After a grateful and optimistic farewell, International President Kenneth W. Cooper rapped the ceremonial gavel and brought the IBEW’s 41st International Convention to a close Friday morning, Sept. 25.
“What an incredible week,” he roared from the stage at the San Diego Convention Center. “I’ve been to seven IBEW conventions in my time. And this was the most energized, most productive and, I am positive, one of the most historic.”
The convention brought more than 6,000 delegates, guests and staff to sunny San Diego, now a “great union city,” Cooper said, due to the tireless efforts of its IBEW locals and labor allies over the past 30 years.
He announced that the next convention — in 2031 — will be in Pittsburgh, a city whose union lineage dates to the 1800s.
“The 42nd IBEW International Convention is going home to the cradle of the American labor movement,” Cooper said. “A town with labor roots so deep, they can never be questioned.”
While official business began Sept. 21, many delegates arrived earlier for pre-convention committee meetings and the always-popular Day of Service, a hallmark of IBEW conferences and conventions.
More than 200 volunteers with garbage bags, pails and big smiles tackled five parks and beach areas along the San Diego waterfront Sept. 17.
The biggest-ever IBEW expo opened its doors Sept. 18 for three days, with 170 vendors and exhibitors offering everything from safety gear and software to union healthcare, financial and technical services.
For the first time, the expo featured a traveling version of the IBEW Museum, a dazzling array of artifacts and displays tracing the union’s history since its founding in 1891.
It was an afternoon of camaraderie for brothers and sisters the Saturday before the convention, with a picnic at the convention center, followed by short walk to a festive outdoor concert as the sun set.
Monday morning began with the presentation of colors from U.S. and Canadian military units and both nations’ pledges and anthems.
The chair pro tem of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors welcomed delegates, arriving with a framed proclamation declaring Sept. 21, 2026, as IBEW Day. Paloma Aguirre, a forceful IBEW ally, presented the award to the business managers of the convention’s host locals — San Diego Locals 569 and 465 and Diamond Bar Local 47.
A high-energy roll call of IBEW districts followed. Music pulsated as each international vice president, flanked by delegates, proudly shouted out district highlights and fun facts.
Nominations and voting for the union’s top officers began took place Sept. 21-22, with delegates electing Cooper, International Secretary-Treasurer Paul Noble and International Executive Council Chair Joe Calabro to full five-year terms.
Cooper’s keynote speech Tuesday celebrated the IBEW’s historic organizing surge since the Chicago convention, taking the union from about 700,000 active and retired members to more than 920,000 today.
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler also hailed the huge gains and told delegates she couldn’t be prouder to be one of them — an IBEW sister out of Portland, Ore., Local 125.
IBEW brother and U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross also spoke Sept. 22, the first of a series of video and in-person remarks from IBEW political allies throughout the week. Several industry leaders also spoke, emphasizing their strong relationships with the IBEW leadership team.
The busy convention agenda included 22 proposed amendments to the IBEW Constitution and consideration of 61 resolutions.
The convention drew 2,032 delegates from 597 locals in the U.S. and Canada, representing nearly 700,000 members.
More news about convention business and speakers, along with photos and videos, are available on the convention app and at IBEW.org.
Winding up his sendoff Sept. 25, Cooper reflected on IBEW unity and asked delegates to stand and look around the room.
“Look at someone you don’t know,” he said. “You might not know their name. They might work in a different industry, live in a different city or come from a different country. They might be from a different generation, a different gender, a different race.
“You might not agree with them on every issue. But every single one of them is your brother or sister. That’s what solidarity means. No matter our differences, we are a united IBEW.”
