Highlights and Memories from the 40th IBEW International Convention
Several Local 11 delegates attended the historic 40th IBEW International Convention in Chicago from May 9 to May 13. They share their stories below.
I got to meet so many great young leaders within the RENEW. It was great to see the support young workers have from our International office.
It was also great to see such powerful woman in our union in great leadership roles at the Woman’s Caucus. At the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus, it was exciting to hear from IBEW legend Robbie Sparks and to experience all the tradition that comes with EWMC.
It felt surreal to be out on that convention floor outside the main delegates area. Seeing the opening ceremonies with such great performances was quite the spectacle. Once the convention really kicked off, it was great to see the business at hand. Seeing the same parliamentary procedures of Robert’s Rules of Order that we use here at home being used on such a grand scale was so cool to see.
I got to meet so many great young leaders within the RENEW. It was great to see the support young workers have from our International office.
It was also great to see such powerful woman in our union in great leadership roles at the Woman’s Caucus. At the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus, it was exciting to hear from IBEW legend Robbie Sparks and to experience all the tradition that comes with EWMC.
It felt surreal to be out on that convention floor outside the main delegates area. Seeing the opening ceremonies with such great performances was quite the spectacle. Once the convention really kicked off, it was great to see the business at hand. Seeing the same parliamentary procedures of Robert’s Rules of Order that we use here at home being used on such a grand scale was so cool to see.
Overall my experience was amazing. I look forward to attending more conferences of all kind to continue to learn and grow. I also hope to return to the convention in 2026 not just as a guest but a delegate as well. It was truly inspiring to be there at such an event. It was also touching to gain so many new brothers and sisters with whom I will definitely continue to stay in contact.
It was also great to see such powerful woman in our union in great leadership roles at the Woman’s Caucus. At the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus, it was exciting to hear from IBEW legend Robbie Sparks and to experience all the tradition that comes with EWMC.
It felt surreal to be out on that convention floor outside the main delegates area. Seeing the opening ceremonies with such great performances was quite the spectacle. Once the convention really kicked off, it was great to see the business at hand. Seeing the same parliamentary procedures of Robert’s Rules of Order that we use here at home being used on such a grand scale was so cool to see.
I got to meet so many great young leaders within the RENEW. It was great to see the support young workers have from our International office.
It was also great to see such powerful woman in our union in great leadership roles at the Woman’s Caucus. At the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus, it was exciting to hear from IBEW legend Robbie Sparks and to experience all the tradition that comes with EWMC.
It felt surreal to be out on that convention floor outside the main delegates area. Seeing the opening ceremonies with such great performances was quite the spectacle. Once the convention really kicked off, it was great to see the business at hand. Seeing the same parliamentary procedures of Robert’s Rules of Order that we use here at home being used on such a grand scale was so cool to see.
Overall my experience was amazing. I look forward to attending more conferences of all kind to continue to learn and grow. I also hope to return to the convention in 2026 not just as a guest but a delegate as well. It was truly inspiring to be there at such an event. It was also touching to gain so many new brothers and sisters with whom I will definitely continue to stay in contact.
The highlight of the week for me was hearing President Lonnie Stephenson’s opening remarks and his praise for Big John Harriel Jr. for all that he does to strengthen our union and build up the community. The fact that President Stephenson personally knew and called out a brother from Local 11 was awesome.
It was also great to experience the openness and availability of everyone in between events and after the daily sessions of resolutions and guest speakers. Obviously being in the same room as our current President was pretty special. Equally fun for me was cleaning up a park with our IBEW President’s wife, Dawn, who is a lot of fun. Pam, the organizer of this event from Local 134, was another great person to work with and run into throughout the week.
Seeing our own Areanna Tate do her thing as member of the International Office in DC was special too. I think she wins the overall ‘best dressed’ category as she had a many fantastic outfits and hats to wear at the various functions. Hearing from Robbie Sparks and seeing her daughter, Remy, in action was inspirational. They remind you that you are needed and capable of doing the good work that builds our union. The message from the IVP’s that we need to go home fired up and wake up our union brothers and sisters at home to take advantage of the time we are in as a nation with a pro-union President, a swell of union activism and a renewed interest in unions by the general public.
I feel fully-charged, optimistic and humble about my future career with IBEW and Local 11.
It was also great to experience the openness and availability of everyone in between events and after the daily sessions of resolutions and guest speakers. Obviously being in the same room as our current President was pretty special. Equally fun for me was cleaning up a park with our IBEW President’s wife, Dawn, who is a lot of fun. Pam, the organizer of this event from Local 134, was another great person to work with and run into throughout the week.
Seeing our own Areanna Tate do her thing as member of the International Office in DC was special too. I think she wins the overall ‘best dressed’ category as she had a many fantastic outfits and hats to wear at the various functions. Hearing from Robbie Sparks and seeing her daughter, Remy, in action was inspirational. They remind you that you are needed and capable of doing the good work that builds our union. The message from the IVP’s that we need to go home fired up and wake up our union brothers and sisters at home to take advantage of the time we are in as a nation with a pro-union President, a swell of union activism and a renewed interest in unions by the general public.
