Each year the NECA Annual Convention provides members with the tools needed to keep their companies on top with cutting-edge educational programs. We are seeking proposals on a wide-range of topics in the electrical contracting industry for our annual convention to be held in Chicago, Illinois September 12-15, 2025.

Topics and content should be appropriate for the typical 50-minute presentation duration. NECA is looking for a mix of introductions to broad topics and in-depth discussions with a narrow focus. All presentations should focus on key issues in the industry, engage participants, feature audio visual elements, and provide participants with a measurable takeaway from the program. Participants should walk away from each course with a new skill or knowledge that they can use to move their company forward. Sessions that are designed to queue up a product, service, or another educational course will not be permitted.

Across all sessions, preference will be given to sessions that include a NECA member contractor as a member of the presentation team.  

Format and Presentation Types

To engage a large number of participants at varying levels of their career, there are different formats to our educational sessions at the NECA Annual Convention and Trade Show. You must select only one presentation type for each submission.

NECA Convention Education Sessions

Focusing on hot topics and key issues in the electrical construction industry, these presentations will cover a broad range of topics from communications to labor relations to safety. All presentations will be held within a two-hour block on the mornings of September 13, 14 & 15 and will either be presented as a 50-minute presentation that is immediately repeated or as a one-time 110-minute presentation.

We are interested in receiving proposals on topics that benefit electrical contractors businesses processes, practices and growth and the employees personally and professionally. Some topic areas include:

Business Best Practices & Financial Management 

• Business Development best practices
• Construction law
• Examples of successful programs and processes NECA contractors have implemented
• Financial planning and accounting
• HR/Legal
• Internal financial controls
• Managing business growth
• Payment collection best practices
• Strategic planning
• Succession planning

Leadership & Communication

• Communication best practices
• Conflict management
• Recruiting/attracting new talent
• Retaining employees
• Win-Win Negotiations

Productivity and Project Management

• Cash flow
• Change order management
• Contracts
• Data mining
• Documentation
• How to save money with preplanning/ Construction scheduling
• Labor savings & efficiency

Standards, Safety & Regulations

• Company safety best practices/programs
• Emergency action plans
• Incident investigations
• Mental health
• Risk identification and mitigation

NECA Show Education Sessions

NECA offers a wide variety of education on the trade show floor. All sessions will be held during show hours on September 13, 14, & 15. Presentations will be centered around three different rooms on the show floor. NECA Show exhibitors are eligible to submit for these Trade Show Education sessions. 

Leadership
The NECA Show has a wide audience of attendees at all different levels of their career and these 50-minute workshops focusing on leadership topics will address their growth and leadership path. Some potentials topics include: 

• Civility in the Workplace
• Conflict management
• Coaching/mentoring 
• Crisis communications
• Examples of company programs and best practices for leadership, DEIB, recruiting, etc.
• Mental Health
• Mentoring
• Progressive discipline
• Recruiting/attracting new talent
• Setting up internship programs
• Strategic planning for your business
• Succession planning
• Suicide prevention
• Time management
• Use of performance evaluations

Technology & Innovation 
These workshops will discuss the cutting-edge technologies NECA contractors need to stay ahead. Presentations should focus on industry needs, innovation and the future of electrical construction.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) in construction
• Building automation controls  
• Building information modeling
• Construction scheduling
• Data-driven electrical construction strategies
• Energy storage
• Fault Managed Power
• IT technology (IoT)
• Lighting controls
• Material/supply chain management
• Power over ethernet (PoE)
• Robotics
• Use of technology in the field
• Vehicle and fleet management
• Virtual/simulation training

Contractor Solutions
These sessions will examine common problems that electrical contractors face and the solutions—whether human or process—that others used to overcome them. 

• Building information modeling
• Business best practices/solutions
• Change orders
• Contract term negotiations
• Delays
• Documentation
• Early warning signs that you’re on a bad job
• Energized work training
• How CW/CE programs have helped get work
• How to save money with preplanning
• Lean Construction
• Lessons from retired contractors
• Lesson learned in electrical construction
• Material/supply chain management
• Partnering
• Prefabrication (with an emphasis on small companies)
• Risk identification and mitigation
• Vehicle and fleet management
• Working with construction managers

NECA Show exhibitors are encouraged to apply for the Contractor Solutions and Technology & Innovation workshops, with a strong preference given to submissions that include NECA contractors. 

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Important Dates

January 20, 2025 - Responses to Call for Proposals due
March 7, 2025 - Speakers notified of selection
September 12-15, 2025 - NECA Convention in Chicago, IL