FIRE AND EMERGENCY MANUFACTURERS
AND SERVICES ASSOCIATION
“The Resource for Public Safety Businesses”
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
June 3, 2015
TO: All FEMSA Members
Pursuant to Article IV, Section 1 of the bylaws of the Fire and Emergency Manufacturers and
Services Association (FEMSA), notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of the general
membership will be held September 30 - October 2, 2015, at the
Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel
202 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD
FAMA will host its fall membership meeting during this time, and will share some conference
programs and events with FEMSA.
This year's theme of the joint FEMSA/FAMA annual conference is "Taking Care of Business."
You will hear from leaders in the North American fire service and our industry about future
trends, emerging technologies, the state of the economy, and gain insights to make you and your
business more effective and successful.
Speakers and Presentations:
 The Keynote Speaker: Dr. Denis Onieal, new Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator will
address, “Taking Care of Business in the Fire Service”
 Business Speaker: “Economic Forecast” - Dr. Anirban Basu, Chairman & CEO of Sage
Policy Group, has written several high-profile economic development strategies – highly
informative and entertaining!
 Fire Chiefs’ Round Table: Discussion will feature a talented mix of fire service
professionals from large and small departments with real-world views on purchasing.
Moderator: Chief Dennis Compton [panelists TBD]
 Special Presentation: Chief Jeff Johnson will address “Emerging Technology &
Communications Trends in Public Safety”
 “Fire Lanes” - Select 2 of the 4 presentation tracks that include:
 Succession Planning – Barbara Mitchell, Author
 Social Media/Apps - Paul Andrews and Steve Barnett
 Active Shooters & Security – Lt. Frank Borelli
 Catastrophic Disaster Planning – Dave Denniston
Be sure to bring a second representative from your company to cover all sessions.
 “Sunset Clause” - Bill Webb, Congressional Fire Services Institute, will address the
critical timing surrounding the “sunset clause” and the impact it will have on the Fire and
Emergency Services.
 AFG Grants Office – Hear the latest changes in rules governing grant applications
 INTERSCHUTZ … Gesundheit !!!: A first-hand account of this international event from
the eyes of two member representatives who will surely add a unique flavor and twist to
this presentation – our own Rod Carringer and David Durstine.
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If you have never attended the annual conference and wonder if it is worth the time and expense,
ask someone who has attended! The presentations are geared to give everyone something to
bring back that will help their businesses. So, please mark your calendars and plan to attend this
year's program!
Time Table – To get the most of the conference experience, plan to arrive in Baltimore on
Wednesday, September 30th, with departure on Saturday, October 3rd. Before departing the area,
please consider attending the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend events on October
3rd and 4th in Emmitsburg, MD.
All members attending the Friday night banquet will be entered in a drawing for a free meeting
fee and two nights’ stay at the 2016 host hotel in Nashville, TN (a $750 value). Previous
winners include: Larry Dodson of Allison Transmission (2012 meeting in Glendale, AZ), Judy
Weigand of Amkus (2013 meeting in Tampa, FL), Bill Arbus of Apparatus Equipment & Service
(2014 meeting in San Antonio, TX), and Ted Billick of PennWell Fire Group (2015 meeting in
Baltimore, MD).
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: August 24th - http://femsa.org/annualmeeting_reg.cfm
Conference Program – Linked to this notice you’ll find a 2-page brochure detailing the
preliminary schedule of meetings and conference programs. Please circulate this information to
decision makers in your company who would benefit from attending this conference.
(Special thanks to Kaci Wheeler and Paul Andrews (PennWell Marketing Solutions) for the design and
development of the conference brochure and press releases.)
Sponsorship Opportunities – The following sponsorship opportunities are available to all
members attending the 2015 annual/fall meetings and events and can be split or shared with
other members making sponsorships more affordable for all:
FEMSA/FAMA Friday Banquet ** ……………..………………. $ 10,000
FEMSA/FAMA Friday Member Lunch ………………………….. $ 5,500
FEMSA/FAMA New Attendee/Welcome Receptions (1/3) …… $ 2,500
FEMSA Breakfast (Thursday) …………………………………… $ 2,500
(Please email Karen – info@femsa.org – if you have interest in any of these opportunities.)
