The National Electrical Contractors Association's 2005 Convention and Trade Show NECA Convention, scheduled to be hosted in New Orleans this month, has been canceled due to the devastation Hurricane Katrina caused the city.
The NECA conference was scheduled to be held Sept. 17 - Sept. 20 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in downtown New Orleans. On Wednesday, Aug 31, however, the NECA Web site reported that the convention and trade show would be postponed due to the devastating hurricane and its destructive aftermath.
On Thursday, September 1, NECA announced on its Web site that the show was canceled and would not be rescheduled.
Katrina initially struck southeastern Louisiana on August 28 as a Category 4 storm with 140 mph winds. The hurricane was later downgraded to a still-major Category 3 storm. The storm left much of New Orleans flooded, its population stranded, dispersed or evacuated. Looting and violence plagued the flooded city in the days following the storm, and state officials said it would take years for New Orleans to recover.
"This was not an easy decision to make," NECA's statement said. "But based on the catastrophic condition of the city, the [NECA Executive Committee] determined this was the responsible course of action."
NECA also stated the following: "Registrants for NECA 2005 New Orleans do not need to cancel meeting registrations or hotel reservations made through NECA's convention housing service; this will be handled by NECA, and no charges will be assessed for any arrangements made through the housing service. Registrants should check with their airline for conditions regarding refunds for their New Orleans travel reservations.
"NECA is in the process of establishing refund procedures for NECA 2005 New Orleans participants. However, this is an unprecedented situation for the association, and it will require complex accounting procedures to track refunds, rollovers and reallocations. Please know that we are committed to doing so in a timely, fair, efficient, and accurate manner."
The association speaks for the $100 billion industry responsible for lighting, power, and communication systems in buildings and communities across the United States. NECA's national office and 120 local chapters advance the electrical contracting industry through advocacy, education, research, and standards development. NECA celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2001.
NECA is designed to enhance the industry through continuing education, labor relations, current information and promotional activities. It considers itself the voice of the electrical contracting industry, working to promote higher standards, quality workmanship and training for a skilled workforce.
Since its beginning as a small show in New York in 1954, the NECA Show has grown considerably. The show is designed to give attendees valuable insight on a wide array of electrical contracting management issues and tips on how to stay ahead of technology trends. It enables decision-makers from electrical contractor agencies to come face to face with manufacturers, utilities, consultants, engineers, and distributors across the nation.
NECA is based in Bethesda, MD. For more information visit www.necanet.org.