Committees
Public Relations & Communications
The mandate of the Public Relations & Communications committee of the Electrical Contractors Association of Ontario is:
- to develop internal/external communications strategies for ECAO
- to organize social/educational functions of ECAO
- to plan, produce and maintain communications vehicles to the membership
- to develop, promote and administer member recognition awards
The Public Relations committee is responsible for maintaining communications between ECAO, its members and the public. It is also responsible for the development, promotion and administration of industry recognition awards. The PR committee has welcomed a new member – Bob Lawday, representing the Associate Member category. Thanks to retiring committee members Robert Steven, Corrol Technologies and George Boals, Seymour & Boals for their past participation.
Electronic Communication/Web Development
ECAO continues to use its website as the primary source of information for members. New this year will be a “Frequently Asked Questions” section or “FAQ” which will provide information for members, staff and the general public. Questions may be posed by web users which will then be answered by ECAO staff and added to the databank for future reference by others.
The “Find a Contractor” section continues to be a primary target within the ECAO website and is an important marketing strategy for the members, particularly those that do not yet have their own website. It is also the focus of promotion efforts by ECAO at tradeshows such as PM Expo held in early December and the Springfest show held in April every year.
ECAO continues to promote the use of electronic communication to its members where possible. Electronic communication reduces the costs associated with communicating timely information to the membership and allows ECAO to make the best use of valuable resources. ECAO has drastically increased its email penetration over the past year and is currently at 88%. ECAO has also begun to distribute its E-Newsletter which will complement hard copy mailings.
Annual Meeting/Industry Conference
ECAO is hosting the CECA 2007 National Industry Conference & Product Exposition this year in Ottawa, Ontario. With a theme of “Change is Good!” the conference will also feature a tradeshow component which will be held every three years in conjunction with ECAO’s conferences when held in Ontario. ECAO is looking to Europe for 2008 and will be choosing between Portugal and Spain. Details will be revealed during the Ottawa conference in June.
Member Recognition
ECAO’s Scholarship Program, which began in 2005, is open to children of ECAO members or employees enrolled in a post-secondary institution. Preference is given to those entering into a field of study related to the construction industry. The winner of the 2006 Scholarship Award was Kristy Berg (Aecon Industrial) from Cambridge. The Public Relations Committee has added another scholarship for 2007 providing ECAO members with two chances to win.
The Public Relations committee continues to administer the Douglas J. B. Wright Award in recognition of ECAO members or employees who have made a significant contribution to the electrical contracting industry. ECAO is pleased to announce that David Mason, D. J. Mason Electric was the 2006 recipient. ECAO also recognizes those member companies with exemplary safety records through the R. H. Carroll Safety Awards. Congratulations to Black & McDonald, BML Multi Trades Group, Lockerbie & Hole Eastern and Vollmer & Associates for their 2006 win.