Preparing to Power Tomorrow, Today at NEMRA26!

February, 2026

The National Electrical Manufacturers Representatives Association (NEMRA) concluded its 2026 Annual Conference in Orlando on February 11, 2026. One of the largest U.S. gatherings of independent sales representatives and electrical manufacturers, this year’s event brought together industry leaders from across the country under the theme “Power Tomorrow, Today.” This year, the conference broadened its reach to include electrical distribution professionals.

NEMRA26 equipped suppliers and sales representatives to navigate a rapidly evolving electrical industry through innovation, collaboration, and forward-thinking strategies. CANTEX proudly returned as a gold-level sponsor for NEMRA26, reaffirming its commitment to driving industry growth.

While the in-person conference took place at the Orlando World Center Marriott, large-group supplier presentations were conducted virtually in January. More than 150 CANTEX sales representatives participated in the CANTEX virtual session, which focused largely on emerging technologies, shifting energy demands, and new market opportunities driven by unprecedented investment in electrical infrastructure.

Dave Milius, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at CANTEX, spoke about key performance and strategic growth initiatives launched by CANTEX in 2025. One major strategy underway is a $120 million investment in a new 350,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Nashville, designed to expand production capacity and meet the growing demand for PVC electrical products. CANTEX is also upgrading existing plants to boost efficiency and service. Additional investments include an improved ERP system, enhanced product development, AI-driven marketing, and upgraded product data to better support distributors.

“Together, these strategic investments reinforce CANTEX’s mission to help power tomorrow’s electrical demands—today—while delivering the quality, reliability, and service our customers depend on,” explained Milius.

Milius also outlined CANTEX’s strategic priorities for 2026, including sharpening the focus on the company’s unique strengths, developing targeted strategies to capture utility market opportunities, and pursuing large-scale projects in emerging markets. With demand expected to surge, Milius emphasized the importance of preemptive capacity planning to stay ahead of market needs and effectively manage potential demand-driven delays. He underscored CANTEX’s strong brand reputation and unmatched position as the only full-line provider of PVC electrical products as key competitive advantages. Milius also highlighted the importance of deepening industry relationships through active engagement in electrical trade association programs.

At the NEMRA26 in-person conference in Orlando, manufacturers met with sales representatives for business meetings and one-on-one sessions. Teams reviewed 2025 results, discussed 2026 projections, and aligned year-end strategies. While the outlook is positive, many CANTEX sale agents expressed concern about meeting the expected surge in PVC electrical product demand in 2026.

This year’s conference also featured several keynote speakers who addressed topics designed to equip manufacturers and representatives with the tools and insights needed to lead the electrical industry into the future—starting today. These seminars addressed how artificial intelligence and data management can be integrated into rep and manufacturer operations. They also shared insights into strengthening distributor and contractor channels and targeting the data center market.

“Artificial intelligence, accelerating innovation, and shifting market dynamics are reshaping the electrical infrastructure industry at an unprecedented speed,” explained Milius. “NEMRA26 served as a dynamic platform to examine these forces, share forward-looking insights, and position our industry to lead with confidence while capitalizing on the opportunities ahead,” he added.