Annual Fire Expo Schedule

Details

Event Details

Location

Hilton Indianapolis Hotel & Suites

120 West Market Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Dates

Tuesday, April 14 –

Thursday, April 16

Cost

AFAA AHJ Member $500

AFAA Member $950

Non-Member $1,200

Guest Fee: $250*

Kid Fee: $75*

*This is for meals and drinks only.

Please note, our schedule is subject to change including the titles of the presentations.

Day 1 – Tuesday, April 14th

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8:00am – 12:00pm

indianapolis ballroom

2nd Floor

AFAA Business Meeting AND Board of Directors Meeting – NEW for 2026

By AFAA Board of Directors | Please take note of our schedule change and combining meetings!

Open Meeting

We are combining our Business and Board Meeting. That means our elections will now be held on Tuesday, April 14th.

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1:15pm – 2:45pm

victory Ballroom

9th Floor

AFAA Codes & Standards Meeting

By George Bish, Codes & Standards Chair

Open Meeting

Join the Codes & Standards Committee to hear the latest updates. Please contact our office for a hybrid option if you are a paticipant in the codes and standards committee.

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3:00PM – 4:30pm

Victory Ballroom

9th Floor

Fire Protection Research Foundation Detection Committee Meeting

By Victoria Hutchison, FPRF

Open Meeting

Join the FPRF to hear the latest updates.

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4:30pm – 6:00pm

Monument Hall

Concourse (Lower Level)

Welcome Reception with Exhibitors

Networking Event

Open to Everyone

Join our Exhibitors and others in the industry at our Welcome Reception. We will have two open bars and food.

Sponsorship opportunity available – contact Alex Strausser today if you are interested in sponsoring this event!

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6:00pm – 11:59pm

Indianapolis, IN

Free Time

On Your Own

Enjoy Indianapolis, IN! Click the link below to see what Indy has to offer.

Visit Indy

Day 2 – Wednesday, April 15th

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7:00am – 8:30am

Monument Hall

Concourse (Lower Level)

Breakfast with Exhibitors

Networking Event

Open to Everyone

Join our Exhibitors and fuel yourself for the day with breakfast!

Sponsorship opportunity available – contact Alex Strausser today if you are interested in sponsoring this event!

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8:55am – 9:00am

Victory Ballroom

9th Floor

Opening Remarks

By Dr. Shane Clary, AFAA President

General Session

Join AFAA President, Dr. Shane Clary as he kicks off the day with opening remarks and introduces our Keynote Speaker!

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9:00am – 10:00am

Victory Ballroom

9th Floor

Keynote Speaker-AI & Fire Protection

By Milosh Puchovsky

Education Session

Together, let’s look through the creative lens of imagination, illusion, magic, science, and engineering to discover how the codes and standards address the unique fire protection and life safety challenges for special amusement buildings, attractions, and themed entertainment venues.

1 hour of continuing education available.

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10:00am – 10:15am

Victory Ballroom

9th Floor

Break

Sponsorship Available

Contact Alex Strausser for more details today!

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10:15am – 11:15am

Victory Ballroom

9th Floor

Breaking the Reactive Cycle in Fire Protection

By Brooks Adcock | Service Trade

Education Session

This session demonstrates how fire protection contractors are using
service data analytics to break free from the reactive cycle. You’ll discover how to transform your inspection records, maintenance histories, and customer data into powerful business intelligence that drives growth, reduces callbacks, and maximizes profitability.

Participants will leave with a practical roadmap to adopt analytics-driven
decision-making that drives business growth through predictable revenue streams, reduced operational costs, and positioning their business as the preferred provider for the most profitable customers.

One hour of continuing education available.

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11:15am – 12:15pm

Victory Ballroom

9th Floor

Enhancing Response to Fire & Life Safety Alarm Activations

By Peter Goldring | Goldring Protection

Education Session

The fire service is at a pivotal moment in operational technology. Advances in Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) platforms, paired with real-time data integration services such as RapidSOS, are transforming how departments respond to fire and life safety alarm activations. This session
explores how modern CAD integration enhances situational awareness, reduces response times, enhances first responder and public safety and improves resource deployment by delivering critical incident data directly to responders.

