BETHESDA, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The 2016 National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Convention & Trade Show spotlights an industry transformation spiked by rapidly changing building systems in a $130 billion market.

Running October 7-10 in Boston, thefree trade show’s 300 exhibitors demonstrate the surge in Integrated Systems Contractors (ISCs) – the 70 percent of the nation’s electrical contractors now involved in low-voltage work including lighting controls, communications, security, fire/life safety, energy management and other automated building systems. This year’s exhibitors also include a boost in energy efficiency, lighting and controls, renewables and energy storage.

Recent Boston area projects demonstrating the ISC trend include theEdward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate, the MIT Sloan Building Renovation in Cambridge, the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) solar rooftop system at the Charleston Navy Yard and the LogMeIn Expansion in Seaport.

“As electrical contractors’ roles grow and skilled talent decreases, it’s critical to equip them with the latest training, products, education, free workshops and networking in one place,” said NECA President David A. Hardt, president, Hardt Electric Inc., Chicago, Illinois.

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR magazine’s latest independent research shows that 70 percent of ECs now perform design/build work, 70 percent make system and brand decisions and 80 percent report a high or medium influence on overall electrical design.

Headliner speakers, programs and special events at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center include:

• Annual Green Energy Challenge: Friday, Oct. 7, 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
  14 NECA student chapters compete to design an energy upgrade to a K-12 school facility, including a small-scale PV system
• Presidential Historian/Author Doris Kearns Goodwin: Saturday, Oct. 8, 10:15 a.m.
  In an election year, the Pulitzer Prize winner opens the general session
• Former Boston Police Chief Daniel Linskey: Sunday, Oct. 9, 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
  The chief discusses leadership during the 2013 Boston Marathon attacks
• Technology Trailblazer Mick Ebeling: Monday, Oct. 10, 1:15 p.m.
  CEO of Not Impossible Labs that invented the EyeWriter develops creative solutions for real-world problems
• 2016 Showstopper Awards: ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR magazine’s showcase honors the products and services that demonstrate the most ingenuity
• Women in NECA (WIN) Roundtable: Sunday, Oct. 9, 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
  A collaborative forum to support and help recruit more women in the industry
• 18 Free Technical Workshops: Manufacturers and distributors present diverse topics
• New Energy Solutions educational track
• New Executive Leadership track with seven sessions
• Pre-conference workshops
• Boston Pops Swing Orchestra: Monday, Oct. 10, 8:00 p.m.

NECA 2016 is open to all electrical professionals, including non-members. Details: See the full convention schedule. Free admission: Go to Attendee Registration and use code FREE16.

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), is the voice of the $130 billion electrical construction industry that brings power, light and communication technology to buildings and communities across the U.S. Contact: (301)215-4506 / Website: http://www.necaconvention.org/ / Twitter: @NECANet.