Welcome to AFCA/AFDA Fire & EMS Leadership Conference & Expo

                                  July 13-17, 2026

Welcome to the 2025 Edition of the AFCA/AFDA Fire & EMS Leadership Conference & Expo  and Glendale / Westgate - home to the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa, Westgate Entertainment District, Tanger Outlet Mall, Gila River Arena and State Farm Stadium. The host hotel for the 2026 Conference will again be the the Renaissance Hotel. With 320 rooms this 4-star hotel is at the center of the active and growing Westgate Entertainment District.  The hotel is a short walk to Westgate, Tanger Outlets and a variety of other shops and restaurants in the immediate area.  This year's conference features exciting general session presentations, 24 individual workshop presentations, AFDA statutory presentations, a continuation of the NextGen series, a special track for fire marshals and a 1 day seminar for the Administrative Professionals Section. 2026 is a conference you won't want to miss.

Event Details

Questions? Who to Contact
 

Conference Coordinator
Jim Ford, AFCA Executive Director
jford@azfirechiefs.org
602-739-9905

AFDA Coordinator
Mary Dalton, AFDA Executive Director
admin@azfiredistricts.org
480-496-4331

AFSAP Seminar
Linda Annoreno AFSAP Chairperson
lannoreno@scottsdaleaz.gov
480-312-1802

Expo Coordinator 
Keith Eaton
expo@azfirechiefs.org
928-530-0393

Hotel Questions
Dustin Zamboni                  longhorns2627@gmail.com          602-399-5678                                                                             

 

Golf Tournament Co-Chairs
Shawn Western
shawn.western@yahoo.com
928-856-1345

James Hernandez
james332hernandez@yahoo.com
928-289-2091

 Host Hotel

Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa
9495 W Entertainment Blvd
Glendale, AZ  85305
623-937-3700

Networking

As in the past a variety of networking opportunities will be available at this year's conference including a variety of meal functions, interactive workshops and sponsored events. See information on the MES Customer Appreciation Tuesday and the Axe Throwing events below.

Awards

A number of awards are presented during the conference opening ceremonies including the Alan V. Brunacini Chief Officer of the Year and the Bob Weber Lifetime Achievement Awards.  For information on how to nominate an individual for either of these two awards open the PDF below.  To nominate an individual use the Nomination Link below.

AFCA Awards Nomination Worksheet
 

Expo

The AFCA/AFDA Fire/EMS Equipment & Technology Expo features over 120 exhibitors with the latest in emergency service equipment and technology.

Expo Hours
July 15 - 11:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
July 16 - 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

2025 AFCA W-9

Golf Tournament

23rd Annual Steve Alley Memorial
Golf Tournament

Friday July 17, 2026

Sponsored by:
CORE Construction

The 23rd Annual Steve Alley Memorial  Tournament will be held this year at the Grand Canyon University Golf Course 5902 W. Indian School Rd. Phoenix AZ.  

Use the  registration links below if you wish to play golf or
become a golf sponsor
but WILL NOT be attending the conference

2025 AFCA W-9

David Winnacker

General USMC, Fire Chief (ret.)

 

 

                                                   Mark Little 

   Fire Chief, Okolona Fire Dept. 

         

  CUSTOMER  APPRECIATION      

 

         EVENT COMING SOON!     

 

Hosted By

Tuesday , July 14   6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Back Again This Year ! !

Enjoy an evening of food, drinks,  networking and Fun in the Westgate Entertainment District at Salt Tacos y Tequila.

There is no cost to attend the event and all conference registrants are welcome

STAND BY FOR MORE DETAILS

COMING SOON

COMING SOON

 

Download the App

Get the powerful, easy-to-use mobile app that will make sure you get the most out of this year's conference.

For presentation information, speaker bios, session locations, session ratings, exhibitor information and locations up-to-the-minute updates and notificatinos and to get the most from your conference experience download the 2026 Conference Mobile App. Available at no charge for conference attendees for iPhone and Android mobile devices.

How to Get the Moble App

1.  Go to the App Store on your mobile device
2.  Download the "Aventri Events" app
              NOTE: be sure to allow location and push notifications while in the app
3. Enter Access Code: 617893
4.  Enter the email address you used to register for the conference as your user name
5. Enter your 8 digit Registration ID as your password  (your registration id can be found on your registration confirmation or your conference badge)

 

Your Input Is Important - Please Use the App and Rate the Sessions You Attend

Please use the “Session Rating” feature located on the home screen of the mobile app to rate the sessions you attend. This will help us in determining whether or not we hit the mark for this year and in planning for next year’s educational sessions. For repeated sessions please be sure you select the correct session for your rating (i.e. the first session listed is session 1, the second listing is session 2). It’s quick and easy to give us valuable feedback.

2026 Conference Sponsors

Thank you to this year's sponsors - without you the conference would not be possible

 

 


Gold Sponsors

 

 

 

Silver Sponsors