June 10, 2013 - The Industry Data Exchange Association Inc. (IDEA) has established an Innovation Advisory Council comprising “thought leaders” in the electrical wholesale distribution space from distributor and manufacturer companies. The council’s initial focus is on ways to enhance manufacturer product content available to distributors through the Industry Data Warehouse (IDW).

May 6, 2013 - The National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) has announced several enhancements to its web-based learning management system, such as new content, a rating and comment section, enhanced assignment capabilities and streaming video for improved user experience. Branch Management University (BMU) and EPEC Lighting programs are two brand new programs that have recently been added to the NAED Learning Center. BMU is a three-level training program to help managers meet branch goals and become better leaders, while EPEC Lighting is the first NAED EPEC level that focuses on one specific product line that is targeted to the lighting professional. New content has also been added to the VIP Access Core, Sales, and Leadership subscription programs to better address the development needs of industry associates in areas such as time management, presentations and stress management, adds NAED. Students of the Voice-Data-Video (VDV) course for electrical distribution and the new Selling & Communicating to All Generations courses can now view the program on a tablet.

May 6, 2013 - General Cable has announced it has reached IDEA’s (The Industry Data Exchange Association’s) Platinum Band, describing it as the “most prestigious level of IDEA’s Bands of Excellence program”.

February 11, 2013 - Partnering with the likes of Electro-Federation Canada (EFC), the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) and National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) in the U.S. announced the availability of new research on how the electrical distribution and contracting industry uses technology.

February 4, 2013 - The National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) recognizes the support of Legrand for its contribution of $25,000 to the NAED Education & Research Foundation.

January 28, 2013 - The National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED in the States) recognized the support of Lutron for its contributions to the NAED Education & Research Foundation.

December 19, 2012 - Universal Lighting Technologies has reached IDEA’s (The Industry Data Exchange Association’s) Platinum Band, the “most prestigious level of IDEA’s Bands of Excellence program”, it said.

October 1, 2012 - The French counterpart of the National Association of Electrical Distributors’ (NAED) electrical product Bronze Level education course (EPEC) is now available.

September 10, 2012 - The National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) unveiled a new look and format for Branch Management University, an online education portal helping students operate “profitable, engaging and productive businesses”. “From rallying sales to managing employee and customer relationships, branch managers are expected to wear many hats,” said Michelle McNamara, NAED senior vice-president and executive director of the NAED Education & Research Foundation. BMU focuses on strengthening management skills in four areas: customers, operations, financials and employees. The updated format builds on these areas, featuring: a formal position-based curriculum organized into core and elective courses at the 100, 200 and 300 levels; three new courses on business ethics, sexual harassment and financial decision making; two-day training bootcamps led by industry experts; access to relevant industry news and features; and easy online enrolment forms.

May 31, 2012 - IDEA (a B2B technology service provider owned by the electrical industry) says registration is now open for the 14th annual IDEA E-Biz Forum—an eBusiness event dedicated to business-to-business leaders in the electrical supply chain.