I feel fully-charged, optimistic and humble about my future career with IBEW and Local 11.
This conference was the best one ever.
Some of the highlights included President Lonnie Stevenson, in his keynote address, speaking on inclusion, growing the union and changing the constitution to include non-binary language and in the future we will see that change in language.
President Joe Biden showed up, the first time ever in history a sitting president has attended an IBEW convention.
We witnessed the historic appointment of Gina Cooper, as Fourth District International vice president, making her the first woman to serve as an international vice president in the IBEW’s history.
The IBEW is not “woke”; it is waking up to the world in which we live and working to be a positive force in the world.
Some of the highlights included President Lonnie Stevenson, in his keynote address, speaking on inclusion, growing the union and changing the constitution to include non-binary language and in the future we will see that change in language.
President Joe Biden showed up, the first time ever in history a sitting president has attended an IBEW convention.
We witnessed the historic appointment of Gina Cooper, as Fourth District International vice president, making her the first woman to serve as an international vice president in the IBEW’s history.
The IBEW is not “woke”; it is waking up to the world in which we live and working to be a positive force in the world.
I was privileged to attend the IBEW 40th International Convention as a guest. I want to thank Business Manager Joel Barton, the Local 11 Executive Board and the rank-and-file membership of Local 11 for the opportunity.
As a 45-year member who had never been privileged to previously attend, I was impressed at the level of professionalism shown by all in attendance.
Additionally, I was impressed by how Local 11 is held in high regard by other IBEW locals in terms of our representation and diversity.
The activities of the delegation were focused on diversity and inclusion and appropriate changes were It is a privilege and an honor to serve the members of Local 11.
As a 45-year member who had never been privileged to previously attend, I was impressed at the level of professionalism shown by all in attendance.
Additionally, I was impressed by how Local 11 is held in high regard by other IBEW locals in terms of our representation and diversity.
The activities of the delegation were focused on diversity and inclusion and appropriate changes were It is a privilege and an honor to serve the members of Local 11.
I attended the Pre-Convention Veteran Advisory Committee which is a part of the Affinity Groups that fall under the Civic and Community Engagement Department of the International. The Veteran Advisory Committee discussed ideas on a design for a Veterans Directory on the International website that would provide contacts to a variety of resources.
Additionally, we spent time discussing best practices to inform business managers within the 11 districts to consider the development of Veterans Committees coupled with promoting the Veteran Electrical Entry Program.
Additionally, we spent time discussing best practices to inform business managers within the 11 districts to consider the development of Veterans Committees coupled with promoting the Veteran Electrical Entry Program.
I was privileged to attend the IBEW 40th International Convention as a guest. I want to thank Business Manager Joel Barton, the Local 11 Executive Board and the rank-and-file membership of Local 11 for the opportunity.
As a 45-year member who had never been privileged to previously attend, I was impressed at the level of professionalism shown by all in attendance.
Additionally, I was impressed by how Local 11 is held in high regard by other IBEW locals in terms of our representation and diversity.
The activities of the delegation were focused on diversity and inclusion and appropriate changes were It is a privilege and an honor to serve the members of Local 11“The 40th International Convention in Chicago was titled “Lighting the Middle Class.” The convention started with a Day of Service in the city of Chicago during which IBEW electrical workers from the United States and Canada showed city that the IBEW cares about the surrounding community.
In the days that followed, we demonstrated that IBEW will light the pathway to the middle class by being at the forefront of new technology. This includes training IBEW electrical workers to install EV Car charging stations, battery installation systems, wind technology, broadband , electric buses and new transmission infrastructure all over the United States.
On the third day of the convention, President Joe Biden spoke to the IBEW delegates, marking the first time in the union’s history that a sitting president has attended our convention. He thanked IBEW President Lonnie Stephenson for helping him get into office by putting the membership into action to vote for him.
The future looks bright for IBEW. The president’s infrastructure bill, which includes millions of dollars worth of electrical work, will provide jobs to help IBEW Members forge a path to the middle class.
As a 45-year member who had never been privileged to previously attend, I was impressed at the level of professionalism shown by all in attendance.
Additionally, I was impressed by how Local 11 is held in high regard by other IBEW locals in terms of our representation and diversity.
The activities of the delegation were focused on diversity and inclusion and appropriate changes were It is a privilege and an honor to serve the members of Local 11“The 40th International Convention in Chicago was titled “Lighting the Middle Class.” The convention started with a Day of Service in the city of Chicago during which IBEW electrical workers from the United States and Canada showed city that the IBEW cares about the surrounding community.
In the days that followed, we demonstrated that IBEW will light the pathway to the middle class by being at the forefront of new technology. This includes training IBEW electrical workers to install EV Car charging stations, battery installation systems, wind technology, broadband , electric buses and new transmission infrastructure all over the United States.
On the third day of the convention, President Joe Biden spoke to the IBEW delegates, marking the first time in the union’s history that a sitting president has attended our convention. He thanked IBEW President Lonnie Stephenson for helping him get into office by putting the membership into action to vote for him.
The future looks bright for IBEW. The president’s infrastructure bill, which includes millions of dollars worth of electrical work, will provide jobs to help IBEW Members forge a path to the middle class.
