ANNUAL FORUM SCHEDULE
Tentative schedule of events below. More information will continue to be added, so check back soon. FSSA is a NICET recognized training provider, therefore attendees can self-report CEU credit for the Annual Forum and the Technical Committee Meeting. Certificates of attendance may be requested post-event.
thursday, february 12
8:30 - 12:00 p.m.
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Board of Directors Meeting
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2:00 - 6:00 p.m.
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Technical Committee Meeting
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friday, february 13
Morning
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Optional Morning Activities
(Click on the activity to view details and pick-up times. All activities pick up at the Marriott Convention Center entrance, not the main lobby entrance. The convention center is located around the corner from Starbucks on the lobby floor.)
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2:00 - 6:00 p.m.
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Forum Registration Desk Open
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2:00 - 5:00 p.m.
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Exhibitor Set-Up & Video Recordings
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4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
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FSSA HERizon Welcome Meeting
Sponsored by Gene Ptacek and Son Fire Equipment and ORR Protection Systems, Inc.
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5:45 - 6:45 p.m.
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Annual Forum First Timer Meeting & Networking
Sponsored by SSi Fire Solutions
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7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
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Welcome Reception & Dinner
Sponsored by Johnson Controls
THEME: Valentine's Day! Wear pink, red, hearts, or even your favorite cupid costume. We'll be playing fun games throughout the night to keep the sparks, and hearts, flying.
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❤️saturday, february 14 ❤️
8:00 - 8:30 a.m.
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Breakfast
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8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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Exhibit Hall Open
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8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
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Opening Session, Committee Updates, and Exhibitor Video Introductions
FSSA President, Bob Ballard
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9:30 - 10:15 a.m.
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Technical Committee Updates
Lee Kaiser, Technical Committee Chair, Jessica Hubert, Interim Technical Director, and Tom Wysocki
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9:45 - 11:00 a.m.
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Spouse Breakfast
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10:15 - 10:35 a.m.
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Coffee Networking Break
Sponsored by Wesco HMB
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10:35 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
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12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
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Lunch
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1:00 - 1:50 p.m.
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Practical AI for Fire Protection Leaders: Faster Decisions, Leaner Operations, Better Service
Presented by: Stephenie Watson, LingoTek
Sponsored by Gene Ptacek and Son Fire Equipment
AI is no longer experimental - companies are using it today to reduce overhead, accelerate communication, and improve consistency across recruiting, scheduling, reporting, and customer service. This session breaks down AI fundamentals in plain language and then focuses on practical workflows fire protection organizations can implement quickly. Attendees will leave with an actionable framework, examples of high-impact use cases, and how to take your first step.
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1:50 - 2:20 p.m.
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Coffee Networking Break
Sponsored by VID FIREKILL
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2:20 - 3:10 p.m.
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Practical AFFF to SFFF Conversion: Considerations for Execution, Compliance, and Risk
Presented by: Benjamin Georgeson, SET, EIT, Summit Fire Consulting
The shift away from PFAS-containing Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) and towards Synthetic Fluorine-Free Foam (SFFF) is not just an environmental concern, but an urgent operational imperative driven by evolving regulatory and liability challenges. This session will explore some functional differences between AFFF and SFFF with specific focus on the practical implementation of foam conversion within existing facilities. Topics will include the primary drivers and concerns of owners and plant operators, design requirements for SFFF, potential conversion pitfalls, and considerations for remediating systems previously exposed to AFFF.
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3:10 - 4:00 p.m.
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Data Center Evolution: New Challenges for Fire Protection
Presented by: Tanner Burke, PE and Gage Weilert, with ACS Group
This presentation examines the technical intersection of evolving data center infrastructure and fire protection requirements. Drawing on their combined expertise in lithium-ion battery protection, hazardous materials analysis, and performance-based fire engineering, the presenters will address current and projected power density trends, liquid cooling technology implementations, emerging fire risks specific to high-density and liquid-cooled environments, and integration considerations for suppression system design. Attendees will gain actionable knowledge for addressing the protection challenges posed by next-generation data center facilities.
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4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
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Exhibit Networking Reception
Sponsored by ORR Protection Systems, Inc.
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sunday, february 15
7:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
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FSSA Presidents Council Breakfast
Sponsored by The Hiller Companies
FSSA Past Presidents Only
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8:00 - 8:45 a.m.
