It's almost time for thousands of electrical professionals to gather at one of the most important industry events of the year — the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Convention and Trade Show. This year's event takes place from September 28 to October 1 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego. If you’re planning on attending, here are some of the highlights you can look forward to:
Session Speakers
This year's show features some great speakers including 14x Olympic medalist Katie Ledecky, professional golfer Rocco Mediate, and Navy Seal Commander and New York Times bestselling author, Rorke Denver.
Rorke Denver will be speaking on Sunday, September 29 at the opening general session from 10:00 am - 11:30 am. Katie Ledecky will be speaking at the Monday, September 30 general session from 10:00 am - 11:30 am. Lastly, Rocco Mediate will be speaking at the closing general session on October 1 from 1:15 pm - 2:30 pm.
Opening Reception
Are you ready to bust out your dance moves? This year's opening reception will have NECA attendees "dancing in the streets" at San Diego's famed Gaslamp Quarter. Guests can enjoy food and drink from a wide variety of restaurants and participate in games located around the historic area.
The party hub will be the Electric Avenue stage where the Milwaukee Tool Shed Band will play music all evening. The Gaslamp Quarter is located across from the San Diego Convention Center so attendees won't have to go far in order to dance the night away!
Closing Reception and Musical Guests
Get ready to celebrate and have a good time with this year's closing reception aboard the USS Midway. Guests can explore this piece of Naval history and get in the groove on the flight deck with musical guests Kool & The Gang. The band will be playing their number one hit "Celebration" as well as chart-toppers "Ladies Night," "Cherish," and more!
The closing reception will be Tuesday, October 1. Doors open at 7 pm and the music begins at 8:15 pm.
Apprentice Appreciation Day
Join nearly 1,000 apprentices for NECA's annual Apprentice Appreciation Day on Sunday, September 29. NECA has a special program planned for apprentices of all skill levels of electrical construction that features guest speakers from around the industry.
New for 2024, apprentices can test their skills in the Apprentice Challenge. Described as an escape-room-style challenge, participants will have their code knowledge challenged for the chance to earn prizes and bragging rights.
Give Back
This year's NECA Adopt-a-School program will benefit two San Diego area schools, Mary Fay Pendleton Elementary and Hoover High School. Attendees can participate in a silent auction for their chance to win sports memorabilia, vacation packages, jewelry, and more.
Pause for Paws
The popular petting park returns to this year's show in San Diego. Take a break and stop by the Pause for Paws petting park on the show floor to spend some time with dogs and puppies from a local San Diego area animal rescue.
Emerging Innovation Hub
New this year, the Emerging Innovation Hub is the place to discover the latest in engaging technology and innovation all in one setting. Located in the Sails Pavilion, just across from the General Session ballroom, the Hub is where you can explore important topics in the electrical construction industry and find cutting-edge answers to your business questions. The hub features a product demonstration area, the Innovation Zone, the Sails Cafe, sponsored by Schneider, and more!
