IBEW LU 481 (Indianapolis IN) Volunteers Preserve "Circle of Light"

March 22, 2004

Downtown Indianapolis Tradition Announces New Partner
Circle of Lights® Welcomes New Presenting Partner in 2004

Quality Connection and IBEW Local 481 have signed on to become title sponsors of Circle of Lights beginning in 2004. Circle of Lights® presented by the Contractors of Quality Connection and Electrical Workers of IBEW 481 is the new name for the 43rd year of this Downtown holiday tradition!

The Quality Connection is a labor-management partnership between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 481 and the Central Indiana Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). The team has a 50 year history of progressive labor relations and unites more than 80 electrical contractors with more than 2,400 highly trained electrical workers who can perform any electrical job from a quick residential service call to a multi-million dollar Downtown destination.

"The Quality Connection Contractors and IBEW Local 481 electrical workers have been instrumental in the construction of the Conseco Fieldhouse, American United Life Insurance building, Circle Centre Mall and many other notable destinations throughout Central Indiana. We look forward to their commitment to Circle of Lights®," said Mayor Bart Peterson.

This is the first year for Quality Connection and IBEW Local 481 to be title sponsors of the event but not the first year of their involvement. Volunteer union members of IBEW Local 481 have been installing the lights on the monument for 42 years. Each November and January more than 200 electrical workers volunteer to install and remove the 4,784 lights for this beloved annual tradition.

"With our 42-year partnership with the Contractors of Quality Connection and the electrical workers of IBEW Local 481, we are very proud to become the presenting partners of the Circle of Lights celebration" said Tom O'Donnell, business manager, IBEW Local 481.

"Circle of Lights is a great opportunity to continue the labor-management relationship and support a tradition that has been part of our community for 42 years," said Nanci Fields, executive director, Quality Connection.

Circle of Lights® presented by the Contractors of Quality Connection and Electrical Workers of IBEW 481 is the official kick-off of the holiday season in Central Indiana. The event will take place on Friday, Nov. 26, 2004, the day after Thanksgiving with more than 100,000 spectators.

"On behalf of Downtown and the hundreds of thousands of people who enjoy the holidays in Downtown each year, we are thrilled to welcome the contractors of Quality Connection and electrical workers of IBEW Local 481," said Tamara Zahn, president, Indianapolis Downtown, Inc.

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