International President Lonnie R. Stephenson and Secretary-Treasurer Kenny Cooper cut the ribbon Friday morning, May 6, to kick off a three-day Expo and welcome nearly 80 union-friendly vendors to the 40th IBEW Convention.

May 9, 2022

Convention Expo: Union-Friendly Vendors Make Their Case to Delegates

From T-shirts to technology, investment funds, health care, tools, protective gear, and more, there was something for everyone among the nearly 80 vendors filling the 40th International Convention’s Expo Hall.

Milwaukee Tool drew lots of attention with its large-scale presence. Tools and protective equipment stood out in the exposition hall, but the lion’s share of vendors were technology companies, health care, insurance, investments, and others specializing in union services.

Klein Tools was another of the Expo’s most colorful vendors. Check the list of hyperlinks at the bottom of this story.

International President Lonnie R. Stephenson and Secretary-Treasurer Kenny Cooper shared a jumbo pair of scissors to cut the ribbon Friday morning, May 6, kicking off the lively weekend exposition.

“I want to thank all of our exhibitors. We count on you,” Stephenson said. “You’re always there supporting our activities — all of our conferences, all across the United States, Canada as well.”

Delegates wound their way past exhibitors to pick up welcome gifts from Chicago-area locals, giving them the opportunity to interact with vendors and learn more about the products and services they offer to local unions and union members.

Noting that it had been five and a half years since the 2016 St. Louis convention, Stephenson said, “As you know, because of Covid we had to delay things a bit, but here we are. I couldn’t be prouder to be in Chicago, my home state, my home district, and really I’ve adopted Chicago as my hometown. I’m very excited about being here.”

Cooper also thanked the exhibitors, many of whom already provide vital services to IBEW locals and the International.

“Not only do you do work for us and help us do our job,” he said, “but you help the brotherhood every day out there because you believe in what we believe in: the union movement.”