Through the integration of monitoring center data, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and next-generation 911 (NG911) infrastructure, CAD systems can now ingest and process alarm activations in near real time. Services like RapidSOS bridge the gap between protected premises,
monitoring stations, dispatch centers, and first responders by delivering enriched information—such as precise location, occupancy details, system status, and pre-plan data—before units arrive on scene.

One hour of continuing education available.

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12:15pm – 1:15pm

Monument Hall

Concourse (Lower Level)

Lunch with Exhibitors

Networking Event

Open to Everyone

Join our Exhibitors for lunch!

Sponsorship opportunity available – contact Alex Strausser today if you are interested in sponsoring this event!

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1:30pm – 2:30pm

Victory Ballroom

9th Floor

NFPA 72-2028 Updates

By Patrick Bakaj | NFPA

Education Session

This presentation covers the proposed revisions in the first draft report of the 2028 edition of NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. Major topics in this revision cycle are cybersecurity, smoke detectors on high ceilings, voltage drop calculations, communication line circuits, and auxiliary service providers. This will also cover smaller revisions such as minor reorganizations and minor changes for clarification. With the opening of the public comment period after the first draft is published, this presentation will provide an overview of submitting public comments.

One hour of continuing education available.

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2:30pm – 3:30pm

Victory Ballroom

9th Floor

Sneak Peak of the Key Changes to the 2027 ICC and NFPA Model Codes

By Sarah Carter | ICC and Richard Roberts | Honeywell

Education Session

An informative 60 minute discussion that provides an overview of the new requirements in the International Code Council (ICC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) model codes for fuel-gas detection, in-building emergency responder communications (ERCES), carbon monoxide (CO) detection, detection for waste sorting/transfer operations, remote system access, smoke detection in sleeping lofts, audible notification in areas of occupied roofs, mass notification risk analysis requirerment for other than Group E having a lockdown plan, and lithium ion battery energy storage systems (ESS).  

One hour of continuing education is available.

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3:30pm – 3:45pm

Victory Ballroom

9th Floor

Break

Sponsorship Available

Contact Alex Strausser for more details today!

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3:45pm – 4:45pm

Victory Ballroom

9th Floor

Overview of Recent Activities on Detection and Notification Standards

By Scott Lang | Honeywell

Education Session

The last year or so has seen considerable activity on UL and ULC standards for detection and notification. This presentation will provide an overview of recent harmonization activity including a harmonized UL-CSA CO alarm standard and a new Canadian fuel gas alarm standard. Beyond harmonization, technical committees are considering a number of new requirements for self-testing devices, tactile signaling appliances, as well as many changes to CO alarm functionality.

One hour of continuing education is available.

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4:45pm – 6:15pm

Monument Hall

Concourse (Lower Level)

Happy Hour with Exhibitors

Networking Event

Open to Everyone

Join Exhibitors and relax with a drink. Attendees will have an opportunity to win a prize with a completed Exhibitor Bingo Card!

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6:15pm – 11:59pm

Indianapolis, IN

Free Time

On Your Own

Enjoy Indianapolis, IN! Click the link below to see what Indy has to offer.

Visit Indy

Day 3 – Thursday, April 16th

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6:45am – 7:45am

Monument Hall

Concourse (Lower Level)

Breakfast

Networking Event

Open to Everyone

Fuel yourself for the day with breakfast!

Sponsorship opportunity available – contact Alex Strausser today if you are interested in sponsoring this event!

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8:00am – 9:00am

Victory Ballroom

9th Floor

Building Long-Term Value Through Recurring Monthly Revenue

By Patrick Egan | Egan Security Group

General Session

This presentation outlines how businesses in the security and life safety industries can increase their valuation and profitability by building strong, predictable Recurring Monthly Revenue (RMR) streams. RMR, the monthly income from active service contracts and subscriptions, is a cornerstone of sustainable growth and enterprise value.

