National Electrical Contractors Association
Encyclopedia
Industry trade group
A trade association, also known as an industry trade group, business association or sector association, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry...
in the United States that represents the $130 billion/year electrical contracting
Electrical contractor
An electrical contractor is a business person or firm that performs specialized construction work related to the design, installation, and maintenance of electrical systems—a $130 billion industry in the United States....
industry. NECA supports the businesses that bring power, light, and communication technology to buildings and communities. Through advocacy, education, research, and standards development, NECA works to advance the electrical contracting industry.
History
After the invention of the electric light, a new industry sprung up to install electricity in homes and businesses. With little industry regulation or standardization, electrical projects were sometimes haphazard and regularly slow, since parts often had to be custom made for a project.In 1901, a group of electrical contractors met at the Pan-American Exposition
Pan-American Exposition
The Pan-American Exposition was a World's Fair held in Buffalo, New York, United States, from May 1 through November 2, 1901. The fair occupied of land on the western edge of what is present day Delaware Park, extending from Delaware Ave. to Elmwood Ave and northward to Great Arrow...
in Buffalo, New York and organized the National Electrical Contractors Association of the United States. The organization’s first constitution stated their objectives: “The fostering of trade among electrical contractors…to reform abuses…to settle differences between its members…and to promote more enlarged and friendly discourse among its members.″
Organization
NECA's national office is in Bethesda, MarylandBethesda, Maryland
Bethesda is a census designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, just northwest of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a local church, the Bethesda Meeting House , which in turn took its name from Jerusalem's Pool of Bethesda...
, with 119 local chapters located across the United States. On the national level, NECA supports the electrical contracting industry through advocacy, education, research, and standards development. At the local level, each NECA chapter is an independently chartered organization with autonomy to elect officers, determine priorities, set member dues and service charges, and help negotiate labor agreements with their local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers is a labor union which represents workers in the electrical industry in the United States, Canada, Panama and several Caribbean island nations; particularly electricians, or Inside Wiremen, in the construction industry and linemen and other...
(IBEW) union(s).
NECA is led by a chief executive officer and an elected president, board of governors, district vice presidents, and committees.
NECA Members
NECA represents electrical contractors from firms of all sizes, performing a range of services. While most NECA contractors are small businesses, many large, multinational companies are also members of the association. A directory of these contractors can be found at NECA ConnectionNECA Programs and Services
NECA provides members numerous services and opportunities, including advocacy, education, research, safety and standards development, as well as the annual NECA ShowNECA Show
As the electrical construction industry’s largest trade show, NECA’s annual convention and trade show draws attendees and exhibitors involved in all aspects of the electrical construction industry. The 2008 convention and trade show was held in Chicago, October 4-7, and had a cumulative attendance...
, the electrical construction industry's largest trade show and expo.
Advocacy
Labor Relations: At both the national and local levels, NECA works closely with IBEW to develop mutually acceptable national and local agreements.Government Affairs: NECA’s Government Affairs office focuses on legislation and regulations that would affect electrical contractors and the construction industry as a whole.
Through legislative monitoring, grassroots and constituent action, lobbying, and the $1 million-plus Electrical Construction Political Action Committee (ECPAC), NECA informs key policymakers of the views of electrical contractors.
Research
NECA is the founding sponsor of ELECTRI International—The Foundation for Electrical Construction, Inc. ELECTRI sponsors research by industry leaders, focused on the business and project management practices that impact electrical contractors. Topics for research include improving productivity, using project labor agreements, and benchmarking safety programs.Industry Information
NECA produces numerous information resources addressing business and project management, labor relations, codes and standards, safety, marketing, government affairs and regulation, and technical issues.NECA's Management Education Institute (MEI) provides management education and supervisory training programs for industry leaders; NECA publishes ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR magazine, the industry’s top source of information on electrical construction; and NECA sponsors the electrical contracting industry’s premier convention and trade show.