This year, NECA turns 125 years old, and I could not be prouder of what this milestone represents. Since 1901, our association has stood beside electrical contractors through every era of change: from the electrification of American cities to the rise of automation, renewable energy and the smart buildings of today. Through it all, one thing has never wavered: the dedication of the men and women who make up this industry, who show up every day to do the work that powers our nation.

Anniversaries like this one invite reflection, and rightly so. We should take pride in the generations of contractors, apprentices, engineers and staff members who built NECA into what it is today. But an anniversary is also a moment to look forward, and I have never felt more energized about where our industry is headed. Demand for skilled electrical work is surging, driven by data centers, electric vehicles, grid modernization and a renewed national focus on infrastructure. The opportunities ahead of us are enormous, and NECA is committed to making sure our members are ready to meet them.

That commitment is exactly why I am so excited for NECA 2026 Las Vegas, our convention and trade show, taking place Oct. 4-7. This year’s event will be one of the largest and most significant gatherings in our association’s history, and there is no better place to celebrate 125 years of progress than on the floor of the electrical industry’s premier show. We are bringing together contractors, manufacturers, skilled tradespeople, innovators and thought leaders from across the country for four days of education, connection and celebration.

NECA 2026 Las Vegas will feature the products and technology shaping the future of our trade, hands-on demonstrations and countless opportunities to build relationships that will carry your business forward for years to come. We will also take time throughout the week to honor our history and the people who made this milestone possible, while keeping our eyes firmly on what comes next.

Our vision is clear: a growing, sustainable industry and workforce ready to power the nation’s future. Our mission is to support and advance the interests of our members and the electrical contracting industry. Those principles have carried us for 125 years, and they will carry us for the next 125.

I want to thank NECA’s member contractors, chapters, executive committee members, staff members and industry partners for the work they do every day and for being part of this incredible legacy. 

I look forward to celebrating this milestone with everyone this October in Las Vegas.

Here’s to 125 years of powering progress and to many more ahead.

Mark Walter
President, NECA