Details
September 12 - 15, 2025
NECA Convention & Trade Show
September 12 - 15, 2025
Chicago, IL
NECA Convention & Trade Show
September 12 - 15, 2025
McCormick Place - Chicago, IL
The NECA Convention & Trade Show is coming to Chicago!
Visit www.necaconvention.org for more details / registration.
Convention Stipend
The ECA Executive Committee approved the stipend of the Registration Fee for up to two representatives and their guests from each ECA member firm that registers for the Convention. The registrations will be reimbursed to the applicable companies after the Convention.
Registration
Registration is open; please visit www.necaconvention.org to register for the NECA Convention/Accommodations. McCormick Place is located at 2301 S. Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago, IL 60616.
The regular "in-person" NECA Convention registration fee is $2,000 per NECA member, and $1,325 for the member’s spouse / guest. However, those who register early (cut-off dated July 25) will receive the “early bird” price of $1,750 for members and $1,125 for the member’s spouse / guest. After you have registered, please e-mail a copy of your completed registration transaction to the Association office at registration@ecachicago.com. This will allow us to have a record of your registration information, should you need any assistance after registering.
There are several ways to attend the Convention: Full Convention, Weekend Package:
Full Convention registration
Includes: Opening Reception, Convention Education, Trade Show Education, NECA Show, Lunch all three days of the NECA Show, Admittance to General Sessions/Closing Celebration. Registering for the Full Convention also entitles you to admission to the NECA Show all 3 days as well as Convention Education sessions at no additional charge.
*Pre-Convention Workshops are an add-on to your NECA Convention experience and require a separate registration. Pricing information can be found on the schedule page.
Registering Children
Registration for children must be completed on-line. Children may attend the NECA Show floor for all three days, but must be registered and accompanied by a responsible adult at all times. Child 16 years+ is $455; Child 7 - 15: $125; Child 6 and under is complimentary.
Weekend “Chicago” Package - $1,000
Access into Friday and Saturday events only, which includes: Opening Reception, Convention Education on Saturday, NECA Trade Show access plus lunch on the Show Floor on Saturday, and Opening General Session.
Convention Education Only Pricing -- Participant Fee: $775
If you are not registering for the full Convention but you wish to attend any of the Convention Education classes, you can pay an early registration fee of $775. This fee also entitles you to admission to the NECA Show all three days at no additional charge. Please note that General Sessions are not included.
Trade Show Only Pricing - Participant Fee: $150
Admission to the NECA Show for all three days is $150. The NECA Show is included if you register for Convention Education, Preconvention Workshops, or the Full Convention. Please note that General Sessions are not included.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations in this section refer to the cancellation of the registration in its entirety.
- Cancellations received on or before July 25, 2025 will receive a full registration refund.
- All Full Meeting and Management Seminar/Convention Education registration cancellations (including individual guest registrations) received between July 26 and August 26, 2025, will be refunded minus a $100 processing fee.
- Paid Trade Show Only registration cancellations will receive a refund minus a $50 processing fee.
- Cancellations or changes received after August 26, 2025 will not receive any refund.
- Cancellations must be made in writing. Please submit your cancellation requests by sending us a message through the NECA Registration & Hotel Support Center (necasupport@cmrus.com) or by fax to: (415) 293-4745 Attn: NECA Registration.
Refunds
Check refunds will be issued six to eight weeks after the convention date. Refunds will NOT be issued for cancellations received after August 26, 2025. Credit card refunds will be processed within six to eight weeks after receiving the cancellation.
No-Shows
Refunds will NOT be issued to participants who do not attend the Convention and do not cancel their registration by August 26, 2025.
Hotel Reservations
The Chicago & Cook County Chapter Hotel is the Four Seasons Chicago. 120 E. Delaware Place, Chicago, IL 60611. (312) 280-8800. The Room rate is $497.00 Single / Double. Hotel Tax is 17.4%. Cancellation policy: Must cancel 7-days prior to arrival to avoid a penalty of one night’s room and tax.
Chicago Chapter Events
For those Chapter members that attend the NECA Convention, the Chicago and Cook County Chapter functions are listed below. For each event, transportation is on own.
