NCEL is the essential regional electrical industry trade association that has been serving the Upper Midwest Electrical Industry since 1936. As a non-profit organization, NCEL is dedicated to fostering a thriving community of electrical industry professionals and providing forums where industry peers can share ideas, techniques, and programs to better serve the industry and its customers. NCEL's membership footprint extends from the western Dakotas to Wisconsin and encompasses a primary service area footprint of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Members include various types of organizations such as investor-owned utilities, rural electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, manufacturers, representatives, distributors, engineers, contractors, and trade associations, among others. NCEL offers educational and peer development activities, industry-focused workshops, and programs showcasing new and emerging technologies. Members also enjoy a range of traditional association services, including scholarships, internships, job classifieds, charitable activities, industry news, awards, and access to the renowned Upper Midwest Electrical EXPO.

NCEL is committed to providing quality products and services to its members at a value price while keeping membership dues low. The organization operates on a break-even philosophy, with all revenue going towards paying expenses. NCEL's services are driven by the ongoing needs of its members, and the organization strives to understand and prioritize the diverse needs of its membership base.

NCEL values open-sharing and cooperative collaboration among its members and aims to advance the interests of its members while providing forums for education, idea exchange, and program development. With a vision to be the essential regional electrical association, NCEL focuses on conducting a variety of programs and events that address members' vital issues, engaging members through a robust offering of activities, and promoting networking, engagement, and information sharing