighting options (Building Automation / lighting controls);
Jack Smith, Kelso-Burnett Co. – Revit;
Matt Kelly, Gibson Electric An Emcor Company – Fire Alarm Systems;
Matthew Anderson, Maron Electric Company – Estimating;
Mike Meyer / Lenny Weber – Continental Electrical Construction Company;
Marty Rogers, Candor Electric, Inc. – Project Scheduling.
| |
ECA Regular Membership Meeting
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Truluck's Steakhouse - Rosemont, IL
Please join us for the ECA Regular Membership Meeting.
This luncheon event is scheduled as follows:
12:00 pm: Registration / Networking
12:30 am: Lunch
1:15 pm: Business Session / Guest Speaker
2:30 pm: Concludes
This program will feature industry updates and a guest presentation from Matt Blair, CEO & Co-Founder of the Well Resource Center, NFP.
You can register on the ECA website/link below or give the office a call at: (708) 531-0022.
|
|
ECA Young Professionals Spring Leadership Event
Thursday, April 24, 2025
The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Young Professionals Committee is proud to sponsor an upcoming Young Professionals session. Lt. General Ronald Bailey, NECA Senior Vice President Industry Development, is the guest presenter.
REGISTER NOW!
| |
SAVE THE DATES!
ECA Young Professionals
7th Annual Leadership Conference
Thursday, August 14, 2025 - Friday, August 15, 2025
Hilton Chicago / Oak Brook Hills Resort -- Oak Brook, IL
|
|
Rebuild Together Metro Chicago
"Christmas in April"
April 26, 2025
Powering Chicago, the joint labor management committee working together to promote a stronger union electrical construction industry is extending an invitation to you to partner with them in the annual Rebuild Together event.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION!
| |
NECA Legislative Conference
April 28 - 30, 2025 --Washington, D.C.
The 2025 NECA Legislative Conference will be taking place on Monday, April 28 to Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at the Salamander Hotel in Washington, DC. This conference is the premier event for electrical contractors to hear about the top legislative issues affecting the industry and meet the leaders who are working to provide real solutions.
Stipend Availability:
The Executive Committee approved the registration fees, transportation and accommodation costs for all attendees of the NECA Legislative Conference to be held April 28 – 30, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
Items to be Discussed:
NECA’s top legislative priorities for 2025 are aimed at optimizing the business climate for electrical contractors:
- Supporting a Reconciliation Package
- Securing Prosperity Through Tax Reform
- Greenlighting Growth with Permitting Reform
- Investing in Our Nation’s Infrastructure
CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION
|
|
Local Union #134 IBEW Helping Hand Fund – Fundraiser
May 10, 2025
2 pm - 7 pm
115 Bourbon Street
3359 West 115th Street
Merrionette Park, IL 60803
The fund was created to assist members of Local Union #134 IBEW who are in need of assistance. Through all of the generous donations that the Helping Hands Fund has received, over 500 Local Union #134 IBEW members have received various forms of assistance. Join the Helping Hands Fund by assisting with this upcoming Fundraiser.
There will be food, beer, wine & pop, as well as a 50/50 "Split-the-Pot" raffle and a $1,000 Door Prize! Tickets are $40 in advance. For updates & ticket information, please contact (312) 474-4151 or visit the website at: www.helpinghand134.org.
| |
ECA 53rd Annual Spring Conference
Wednesday, June 4, 2025 - Thursday, June 5, 2025
The Grand Geneva Resort & Spa
| |
The Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago’s (ECA’s) 53rd Annual Spring Conference will be held on June 4 - 5, 2025 at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Please plan to attend the 2025 Electrical Contractors’ Association 53rd Annual Spring Conference. If / When registering for the golf outing, be sure to list your golf foursome request. We look forward to seeing you at the Electrical Contractors’ Association 53rd Annual Spring Conference.
Please register on/or before April 25, 2025.
Click Here for Registration Information!
| |
"Basic Estimating of Electrical Construction"
Tuesday, May 20, 2025 - Thursday, May 22, 2025
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Jim Johannemann, NECA Estimating Training Faculty Member - Facilitator IBEW-NECA Technical Institute (INTECH) - 6201 W. 115th Street, Alsip, IL.
8:00 am - 4:00 pm (for each of the three days)
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED!
Please contact the ECA office to be placed on a Wait List.
|
2025 ECA Research and Education Committee Update
The 2025 Education Programming Schedule is confirmed for 2025. Please click the link below for a full listing with links for registration!
CLICK HERE FOR LISTING
| |
ECA Educational / Conference Stipends for 2025
The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) Executive Committee has approved a number of educational stipends for many special programs / conferences throughout 2025. All stipends / reimbursements are made after each conference with registration confirmation(s) and applicable receipts forwarded to ECA.
CLICK HERE FOR LISTING
| |
NECA Project Excellence Awards Application Process
The 2025 NECA Project Excellence Awards applications are officially open! This is your chance to showcase the innovation, expertise, and dedication that went into your 2024 projects! Winning this prestigious award means national recognition, industry prestige, and the chance to inspire the next generation of electrical contractors!
APPLY NOW!
| |
NECA Convention & Trade Show
September 12 - 15, 2025
The NECA Convention & Trade Show will soon be in Chicago! Special Chapter activities are being planned! Registration begins the week of May 19, 2025!
| |
Culture of Collaboration Workshop
Transforming Our Industry Together: Introducing the DEI Program for ECA of Chicago
The ECA is continuing its exciting journey to shape our future with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at its core. As you're aware, we've partnered with Leadership Surge to bring a specially designed DEI program to the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) of Chicago, and you’re invited to be a part of this transformative experience.
Please use the scheduling form below to secure a date and register your companies for the live 2-hr DEI Training session:
Scheduling Form
The goal is to have each company choose their preferred training and capture their contact information and preferred training location.
Here’s what's in store for us:
- Tailored Training Sessions: From senior leadership to our valued front-line employees, there’s something for everyone. Get ready to dive into interactive sessions that will empower us to lead and participate in a more inclusive workplace.
- Engaging Learning Formats: Whether it's live workshops or on-the-go learning through a mobile app, this program offers flexible ways to engage with DEI principles. Plus, Toolbox Talks will bring DEI conversations right into our daily routines.
- A United Effort: This isn't just training; it's a movement towards building a workplace where every voice is heard and every contribution valued. We're not just aiming for compliance; we're striving for commitment and change.
Program Intro
| |
CSC Update
For a listing of coursework available through the Construction Safety Council (CSC) for the month of April 2025, please visit www.buildsafe.org.
| |
|
NECA Safety Professionals Conference
The NECA Safety Professionals Conference (NSPC) is the premier event for safety leaders in the electrical industry!
Join NECA on May 19-21 at the IOWA Events Center in Des Moines, IA, for three dynamic days filled with powerful keynotes, expert-led breakout sessions, and cutting-edge safety solutions tailored for electrical professionals.
CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION.
| | | | |