Heard at the 2015 NEMRA Conference

The National Electrical Manufacturers Representatives Association (NEMRA) enjoyed record attendance for last week’s annual conference at the Hilton Bayfront in San Diego. The meeting drew over 1,800 attendees — a big increase over the 1,000 attendees at the conference in New York five years ago.

Some industry road warriors knew their way around the Hilton pretty well — the NAED Western Conference finished up a few days before NEMRA kicked off. NEMRA President Ken Hooper said his association had already outgrown the hotel and would be moving to the Marriott Marquis when it returns to San Diego in 2018. Ken also told EM the association will be offering an exciting new training venture in the NEMRA Institute for Sales Training through the Wharton Business School in Philadelphia. Details to follow on that.

Business has gotten off to a bit of a slow start for many attendees with whom EM spoke, with a distinct softness in the oil patch. Across the country, one Baltimore rep said business has been tough over the last year due to several contractor bankruptcies.

While Baltimore is climbing back from a rough patch, one Philadelphia rep said his market is looking very solid for 2015 and a Bay Area rep said new office construction and mass transit projects are keeping him real busy. Next year’s NEMRA will be held Feb. 3-6 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas.