THE ARRIVAL OF SPRING here in New England signals the approach of the annual NFPA Conference & Expo, which will be held this June in Chicago. For me, the Conference & Expo brings about one of the key things I love about my leadership role at NFPA—being able to meet and talk with all of you, our members. You are the lifeblood of NFPA, and you demonstrate a passion for the mission we are continually pursuing.
For those of you who have attended the C&E in the past, I can promise that you’ll see a few new things. For example, our opening general session, on Monday, June 22, will have a different look and feel as we begin to articulate the vision for NFPA into the future. The session will give me the opportunity to share with you how I see that future, which includes working together as part of a global effort to address the deadly impacts of fire, electrical, and related hazards. I encourage everyone to attend the general session and share that look into NFPA’s future.
Our keynote address during the general session will also have a new look, and will consist of three speakers all focused on unique areas of disaster response.
Disasters come in many different forms, both natural and man-made, and each of our speakers will address a specific impact that disasters can have and how those impacts can be effectivelty managed.
For those of you who have never attended a C&E, now is a great time to make your first appearance. A big reason why the C&E is the premier fire and life safety event is the Expo, a one-of-a-kind event that brings together more than 300 of the top solution providers in the fire, electrical, and life safety arenas. There is no better place to learn about new products, services, and techniques than the Expo.
We have also scheduled more than 150 educational sessions that will take you through the latest developments in emergency planning, building & life safety, electrical, health care, and many other key areas of interest for members. The NFPA Technical Meeting will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, June 24 and 25, and members will have the opportunity to listen to and participate in key debate and voting on a number of documents, including NFPA 13, Installation of Sprinkler Systems, and NFPA 72®, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code.
I’m looking forward to seeing professionals from around the globe gather to share information and knowledge that helps make the world a safer place. Click here more information on the NFPA Conference & Expo and to register.
See you in Chicago.
JAMES PAULEY, NFPA President