A Sincere Thank You to the following members for their sponsorship commitments that
benefit attending FEMSA and FAMA members:
FEMSA/FAMA Hospitality* ……....................................................... PennWell Fire Group
FEMSA/FAMA Networking Sessions ……………………………………… FIREHOUSE
FEMSA/FAMA New Attendee/Welcome Receptions ….. Fouts Bros, Task Force Tips, +1
FEMSA/FAMA Business Speaker ……………………. Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs
FEMSA/FAMA Round Table …………………………… AMDOR + Rosenbauer America
FEMSA/FAMA Friday Breakfasts ………………………………………………… Spartan
FEMSA/FAMA Friday Reception…FIREHOUSE, FireRescue1.com, and FireShowsWest
FEMSA/FAMA Spouse/Guest Lunch Cruise ….. Holmatro + Performance Advantage Co.
FEMSA/FAMA Banquet Open Bar ………………………………............ FireRescue1.com
FAMA/FEMSA Conference Signage …………….............................. Rosenbauer America
FEMSA/FAMA Marketing Development ………………… PennWell Marketing Solutions
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Sponsorship Benefits –
 Formal recognition in meeting materials and from podium each day
 Recognition in the fall and winter issues of FEMSA News
 Twitter and LinkedIn mentions
 Sponsorship sign provided and displayed during the sponsored event
 Opportunity to place promotional material *** during your sponsored event
 Exposure to FEMSA and FAMA members
 Build new relationships with potential customers
* includes a large banner and individual table signage plus the benefits listed above.
** includes individual table signage pus the benefits listed above.
*** promotional material must be approved, in advance, by the FEMSA/FAMA Meeting Planning
Committee
Periodic updates will be e-mailed to you providing additional details and updates on the
conference program, as well as the hotel and area attractions. All updates will be posted on the
FEMSA web site at the “Perks” page at http://femsa.org/meetingperks.cfm where you’ll find all
meeting information including a welcome letter from your meeting planners with helpful tips on
lodging.
Online Meeting Registration is now open at http://femsa.org/annualmeeting_reg.cfm If you do
not receive an electronic confirmation within 48 hours of submitting your on-line meeting
registration, contact Karen Burnham at info@femsa.org. In addition, we will e-mail broadcast a
list of registered attendees periodically. If you registered and do not see your name on the list,
contact Karen immediately. These procedures will ensure that everyone is counted.
Book Your Hotel Reservations - All members are responsible to make their own hotel
reservations. When you register for the meeting online, you will see a direct link to Renaissance
Baltimore Harborplace Hotel web page that will include a link to the FAMA/FEMSA Group
booking. The rate is $179 p/n+ taxes. You may also call the hotel directly at (410) 547-1200 to
reserve your room.
In order to accommodate all member requests and fulfill our room block commitment,
registration deadline has been set for August 24th. At that time we must release any guest rooms
not reserved in our block. After that date, the rate will increase and rooms may not be available
at the host hotel.
MEETING FEES and RESERVATION/CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICIES
1. Meeting Fees: No “a la carte” meeting fee schedules are available to members, spouses
and/or guests with the exception of children under 11 years of age.
a. The first representative of a member company pays the primary fee of $325.
Each additional representative from that same member company will pay a
discounted fee of $275. Each employee must complete his/her own registration
form.
b. Note: If your company is not a member, you must join FEMSA to participate in
the 2015 conference. Contact info@femsa.org for more information.
c. Guest / Spouse Fee $200 Per Person
d. Children from 11 years + $200 Per Person
e. Children 3-10 $100 Per Person
f. Children under 3 No Charge
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2. Reservation Policy: FEMSA/FAMA negotiates a special room rate each year. The room
block this year closes August 24th. After that date, the FAMA/FEMSA rate ($179) may
not be available and you will have to pay the full rack rate of 10%-20% more per night.
We set aside a fixed number of rooms based on anticipated attendance. Reservations are
made on a first-come, first-served basis.
3. Cancellation Policy: If you cancel a reservation after August 24th, there is a one-night
cancellation fee. Also, if you check out prior to your original reservation departure date,
you will be charged a one-night cancellation fee. No-Shows will be charged for the
nights missed.
4. Refund Policy: Annual membership meeting fees will not be refunded, but will be
credited toward the next annual membership meeting.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact your annual meeting planners directly or the
FEMSA office.
We look forward to seeing you this fall in Baltimore, MD.
Sincerely,
William Lawson, President
and the FEMSA Annual Meeting Committee:
Bill Van Lent, Chair/VP – bvl@veridian.net
Janet Wilmoth – janet.wilmoth@comcast.net
Karen Burnham – info@femsa.org
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