NAED Cancels Western Region Conference

Due to an extremely strong surge in COVID-19 cases over the past few weeks, the National Association of Electrical Distributors is cancelling the in-person Western Region Conference, which was scheduled for January 17-19 in Palm Desert, CA.

Many attendees wanted to have face-to-face meetings at the Western and will be disappointed that we must cancel. Based on the best information we have at this time from the hotel, city of Palm Desert, and state of California, plus member feedback, we must make health and safety a priority at this time.

As a result of this cancellation, NAED is offering two options:

• NAED will create virtual meetings for distributors and manufacturers next week. This will allow companies that registered for the Western Region Conference the opportunity to keep appointments and meet with partners in a structured environment much like the scheduled events held at the Western Region Conference. Details on registration for the virtual meetings will be sent to attendees in the next 24 hours. Because of the support of NAED’s Corporate Partners, which include ABB, Atkore, Eaton, Legrand, Schneider Electric, Siemens, and Zekelman Industries, there is no fee for the virtual meetings. Current registrants do not need to take any action to participate in the virtual event, more details will be shared shortly.
• For companies and people who still want to meet in-person, NAED is inviting Western Region Conference attendees to the South Central Region Conference, which is scheduled for February 21-23 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, AZ. Space at the host hotel may be limited, but NAED will do whatever is necessary to secure as many rooms at the resort as possible. Rooms will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Current registrants who want to transfer their registration to this conference should send an email to westernregionreg@naed.org by 6pm TODAY (Jan. 12, 2022).

Refunds for the Western Conference Registration Fee will be processed over the next 7 days. NAED will cancel all hotel rooms for attendees by noon Central Time on Thursday, January 13. If you want to keep your hotel reservation, you can contact the hotel directly at (760) 341-2211.

If you have questions about your Western Region Conference registration, you can contact NAED’s Member Engagement team by e-mail at memberengagement@naed.org.