Trade shows, conferences, conventions, and expos give you a chance to see the latest and greatest in the field. You’ll get a sneak peek at new technology, products and goodies, have a chance to take classes and hear talks from industry leaders and network with fellow electrical contractors - all while taking a miniature vacation away from home. These four expos in 2020 are some of the biggest and best for electricians and are worth considering.

NECA ConferenceThe National Electrical Contractors Association is holding its annual conference in Chicago, Illinois from October 3-6 at the McCormick Place Lakeside Center. Deemed the “number one event for power, light and communications technology”, this expo is one of the biggest in the nation. Attendee registration is not yet open, but you can visit the official NECA Convention website to sign up for updates. To give an example of potential costs, the 2019 expo early bird registration opened up in May, with members of the association paying just over $1300 to attend and non-members paying just under $2000 for full event registration. The NECA also offers budget packages and a la carte options for putting together the weekend you want - from education to entry onto the show floor. https :// www . necaconvention . org /

IEC Convention and ExpoThe Independent Electrical Contractors Association (IEC) is holding its annual convention from October 26 through the 31st of 2020 at the New Orleans Convention Center and Hilton Regency in New Orleans, Louisiana. This convention is a prime chance for contractors to learn, grow and network with others. Keep up to date with information, including registration, costs, exhibitors and classes by visiting the IEC’s official website. https :// www . ieci . org / iecconvention

AHR ExpoIf HVAC, heating, cooling, and refrigeration are your specialties, you won’t want to miss the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)’s annual trade show. The 2020 AHR Expo, the largest in this niche, is to be held from February 3 through the 5 in Orlando, Florida at the Orange County Convention Center.  You do not need to be a member of ASHRAE to attend, though members who also attended the organization’s annual winter conference in 2019 are granted free entry into the show. Advanced registration prior to January 23, 2020 is free. After that, the organization charges a $30 fee.

For more information or to register, check out the expo’s official website. https :// ahrexpo . com /

ABC ConventionThe Association of Builders and Contractors is holding its general business-oriented trade show from March 23 through 27 of 2020 at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee. This convention, while aimed at general contractors, features plenty of opportunities for electricians to learn, grow, shop and network. With business-building seminars, updates to ANSI safety and OSHA standards outlined and plenty of exhibitors to browse, the convention is one of the top general events in the country. To attend, you must be a member of the association or the sponsored guest of a member. The cost of attending varies, with early registrants paying $875 for the full event registration up to $1175 on-site the weekend of the show.

For more information or to register, visit the convention’s official website. http :// abcconvention . abc . org /
Trade Shows for Electricians in 2020

Although these trade shows are national, there are likely opportunities for conventions, expos, and trade shows regionally, locally and closer to home. Check out your local trade organizations for more info on upcoming events and details.

What trade show or convention are you planning to attend in 2020?

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