THE YEAR'S MOST IMPORTANT EVENT for the electrical, fire, and building safety industries will be held June 22 to 25 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. Join NFPA experts and thousands of industry professionals as they gather for the 2015 NFPA Conference & Expo® (C&E), widely regarded as the most comprehensive event in the industry. The event combines an unrivaled educational conference with an expo featuring more than 350 booths, as well as the two-day NFPA Technical Meeting, also known as the Tech Session. It’s an ideal opportunity to rub elbows with industry innovators, bend the ears of our expert instructors, and meet others who are facing the same issues and challenges you are.
The Conference
Once again, we’ve made a dedicated effort to identify speakers and sessions that are timely and highly relevant. Choose from more than 125 education sessions to create a customized schedule. You can download the C&E mobile app to your smart phone or tablet and get easy access to detailed information about the sessions and the Expo. The app also allows you to customize your schedule with personal appointments while at the event.
We’re excited about the changes we’ve made to this year’s Conference, including the introduction of new, in-depth discussions on changes being made to key codes and standards.
These events will feature the technical experts who know not only what changes are being made, but also why they are being made and what effect they’ll have on you. NFPA’s Matt Klaus will moderate a panel discussion on NFPA 13, Installation of Sprinkler Systems, and industry expert Robert Schifiliti will moderate a panel discussion on NFPA 72®, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. To make sure that all the important information is covered, each panel will offer a three-part presentation with plenty of time for you to ask questions.
Conference attendees will find more than just code updates. We’ll also offer case studies, research findings, updates on emerging technologies, and insights into the future of fire and life safety. Here are a few of the sessions that will offer attendees unique learning opportunities.
Kick-off + Keynote Address
The main event of the conference kicks off on Monday, June 22, with the General Session, where all attendees are encouraged to meet and enjoy a warm welcome from NFPA’s new president, Jim Pauley, followed by the keynote address.
This year’s keynote, "Disaster Response," features a new, dynamic format, with three speakers telling compelling stories about an emergency scenario and raising urgent questions: Your town’s been devastated by a tornado, but relief is nowhere to be found. What would you do? Emergency shelters are desperately needed, but tents just won’t work. What’s the solution? Money can flow and plans can be drawn, but who’s going to actually do the work?
Get answers to these questions and more. Don’t miss it!
Recent Events
- The Lac Mégantic Disaster: When a Runaway Train Destroyed a Town and Killed 47
- High-Rise Evacuation or Shelter in Place?
- Boston Marathon Attack
- The 2013 California Rim Fire: Lessons Learned
Health Care
- NFPA 99, Health Care Facilities, for Facility Managers
- The Joint Commission Update
- Nursing Home Disaster Preparation and Incident Command: CMS Requirements
Fire and Life Safety Worldwide
- Fire and Life Safety in the Bangladesh Garment Industry
- Fire Protection Systems in East Africa
- Emergency Planning for a New Hospital with a Multinational Staff
The Latest Code Requirements and Their Application
Emergency Preparedness
The Latest Research
- Smoke Alarm Nuisance Source Characterization Research
- Firefighter Safety Research: How Does It Affect You?
- ESFR Sprinklers and Obstructions: Latest Research
The Future of Fire and Life Safety
- In-Rack Sprinkler Fundamentals and the Future of Protection
- Health Care: Looking into the Future of Regulations
- The Drones Are Coming: Unmanned Aircraft Systems in the Fire Service of the Future
This is just a sampling of the many programs we currently have scheduled. Sessions are subject to change, so visit the C&E homepage for complete details.
And be sure to download the C&E mobile app so you can create a personal calendar, connect to other attendees, plan your visit to the Expo, and more. The app will be available approximately one month before the Conference.
The Expo
The three-day Expo will showcase the latest technologies and services from hundreds of the top solution providers in the fire safety, life safety, and electrical industries. Knowledgeable representatives from these companies will be available to answer your questions and offer solutions to your most pressing challenges. The Expo provides you with the ideal location to see, touch, and try products, as well as to meet technical staff. As always, the Expo is free when you register in advance.
NFPA Technical Meeting
At the heart of the codes and standards development process is the Technical Session. Beginning on Wednesday, June 24, and continuing through Thursday, June 25, our core technical members will convene to voice concerns and cast their votes on the codes and standards that are up for revision. The annual 2015 revision cycle includes more than 35 documents. To find out which documents will be presented, you can visit nfpa.org/nitmam starting on May 1 for an updated listing. To be eligible to vote on the proposed changes to NFPA standards, your NFPA membership must be current 180 days before the start of the Technical Session.
For future participation, join an NFPA section or apply for technical committee membership. Technical committee members receive 20 percent off their conference registrations, the largest discount available.
Travel and Hotels
NFPA has negotiated excellent rates for hotels, airlines, and car rentals for the 2015 C&E. If you book your flight and hotel early, you can take advantage of discounted rates and secure a room at a nearby hotel. We strongly encourage you to book early, as rooms go fast. And when you book at one of the hotels associated with the NFPA Conference & Expo, you will enjoy the convenience of free shuttle service to and from McCormick Place.
Special negotiated rates are available at nfpa.org/conferencehotels. Group discount codes for Avis car rental, and for Delta and United airlines, are also available online at nfpa.org/conferencehotels.
Registration
You can register one of four ways.
To register online, go to nfpa.org/conference.
For mail and fax, please download the registration form from nfpa.org/conference. Mail the completed form to NFPA Registration, 11 Tracy Drive, Avon, MA 02322–9908, or fax it to 800–593–6372.
You may also register by phone at 800–344–3555.
Stay Updated
Stay on top of important details about the C&E by connecting via your preferred social media outlet. Sign up for blog notifications, follow us on Twitter @NFPA, join the conversation using #NFPAConf, or “like us” on Facebook. In the coming months, we’ll feature speaker highlights, Chicago info, video clips, and more.
The Convenience + Appeal of Chicago
Chicago’s central location makes it easy to get to fast. It’s within a day’s drive of more than half the country, and with more than 2,900 flights arriving daily, Chicago is an ideal location to gather with members from across the country and around the world.
Chicago is a premier destination chock-full of world-class attractions, including popular museums, stunning architecture, and must-see art. Highlights include the Museum of Science and Industry, the Chicago Architecture Foundation, the Field Museum (home of Tyrannosaurus Sue), the Art Institute of Chicago, the Magnificent Mile (the ultimate shopping experience), the Shedd Aquarium, Millennium Park, and Navy Pier. It’s a city of broad shoulders, indeed. And don’t forget the exceptional dining, with award-winning offerings for every taste. ChooseChicago.com and NFPA's Conference Blog highlight ideas on the many ways to make your visit to Chicago a memorable one.
Technical committee members are eligible for a full conference registration at the significantly discounted rate of $925. Even better, technical committee members receive a special privilege of flat-fee registration, meaning you can register for $925 any time from now until the event. The early-bird full conference registration for members is $985 and includes the general session, all education sessions, the NFPA Technical Meeting, and the Expo. The early-bird deadline Is May 8. After May 8, regular conference registration for members is $1,040. The conference registration for non-members is $1,155.
We’re excited about the changes coming your way and about being in Chicago. It’s going to be a great event in June.
KAITLYN GREENE is associate project manager for Marketing at NFPA.