Powerful Tradition, Electrifying Future: illustrated booklet for the Washington, DC Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association

Just seven months before the dinner that was to celebrate the organization's one hundredth anniversary, the Washington, DC Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA-DC) asked HAI to produce a richly illustrated yet authoritative history for distribution to member contractors. Building upon expertise gained in writing a full-length history of the national organization, HAI performed documentary research in the records of NECA-DC, conducted interviews with select member contractors, and searched local libraries and archives to piece together the history of electrical contracting in Washington, DC, and to chronicle the activities of NECA-DC members.

The research had to be right, but the graphic content was equally important for producing a first-rate, well-designed publication. HAI obtained a wide variety of relevant photographs from the Library of Congress, local repositories, museums, electrical contractors, and stock photography agencies. An HAI photo editor worked with a professional graphic designer to ensure that the presentation of photos, sidebars, and biographical sketches told the NECA-DC story in an effective and engaging manner. In the end, HAI ensured that the 32-page Powerful Tradition, Electrifying Future met the client's expectations and was ready for the anniversary event. "The combination of written word and graphic presentation brought the history of electrical use, and the role of those in the electrical business in the Nation's Capital to life," observed NECA-DC's executive director.