One hour of continuing education available.

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9:00am – 10:00am

Victory Ballroom

9th Floor

Fire Alarm Circuit Performance versus Installation

By Merton Bunker | Coffman Engineering

Education Session

This 60-minute presentation explores the differences between the installation requirements in the National Electrical Code and the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code.

One hour of continuing education available.

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10:00am – 10:15am

Victory Ballroom

9th Floor

Break

Networking Event

Sponsorship Available

Contact Alex Strausser for more details today!

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10:15am – 11:15am

Victory Ballroom

9th Floor

Decoding Monitoring Communications

By Ben Adams | FieldSim

Education Session

Fire alarm monitoring technology has evolved significantly over the years and can be confusing. Learn what technologies are permitted for monitoring fire alarm systems, the special requirements that apply, and how to determine whether a fire alarm system is using a compliant monitoring configuration.

One hour of continuing education is available.

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11:15am – 12:15pm

Victory Ballroom

9th Floor

What Could You Have Done to Avoid a Lawsuit

By Terry Victor | Risk Suppression Partners LLC

Education Session

Fire alarm contractors perform installations, service work, inspections, and tests on a daily basis without thinking about what would happen if something went wrong. Water damage, false alarms, component damage, personal injury, and loss of revenue are just some of the financial impacts many contractors have to defend themselves from when something goes wrong with a fire alarm system. In many cases the fire alarm company did nothing to warrant the accusations in the lawsuit. This presentation will describe four actual lawsuits against fire alarm contractors, what the contractor did right, what the contractor did wrong, and what the contractor could have done better to avoid the lawsuit altogether. The dollar value of the lawsuits and the final outcomes will be provided.

One hour of continuing education available.

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12:15pm – 1:15pm

Monument Hall

Concourse (Lower Level)

Lunch

Networking Event

Open to Everyone

Lunch!

Sponsorship opportunity available – contact Alex Strausser today if you are interested in sponsoring this event!

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1:15pm – 2:15pm

Victory Ballroom

9th Floor

Specification & Enforcement of Code-Required ERCES for AHJs

By Derek Case | Radio Solutions Inc

Education Session

One hour of continuing education available.

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2:15pm – 3:15pm

International North Ballroom

1st Floor

Supporting Codes through Community Risk Reduction

By Jill Cotton | IROL

Education Session

The principles of Community Risk Reduction (CRR) emphasize proactive strategies to identify and mitigate risks before emergencies occur. Central to these principles is the promotion and enforcement of fire codes through diligent Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance (ITM) of fire protection systems, as outlined in NFPA 72. This program explores how robust ITM processes not only enhance the operational reliability of fire and life safety systems but also directly support CRR goals by ensuring early detection, rapid response, and sustained code compliance.

Descriptive research has been used to examine ITM documentation and reporting workflows, which are essential in delivering actionable data to fire prevention bureaus. These insights enable fire departments to proactively address systemic issues and enforcement gaps, thereby strengthening CRR initiatives. By understanding the impact of ITM on workload distribution and staffing requirements, agencies can more effectively allocate resources toward sustaining enforcement and public safety programs.

Through multi-jurisdictional analysis, the program illustrates how web-based technologies facilitate real-time information sharing, enabling the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to identify compliance trends, streamline inspection follow-ups, and foster collaboration with stakeholders. These innovations not only reduce administrative burdens but also drive measurable improvements in code adherence and public safety outcomes.

Ultimately, the implementation of strategic ITM-driven CRR efforts fosters a culture of prevention, supports data-informed decision-making, and builds resilient communities committed to sustainable fire and life safety.

One hour of continuing education available.

Annual Fire Expo Pricing

Annual Fire Expo Exhibitors

Annual Fire Expo Sponsorships

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