Thursday, September 11, 2025
“Welcome to Chicago” Event
6:00 pm
Reception (cocktails and heavy hors de oeuvres)
The Old Post Office
433 W. Van Buren Street
Chicago, IL
Saturday, September 13, 2024
Open Night – 7:00 pm
However, the Chapter has a number of reservations available for dinner at a number of area restaurants.
Sunday, September 14, 2025 (Joint Chapter Reception / Dinner with Northeastern IL NECA)\
7:00 pm: Reception
8:00 pm: Dinner
The Planetarium
1300 S DuSable Lake Shore Drive - Chicago, IL 60605
Monday, September 15, 2025 (Pre-Closing Event Reception)
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Reception (cocktails and heavy hors de oeuvres)
The Offshore Rooftop, 1000 E. Grand Avenue, Navy Pier – Chicago, IL
Convention Events
The Trade Show will be held at McCormick Place.
NECA Show Hours:
· Saturday, September 13: 11:30am – 5:00pm
· Sunday, September 14: 11:30am – 4:00pm
· Monday, September 15 1: 9:00am – 1:00pm
FIFTH ANNUAL Electrical Contracting Innovation Challenge
Friday, September 12 at 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
The Electrical Contracting Innovation Challenge (ECIC) is ELECTRI International’s annual challenge for NECA Student Chapters. Student Chapter teams agree that the popular challenge is stimulating because it makes them focus on problem solving by thinking in new, creative ways. This year’s student challenge focused on innovation and students’ creativity. Each faculty advisor and student team worked with their local NECA chapter and contractors to deliver a proposal containing information they learned about the electrical contractor’s role when a projects delivery method is design build. Students were to put themselves in the position of an electrical contractor and performed various tasks related to the design of electrical systems in the project provided to them. Teams received a narrative, a basic set of architectural and structural drawings, and a Revit model with just architectural and structural links included. These materials and numerous training sessions held by ELECTRI, provided the foundation for the Student Chapter teams to design and virtually construct the most innovative electrical system to meet their customer’s needs.
Opening Reception
Friday, September 12, 2025 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm / After Party 9:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Step back in time to an era of innovation and opulence at the iconic Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. Inspired by the grandeur of the 1893 World’s Fair and the extravagant parties of the Roaring 20’s, this year’s event promises to be a spectacular celebration! Join fellow attendees in exploring the wonders of science and innovation amidst the museum’s exhibits. Interactive NECA installations highlight the marvels of electricity and currents, paying homage to the breakthroughs of the late 19th century. Savor the best of Chicago’s culinary scene with a nod to World’s Fair concessions and 1920’s – inspired cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Participate in engaging games and activities designed to entertain and immerse you in the spirit of the era. Milwaukee Tool’s Tool Shed Band will keep the energy high and the dance floor buzzing. The Opening Reception at the Museum of Science and Industry is the perfect way to kick off NECA 2025 Chicago!
Opening General Session
Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 10:00 am - 11:30 am will feature Scottie Pippen
One of baseball's most talented, versatile and successful players, Scottie Pippen’s improbable journey to the NBA landed him in Chicago where he and Michael Jordan teamed up to lead one of the game’s greatest dynasties. Scottie was born in Arkansas, the youngest of 12 children, and he didn’t receive a single Division I scholarship offer. He walked on at an NAIA school, Central Arkansas, and was drafted fifth overall in the 1987 NBA Draft. He quickly established himself as one of the league’s best two-way players and only in his fourth season, claimed the first of six NBA world championships in eight years. Scottie was beloved by his teammates and when you listen to him speak, you’ll understand why!
NECA Prayer Breakfast – “Connecting by Faith and Prayer”
Sunday, September 14, 2025 at 7:00 am – 8:00 am.
NECA is offering this optional Prayer Breakfast “Connecting by Faith and Prayer.” This year’s event is 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 are assisting with the session.
Special General Session – Labor Relations Fireside Chat
Sunday, September 14, 2025 at 10:00 am - 11:30 am.
