Blog Article

Get Switched On

Date: 10th March 2014 | By: admin

The ECA today reports:
The Electric Event 2014 is the must-visit event of the year for anyone associated with the electrical industry. Taking place from 28-30 May at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Birmingham, the ECA’s groundbreaking experience brings together the annual ECA Electrical Industry Conference – a high-level annual business conference featuring a fantastic line-up of keynote speakers – alongside a Meet the Suppliers exhibition packed with key industry players, a range of highly-focused Technology Live technical workshops covering important industry developments, plus a glittering gala dinner and ECA Annual Awards ceremony.

The Electric Event returns to the Midlands following a highly successful inaugural show last year that drew visitors from across the UK and beyond.

The unique format of the event means that there is something for everyone, whatever size of business and whatever area of the electrical sector you’re working in. And, with so many key industry people attending, it also provides an unmissable networking opportunity.

The Electric Event is all about business and fresh thinking – delivering fresh insights on opportunities to grow your business, providing the latest updates on technological and legislative changes, and keying into the essentials for understanding and managing change and strengthening your business. At a time when the economy is finally starting to emerge from the deepest recession in living memory, it is crucial that your business is prepared – and equipped – for both the opportunities and risks that the recovery presents.

The Electric Event has been developed by the ECA in consultation with key industry partners to ensure that it provides an essential experience for visitors from both the electrical contracting sector and wider building services industry. Whether full conference delegates or day visitors to the exhibition and workshop strands of the show, fresh ideas to get you thinking are guaranteed.

Day One – Wednesday 28 May
ECA Electrical Industry Conference 2014
The ECA Electrical Industry Conference will see keynote speakers from both within the electrical industry and beyond sharing their expertise and insights, delivering informative presentations and thought-provoking opinions from a variety of perspectives. They will provide delegates with detailed analysis of the marketplace, identifying both key areas of potential growth and business opportunities for switched-on electrical contractors, while communicating essential information of which everyone in the sector should be aware.

This year, the conference begins on the evening of the first day with a social networking event for delegates and partners, including a reception at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, followed by an informal evening at the Birmingham Council House, with live entertainment included.

Day Two – Thursday 29 May
Technology Live workshops and Meet the Suppliers exhibition
The Technology Live workshops and the Meet the Suppliers exhibition are open to delegates attending day two only as well as full conference delegates.

Technology Live is an ideal opportunity for electrical contractors, consultants, designers and specifiers to hear directly from leading industry manufacturers about their latest products and innovations.

This year, there are four workshop streams available, with a timetable that offers delegates maximum flexibility in choosing what to attend. These are:

■ Lighting and lighting controls
■ Power distribution, controls and automation
■ Energy solutions, renewables and microgeneration
■ Fire, security, emergency lighting and data controls

The Meet the Suppliers exhibition will run throughout the day, offering visitors the opportunity to talk with key members of the supply chain and get hands-on demonstrations of the latest equipment and services. With dozens of exhibitors showing their gear, it’s an ideal forum for electrical contractors and suppliers.

Day Three – Friday 30 May
ECA Electrical Industry Conference 2014

Gala Dinner and ECA Annual Awards 2014 presentation

The third day of The Electric Event begins with an opening address from ECA group chief executive officer Steve Bratt, followed by the traditional inauguration ceremony for the new ECA President for 2014-2015, Andy Basham.

The day proceeds with a series of keynote speakers from the electrical industry and beyond, covering key topics in detail and providing stimulating insights into areas of opportunity for new business. Among those addressing delegates will be Dr Noble Francis, economics director of the Construction Products Association, who will be outlining ‘The opportunities and risks associated with recovery’.

The presentation from Professor Rudi Klein, chief executive of the Specialist Engineering Contractors’ (SEC) Group, will look at ‘Identifying and dealing with payment/contractual risks’.

From a broader perspective, Paul Kavanagh, CEO of Imtech UK will be delivering a presentation relevant to every business in the building services sector: ‘An integrator’s view on surviving the recovery– considerations for BES contractors’. Paul Reeve, ECA director of business services, will deliver another important presentation exploring how contractors should navigate the upturn, entitled ‘Managing the recovery; key considerations for contractors’.

The guest speaker for the first day is TV presenter Clare Balding OBE, who promises a thoughtful and inspirational end to the business side of the conference.

ECA Annual Awards 2014 presentation and Gala Dinner
On the Friday evening the ECA Electrical Industry Conference comes to a close with the presentation of the ECA Annual Awards 2014 at a glittering black-tie Gala Dinner.

These awards acknowledge and reward the very best in the electrical contracting industry and recognise the excellence, innovation and best practice of ECA registered members in the electrical and electronic business services engineering sector.

The seven awards for the inaugural presentation this year include:
■ ECA Large Contractor of the Year Award
(sponsored by Schneider Electric);
■ ECA Medium Sized Contractor of the Year Award
(sponsored by Hager);
■ ECA Small Sized Contractor of the Year Award
(sponsored by Edmundson Electrical);
■ Best Client/Contractor Partnership Award
(sponsored by ECIC);
■ Innovation in Contracting Award
(sponsored by Newey & Eyre);
■ Best Electrical Safety Initiative
(sponsored by the Electrical Safety Council); and
■ ECA Commitment to Training and Development Award
(sponsor TBC).

The winners will be selected by an independent judging panel of leading industry figures, representing different areas of expertise and interest. See right for details of how to submit entries for the awards.

The evening will be hosted by master after-dinner speaker Gyles Brandreth, TV personality, former MP and journalist, who is guaranteed to raise eyebrows and laughter with anecdotes from his long, varied and interesting career.
As well as an enjoyable social event, the ECA Annual Awards and Gala Dinner make great business sense, too. Those attending will have the opportunity to network with fellow ECA members, other electrical and electronic systems installers, main contractors, representatives from government departments, manufacturers, wholesalers and industry professionals.

So make sure you’re switched on, and book now for the electrical industry event of the year.