Ann Arbor destination announces five-year NTI commitment

The Electrical Training Alliance has committed to a five-year contract with the Ann Arbor area to continue hosting the annual National Training Institute (NTI), according to an announcement from Destination Ann Arbor.

NTI brings together thousands of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers members, including educators, training directors and contractors, for a week-long series of classes, workshops and social events. “Training is about people, vendors and the people who train them,” said Al Snow, director of sales and service for Ann Arbor Destination.

Staff distribute training to classrooms at Washtenaw Community College (WCC) and facilities at Eastern Michigan University (EMU). In addition to the educational aspect, approximately 2,000 attendees (often bringing their families along) attend opening ceremonies; welcome receptions; trade shows; a block party involving many downtown businesses and local residents, including live music, food, and games; Charity golf events; clay shooting sports; and other events. Destination Ann Arbor helps support these events.

The 34-year-old NTI has been held in Ann Arbor since 2009, said Tim Strickland, director of operations for NTI in Louisville, Tenn. “Ann Arbor has always been a great town for us,” he said. “Washington state has been a big supporter of ours, and the people of Ann Arbor — not just the people involved in the CVB (Ann Arbor Destination), but the residents there — have been very receptive and they’ve been out on the street showing us Thanks for coming to Ann Arbor.”

Snow said it could help local leaders, hotels, restaurants, attractions and others better shape long-term contracts. “We like the fact that we can plan five years and know that the Main Street Association knows exactly when the block party is going to be…and the whole city knows when they’re going to be here,” he explained. “Restaurants and hotels know we can block these dates.” Snow also noted that WCC and EMU can also plan for the summer and classroom space more easily because of the advance notice.

Snow noted that NTI is actually one of five training sessions held in Ann Arbor each summer by national and international unions, which the Ann Arbor Visitors Bureau facilitates. Together, they have an estimated $20 million impact on the Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County economies. The largest is the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters training events, which typically have 3,000 participants. Other groups holding meetings in the city include the International Association of Plasterers and Cement Masons; the International Union of Bridge, Structural, Decorative and Reinforcement Steel Workers; and the United Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers.

Snow said the training facility and the cooperation and support from WCC and EMU made all the difference. “WCC really goes above and beyond to configure the entire campus to make it easy for these groups to run training programs,” he said. This was not lost on Strickland.

“We love the city of Ann Arbor, the Washtenaw Community Area and Ypsilanti,” Strickland said. “This is a great place to hold an event.” The next NTI is scheduled for July 26 to August 26. January 2025.

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