NECA members will have an exclusive opportunity to hear from NECA and IBEW leadership on the critical Labor Relations issues shaping the evolution of the electrical industry. This thought provoking session will address the challenges many areas face as well as highlight collaborative success areas can replicate for sustained growth.
The NECA Project Excellence Awards
Sunday, September 14 at 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Join us as we proudly recognize the outstanding achievements of this year’s Project Excellence Award winners. These prestigious awards celebrate the remarkable skill, innovation, and dedication demonstrated by NECA contractors across 13 distinct project categories. Be there as we shine a spotlight on the 2025 honorees and their exceptional contributions to the industry. For a full showcase of winning projects, visit www.necapea.com.
NECA Apprentice Appreciation Day
Sunday, September 14, 2025
Apprentice Challenge Program: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Trade Show/Apprentice Challenge: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Join hundreds of apprentices for the We have planned a special program for apprentices working at all levels of electrical construction from first-year to fifth-year. Following the workshop, all participants can visit the NECA Show Floor for FREE! Program Highlights: Speakers include: Don Finn, Business Manager, IBEW Union Local 134 n Gene Kent, Executive Director, IBEW-NECA Technical Institute n Mark Thomas, Executive Vice President at Electrical Contractors’ Association of City of Chicago n Todd Stafford, Executive Director, electrical training ALLIANCE n Steve Richman, CEO, TTI Moderator: Pete Mastrorocco, Senior Vice President Education, Events & Partnerships, NECA Keynote: Leadership for Apprentices Lunch will be provided to all apprentices! Apprentices visit the Trade Show Floor
Closing General Session
Monday, September 15, 2025 at 1:15 pm - 2:30 pm will feature Henry Winkler.
Henry Winkler has had more than 50 years of success in Hollywood and continues to be in demand as an actor, producer, and director. He co-starred as acting teacher Gene Cousineau on the hit HBO dark comedy, Barry, for which he won his first Primetime Emmy Award in 2018. A graduate of the Yale School of Drama, he was cast in 1973 in the iconic role of Arthur Fonzarelli, aka, “The Fonz,” in the TV series Happy Days. In recent years, Winkler appeared in a number of series, including Arrested Development, Royal Pains, New Girl, and Parks and Recreation. He is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous children’s books, including Alien Superstar, A Trilogy and Hank Zipzer the World’s Greatest Under-Achiever, a 28-book series inspired by Winkler’s own struggle with learning challenges.
Closing Celebration
Monday, September 15, 2025 at 7:00 pm (doors open); Music at 8:15 pm at Navy Pier.
Get ready for the ultimate battle of the hits at the Motown Showdown, the NECA 2025 Chicago Closing Celebration! Two of the most iconic Motown groups of all time – The Temptations and The Four Tops – will go head-to-head in an unforgettable night of music, dancing, and Motown magic. The stage will be set for a musical showdown as the Temptations bring their signature smooth moves and timeless harmonies, delivering unforgettable hits like “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” and “Papa was a Rollin’ Stone.” Then, get ready to groove as The Four Tops take the spotlight, belting out legendary tracks like “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch),” “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” and “Bernadette.” The night will feature an open bar, plenty of room for dancing, and both indoor and outdoor spaces offering breathtaking views of Chicago’s skyline and Lake Michigan. Interactive entertainment will keep the energy high as you celebrate with your peers in a vibrant, fun-filled atmosphere. Whether you’re a lifelong Motown fan or discovering these iconic hits for the first time, the Motown Showdown will be the perfect way to close out a week of industry collaboration, networking, and inspiration. Join us for a night of music, dancing, and the ultimate Motown Showdown – it’s going to be a celebration to remember!
CLICK HERE FOR CONVENTION BROCHURE. CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL INFO.
Registration Times / Dates to Pick-up Registration Packets:
Thursday, September 11, 2025 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
Friday, September 12, 2025 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday, September 13, 2025 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday, September 14, 2025 7:30 am – 4:00 pm
Monday, September 15, 2025 7:30 am – 1:00 pm
Please contact the Association office at (708) 531-0022 with any questions regarding this and any other Convention events/registration. Further information on Convention and Trade Show activities can be found on the NECA Convention website at: www.necaconvention.org.
