Agenda

Monday, September 28

  • 7:30am - 5:30pm
    Registration Open
  • 7:30am - 2:30pm
    Golf Tournament (9am Shotgun Start)

    Harborside International Golf Center

    Port Course

    9:00 am Shotgun Start

    7:30 am - Bus Departure

    8:00 am - Registration, Breakfast & Warm-Up

    Estimated Return: 2:30 pm

    The Port Course at Harborside International Golf Center stands as one of Chicago’s premier golf destinations - and one of the most distinctive courses you’ll play anywhere in the country.

    Designed by Dick Nugent and built on a former industrial landfill on Chicago's south side, the Port Course is a testament to bold transformation - a rugged, links-style layout that converts what was once part of the city's industrial footprint into 7,100-plus yards of championship golf. Consistently ranked among the top public courses in Illinois by Golf Digest and Golfweek, it features sweeping manmade dunes, punishing fescue rough, relentless wind off Lake Calumet, and large, fast greens that make every putt an adventure.

    Don’t miss the signature par-3 15th - the “Anchor Hole” - named for its giant anchor-shaped sand bunker surrounding the green, or the demanding closing stretch along the harbor waters where a wayward shot will end up in the water.

    Come play a course that embodies the city's spirit: built from nothing, endlessly challenging, and impossible to forget.

  • 8:00am - 5:00pm
    Exhibitor Move-In
  • 3:00pm - 5:00pm
    United In Deed
     

  • 5:30pm - 6:30pm
    First Time Attendee Reception
  • 6:30pm - 8:30pm
    Welcome Dinner Reception

    We kickoff with a grand welcome to the city that helped build modern America. Chicago is where steel, rail, and sky-high ambition came together - and where the first skyscrapers made vertical transportation essential. For the elevator and escalator industry, this city isn’t just a convention stop. It’s home turf.

    Join us for the NAEC Welcome Reception at the newly renovated Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. We’ll celebrate the city that put elevators and escalators on the map. Expect a bold evening: classic Chicago food, craft cocktails, and an atmosphere that mixes industrial history with Midwestern warmth.

    Whether you’re catching up with longtime colleagues or building new connections, this is the perfect way to kick off the week. Chicago is ready for you. We’ll see you there.

Tuesday, September 29

Wednesday, September 30

Thursday, October 1

  • 7:30am - 1:00pm
    Registration Open
  • 9:00am - 1:00pm
    Exhibits Open
  • 10:00am - 11:00am
    Education Session (5)

    Presentation Title: Turkish Elevator Industry

    Presentation Description: With more than 250 manufacturer companies Türkiye is one of the biggest elevator and escalator suppliers in the world. Due to geographical advantages with labor and energy cost manufacturing and shipping is very convenient for local elevator companies. Türkiye's relatively low tax rates provided a competitive advantage in some industries during the custom tariffs crisis created by Trump. This situation is creating many advantages for US and Turkish companies also. The aim of presentation to explain this advantages.

    Speakers: Bulent Yilmaz, Devrim Gecegezer, T.Bruce MacKinnon -Elevator World 

    Bios: 

    Bulent Yilmaz is Managing Director of Elevator World at Europe, Asia and MENA who is managing Elevator World Türkiye, Elevator World Europe and Elevator World Middle East from 2014. He is representing world biggest fair interlift at Türkiye and MENA region during 7 years. Representing The Elevator Show Dubai fair with Elevator World Inc. and AFAG. He is steering committee member of  International Elevator and Escalator Symposium (IEES).

    Bulent_Yilmaz.jpeg

    Devrim Gecegezer is founder and chief technical director at GENEMEK, specializing in industrial electronics and electromechanical product design and manufacturing, with particular expertise in elevator systems. He has served as design technician for İnter Mühendislik and R&D technician for PENTA Telecommunications. Prior to founding his own company, he gained extensive experience in the telecommunications and engineering sectors, developing specialized solutions for industrial applications. Gecegezer holds a degree in Business Administration from Anadolu University Eskişehir, and completed his technical education at Marmara University Technical Sciences Electronics-Computer Vocational School, building upon his foundational training from Haydarpaşa Industrial Vocational High School as an Electronics Technician.

    Devrim.jpeg

    T. Bruce MacKinnon is president and CEO of Elevator World, Inc., (EW) the global publisher for the vertical-transportation industry. He takes great pride in continuing the vision of his grandfather, Elevator World founder William C. Sturgeon, who saw Elevator World as the nucleus and main communicator for the industry, while providing it a worldwide marketing platform. Established in 1953, Elevator World is longest running publication for the global industry. MacKinnon has expanded Elevator World through partnerships and new product launches over the past 25 years. The company has a combined global reach of more than 50,000 readers through its print and digital media. 

    T.jpeg

  • 10:00am - 11:00am
    Education Session
  • 11:30am - 12:30pm
    Education Session (4)
  • 11:30am - 12:30pm
    Education Session (6)
  • 1:00pm - 2:00pm
    Education Session (3)
  • 1:00pm - 2:00pm
    Education Session (2)
  • 1:01pm - 9:00pm
    Exhibitor Move-Out
  • 1:15pm - 2:30pm
    Awards Lunch

    The NAEC Awards Lunch is the grand finale of this year’s Convention and Expo in Chicago. Come celebrate over a full plated lunch.

    We’ll honor this year’s standout winners including the best exhibit booths, the President’s Award, and the William C. Sturgeon Distinguished Service Award. It’s a moment to pause and recognize the people and organizations who make this industry great.

    We’ll also mark an important transition as our outgoing and incoming NAEC presidents share their reflections and vision, and we welcome the newly elected board of directors. Pull up a seat, enjoy a great meal, and end the expo the right way - with great company, proud recognition, and a renewed sense of what this industry stands for.

  • 7:00pm - 9:30pm
    Dregs Party

    The legendary Dregs Party is back - and this year, Chicago is delivering.

    This beloved NAEC tradition returns with a setting that fits the occasion: the banks of Lake Michigan, with one of the world’s great waterfronts as your backdrop. Great food, great drinks, live music, and a few surprises we’re not ready to reveal just yet - let’s just say this year’s Dregs Party is one you won’t want to miss.

    Relive the week’s best moments, make plans you’ll actually follow through on, or simply let loose with the best people in the business. This is how NAEC goes out - with Chicago energy, lakeside.

    Because at the Dregs Party, the best moments always happen last.

Friday, October 2