For the very first time in history, the FEMSA/FAMA Annual/Fall Conference was held in Canada! And it was
a huge success! Warm weather and sunshine welcomed us while we met in Toronto, Ontario on October 7-11 at the Toronto Marriott Eaton Centre. Thank you to the 204 members and guests who found their passports and crossed the U.S./Canadian border for educational presentations from leading professionals, special interest meetings, networking opportunities and travel adventures in a beautiful, cosmopolitan city.
91 representatives from 58 FEMSA member companies and 30 representatives from 18 member companies of both FEMSA and FAMA ventured north to find “A World of Opportunities,” the theme of this year’s conference. If you were not able to make it to Toronto this year, you missed an amazing opportunity to learn from top speakers, meet new business colleagues, re-engage with old friends, participate in caucus group and business meetings and visit the sites in the Toronto area. Be sure to save the dates of October 7-9, 2020 for the conference in New Orleans!
Most importantly, thank you to our sponsors without whom there would not be a conference! Their loyalty to the FEMSA and FAMA associations and their generosity to support the annual conference helped cover the costs of speakers, meeting rooms, receptions, meals, breaks, marketing and signage. FEMSA and FAMA are eternally grateful to all the sponsors of this year’s conference. We hope you will renew your sponsorship for the 2020 conference in New Orleans.
If you are interested in becoming a new or returning sponsor of the FEMSA/ FAMA Annual/Fall Conference, please contact skelly@fama.org or cleighton@ femsa.org. Sponsorship opportunities are available now! First Come! First Served!
Thank you to the FEMSA and FAMA board members for dedicating their time and talents preparing presentations for their business meetings, recommending and introducing speakers, mentoring new and first-time attendees, and writing newsletter articles about the conference.
James Long and Crosby Grindle, co-chairs of the annual conference, interviewed and selected an outstanding group of speakers focusing on the business side of the fire service and on future technology to help the first responders operate safely and effectively. We were so fortunate to have this year’s renowned speakers come from all over the U.S. and Canada to share their knowledge, experience, enthusiasm and time. Summaries of their presentations are included in this newsletter. The speakers who prepared PowerPoint presentations shared them, which you can find posted in the Secured Members Area on the FEMSA and FAMA websites.
President Bill Van Lent called the FEMSA 2019 Annual Business Meeting to order on Wednesday afternoon, marking the association’s 53rd anniversary. FEMSA Board Members were recognized for their hard work and dedication to the association. New members and first-time attendees were introduced and welcomed. Vice President James Long called the roll of the member companies. Secretary-Treasurer David Russell presented the financial reports confirming the association’s financial strength. Board Liaisons presented the Committee Reports detailing the activities of each of the committees. After the Nominations Committee presented the slate of candidates, elections were held. Board members John Granby, James Long, David Russell and Jenny Surovey were confirmed for the three-year term commencing January 1, 2020. After many years of dedication to the FEMSA board, Paul Andrews will end his Board term on December 31, 2019. Thank you, Paul, for your numerous contributions to the Board over the years! You will be immensely missed!
All members were and are encouraged to actively engage in the association’s activities – join a committee, run for the Board. It’s your association – get involved! Opportunity is knocking! Open the door!
