In the Electrical Building Design Show, I share insights and updates from the world of electrical design. Today, I want to reflect on my experience as an exhibitor at the NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association) Convention in September 2024. This was my first time attending NECA as a vendor, and while the event is primarily geared toward contractors, I learned quite a bit about the industry and how it intersects with electrical design.
Why Attend NECA?
We provide electrical design software for Revit, so attending NECA, a conference focused on contractors, felt like stepping somewhat outside our usual market. Still, it seemed like a good opportunity to connect with the design-build community and learn more about contractor needs, and that ultimately was the reason we went. The event itself was packed with many innovations, tools, and solutions designed for contractors. From prefabrication technologies to virtual design and construction (VDC) tools, there was a large amount of inspiration on the show floor.
Discovering the Realities of Design-Build
A key takeaway from NECA 2024 was a better understanding of how design-build contractors operate. Many visitors stopped by our booth and identified themselves as part of design-build firms, but the majority revealed that they outsource their design work to external engineers. While their marketing may present them as offering in-house design capabilities, in practice, they rely on external engineering firms for the design portion of their projects.
This model works well for contractors, but it posed a challenge for us. Since our software is tailored for electrical design within Revit, we found ourselves needing to connect with the engineers these contractors outsource to, rather than the contractors themselves.
The Design-Bid vs. Design-Build Pendulum
Another observation from the event was the cyclical nature of the industry’s preference between design-bid and design-build project models. This ongoing pendulum swing reflects how the industry constantly evaluates which method offers more efficiency and productivity.
For electrical engineers, this shifting preference underscores the importance of building strong relationships with both architects and contractors. Regardless of whether the market favors design-bid or design-build, engineers remain integral to the process, albeit with changing collaborators.
Understanding BIM vs. VDC
A recurring point of confusion I encountered was contractors mixing Building Information Modeling (BIM) with Virtual Design Construction (VDC). While BIM focuses on creating and managing digital representations of a building’s physical and functional characteristics, VDC involves using BIM to plan and optimize construction processes, including prefabrication. For electrical engineers, this distinction is crucial when communicating with contractors. When contractors say “BIM,” they are often referring to the construction-oriented processes under the VDC umbrella. This difference in understanding can lead to misaligned expectations.
For Electrical Engineers Considering NECA 2025
Attending NECA 2024 provided me with valuable insights into the contractor-driven side of the electrical industry. From the evolving dynamics of design-build projects to the distinction between BIM and VDC, it was a chance to better understand the challenges and opportunities in the field. While it was not the ideal venue for showcasing our Revit-based design tools, the experience will certainly shape our approach to engaging with contractors and engineers in the future.
If you are an electrical engineer or work in related fields, I encourage you to attend NECA at least once to explore the broader industry landscape and connect with manufacturers. And for those of us in software and design tools, this experience serves as a reminder to stay aligned with the specific needs of our target audience.
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