2025 NECA Now Conference

Earlier this month, our very own Human Resources Director, Kelsey Freire, had the incredible opportunity to spend three days in sunny Hollywood, Florida, attending the 2025 NECA Now Leadership and Personal Development Conference. This annual event brings together industry leaders from across the country for a few days of learning, growth, and meaningful connection—and this year certainly did not disappoint.

Empowering Women in the Industry

Kelsey began her experience by attending the Women in NECA session, where she connected with a dynamic and inspiring group of women professionals and thought leaders. A standout moment from the session was the engaging presentation and workshops led by Dr. Deb Manzo, who facilitated a powerful discussion on evaluating where your company stands today—and where it’s headed next. Centered around the SOAR framework (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Results), the session sparked fresh ideas for collaboration and innovation, setting a forward-thinking tone for the days ahead.

One takeaway that particularly resonated during the women panel discussion was this:

"Become the mentor you wish you had."

This simple but powerful reminder encourages all of us to think about how we support and guide new employees—especially those just beginning their careers. It’s about giving back, sharing wisdom, and showing up as the kind of leader we once needed.

Deep Dives and Development

Day Two was packed events starting with a engaging and interactive keynote speaker, David Meade on Powerful Persuasion followed by breakout sessions focused on the evolving needs of today’s workforce. Kelsey attended several powerful classes including:

Stress Management 101 – Practical strategies for recognizing and reducing stress in ourselves and our teams.
Building a Highly Functional Team – Insights on creating stronger collaboration and trust in the workplace.
Retaining This Generation’s Best Talent – A deep dive into what truly engages and retains today’s emerging workforce.
Managing Organizational Change – Tools for navigating the ever-evolving business with resilience and purpose.

Facing Industry Challenges and Creating Culture

Day Three shifted the focus toward long-term industry sustainability and leadership presence.

In Navigating the Trade Workforce Dilemma, attendees confronted a critical issue: as of December 2024, there were over 165,000 construction job openings in the U.S., and nearly 1 in 4 current workers in the industry are age 55 or older, rapidly approaching retirement. This eye-opening session highlighted the urgency of attracting and developing new talent to ensure a strong future for the trades.

Kelsey also participated in:

Speaking with Confidence – A skill-building session designed to elevate personal presence and communication in leadership roles.
Building a Company Culture as an Electrical Company – A thoughtful look at what it means to foster a workplace culture that reflects your values, inspires your team, and drives business success.

Looking Ahead

We’re proud to support our team’s professional growth and are excited about the insights Kelsey gained from NECA Now 2025.

We look forward to Kelsey bringing her learnings back to the team both in and out of the field—sparking fresh ideas, sharing new strategies, and continuing to shape a workplace where people can grow, lead, and thrive. These kinds of experiences are how we stay ahead, stay inspired, and stay united in our commitment to empowering the future.