International President Lonnie R. Stephenson closed the 40th IBEW International Convention in Chicago on May 13, an historic occasion marked by a visit from the sitting president of the United States and the election of the first woman to international office.

The Convention was a celebration of working-class power. Delegates took stock of a string of political, organizing, and public relations victories that have opened extraordinary possibilities for the brotherhood.

Day after day, there were reminders of the importance of taking challenges head-on, the rewards for working families when their efforts succeed and the steep costs when they fail.

It was also a time to rebuild bonds that had been stretched thin by the years-long public health crisis brought on by COVID-19.

The Convention began with a weekend of volunteering and good times.

A day of service brought hundreds of IBEW brothers and sisters to clean up parks around the city and a picnic and concert brought everyone to the iconic Soldier Field on the Lake Michigan waterfront and nearby Wintrust Arena.

Over the weekend prior to the Convention, the RENEW/NextGen, Government Affairs, Women's and Electrical Workers Minority Caucuses held their meetings. They shared ideas, networked and set ambitious goals for expanding the IBEW and increasing members' influence on policies that affect working people.

On May 9, the work of the Convention began in earnest. The leadership team of Stephenson, International Secretary-Treasurer Kenneth Cooper and International Executive Council Chairman and New York Local 3 Business Manager Chris Erikson were all returned to office by acclamation of the nearly 2,000 delegates.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appeared by video to praise the good work the IBEW/FIOE does building both his nation's middle class and the infrastructure that makes Canada work. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Sixth District International Vice President Paul Noble and Chicago Local 134 Business Manager Donald Finn all welcomed the IBEW to the heartland of American organized labor.

District caucuses then broke out across McCormick Place to hold elections for international vice presidents and International Executive Council representatives.

On Tuesday, the crucial and technical work of updating the laws and Constitution began and the results of the district elections were announced.

The Convention welcomed AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, one of the IBEW's own, who is breaking new ground in the labor movement as the first woman to preside over the federation.

Paddy Kavanagh, general secretary of Ireland's Connect Trade Union, brought greetings from sisters and brothers overseas and spoke about the bonds of international brotherhood. Delegates also heard from David Long and Kirk Davis, CEO and president of the National Electrical Contractors Association, the IBEW's construction management partners.

Illinois Senate President Don Harmon spoke and delegates heard from an old friend, International Secretary-Treasurer Emeritus Salvatore "Sam" Chilia, and U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, both by video.

No matter how important the work was, when everything else at the 40th International Convention has passed out of memory, the third day will live on in the IBEW's history.

For the first time, the IBEW hosted a sitting president, Joseph R. Biden, who repeated his belief that he simply would not be in the White House without the IBEW.

It was a tangible demonstration of what working people can accomplish when they organize, in union and politically. The president came to the IBEW in gratitude and with a list of his administration's accomplishments that will improve working peoples' lives, safety and job prospects. And he pledged that his landmark infrastructure law will be built union.

A handful of proposed resolutions were voted on by the delegates, but it was a day for speeches, with appearances from North America's Building Trades Unions President Sean McGarvey, Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives Chris Welch and Helmets to Hardhats Executive Director Martin Helms, among others.

The visit from the president was extraordinary, but it left a mountain of work for Day 4. Nearly 60 constitutional amendments and resolutions were debated and voted on. The International Executive Council and newly elected international vice presidents accepted their districts' nominations, and their elections were ratified by the delegates, including Fourth District IVP Gina Cooper, who made history becoming the first woman ever elected an international officer in the IBEW.

The podium was visited by a parade of friends from across the international labor movement, including AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond, Canadian Labour Congress Executive Vice President Larry Rousseau and Allen Hicks, National Secretary of the Electrical Trades Union of Australia.

Stephenson then held a fascinating sit-down conversation with Pro Football Hall of Famers Larry Kramer and Mike Singletary, honoring them for their work with the IBEW supporting the National Child Identification Program, which offers parents a simple kit to provide to authorities in the event of a child abduction.

The final day of the Convention completed the set of Illinois political leaders with an appearance from Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin. President of the Danish Union of Electricians Jørgen Juul Rasmussen completed the roster of international guests who spoke to the Convention.

IBEW General Counsel Jon Newman delivered a scorching assessment of the Trump administration record on labor policy and how things have changed for the better under President Biden.

Final duties were dispatched by the delegates, including wrapping up grievance and appeals hearings, a handful of resolutions and appointing delegations to other international labor conventions.

Stephenson wrapped up the convention late Friday morning, thanking delegates for their diligence and announcing San Diego as the host city for the 41st International Convention in four years' time.

In closing, he also reminded the assembled delegates and guests why they'd come to Chicago in the first place and where their priorities lay.

"Without you and your members, we would not be an IBEW," Stephenson said. "I'll never forget that it is our members working out there each and every day, regardless of what branch they're from. That's the strength of the IBEW, and that's why we're able to do the things we do.

"So, please go home and thank your members for me for everything they do each and every day."