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Breakfast
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8:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
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Exhibit Hall Open
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8:45 - 9:45 a.m.
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Technical Session: Thermal Radiometry in Fire Protection: NFPA 72 Inclusion as an Initiating Device, Approvals, Applications, and System Design Criteria
Presented by: Rick Jeffress ARM, CET, CFPS, CHRS; Fike Corporation
Technical Track Sponsored by Johnson Controls
Thermal radiometry is a rapidly advancing fire detection technology offering long-range sensitivity, precise localization, and dual thermal/optical imaging capabilities far beyond traditional technologies. With its inclusion in NFPA 72 (2025) as an initiating device—supported by new approval standards—thermal radiometry is now positioned for widespread deployment in varied applications. Modern systems provide fixed-temperature, rate-of-rise, and growing fire by pixel count alarms, as well as cloud-connected event reporting/video recording and AI integration. This session will review the underlying technology, NFPA overview, approval pathways, and real-world applications in high-risk environments.
Business Session: Realizing the Benefits of an ESOP for Sellers and Their Companies
Presented by: Vince Capone and Steve Greenapple with SES ESOP Strategies
SES will discuss how an ESOP transaction can benefit the company, its owners and its employees. The discussion will cover various topics including, tax benefits, company valuation and financings. In addition, it will go through the process and roadmap on how to explore the concept and ultimately become an ESOP owned company.
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9:45 - 10:00 a.m.
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Coffee Networking Break
Sponsored by Stat-X Fire Suppression/UltraSense Sensors
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10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
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Technical Session: Same Hazards, New Pressures: Rethinking Small-Enclosure Fire Protection
Presented by: Brandon Estes and Nathan Lehr with Firetrace International
Technical Track Sponsored by Johnson Controls
Applications such as CNC machines and electrical cabinets may be familiar, but market expectations surrounding them are rapidly shifting. With changes in solution/agent availability, environmental expectations, and an increase in higher risk machining processes, fire protection strategies must be re-evaluated to cater to the needs of the industry. This presentation examines how expanding solution portfolios enables more tailored, cost-effective protection across various hazards. We’ll discuss new industry pressures, customer drivers, and why versatility and flexibility are key to meeting the needs of today’s CNC and electrical cabinet environments.
Business Session: Six Fatal Compensation Mistakes in Fire & Security: Avoiding Costly Missteps in Incentive Design
Presented by: Beth Carroll, Prosperio Group
In the Fire & Security industry—where growth depends on both service excellence and sales performance—getting your incentive compensation right is critical. In this focused session, Beth Carroll reveals the six most common (and most damaging) compensation design mistakes that companies make. From misaligning pay with company goals to ignoring legal landmines and demotivating top performers, this session offers hard-won insights specific to the challenges of Fire Protection and Security Systems firms. You'll walk away with a clearer understanding of how to build incentive plans that drive the right behaviors across sales, technicians, and operations—without creating compliance headaches or budget blowouts.
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11:00 - 11:20 a.m.
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Coffee Networking Break
Sponsored by Comprehensive Fire Technologies
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11:20 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.
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Technical Session: Basic Principles of Inert Gas Fire Suppression Systems
Presented by: Jerry Krouse, Suppression Systems Inc.
Technical Track Sponsored by Johnson Controls
This presentation will discuss the increasing popularity of inert gas fire suppression systems. Inert gases are gaining traction in our industry due to phase downs of HFC gases, and increased attention on all PFAS chemicals. Topics covered will include when and where inert gases may be more practical for suppression hazards that historically would have been protected with other clean agent gases, and the additional benefits of inert gases when it comes to system design and installation.
Business Sessions: State of FSSA followed by presentation by FPA Australia
Presented by: Bob Ballard, FSSA President and Simon Rickard, FPA Australia
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12:20 - 2:00 p.m.
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Exhibitor Breakdown
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12:20 - 2:00 p.m.
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Lunch on Your Own
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2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
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Forum Tournament Activity: Kickball and Beach Party
All attendees, spouses, and exhibitors are invited to join in the fun. There is no cost for this event, however donations will be accepted for the FSSA Educational Foundation. All donations received are 100% tax deductible.
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6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
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President's Reception & Banquet
Sponsored by Victaulic
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monday, february 16
8:45 - 9:45 a.m.
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Installer Division Breakfast Meeting
Sponsored by 3S Incorporated
Steve Rice, Chair & Scott Panowitz, Vice-Chair
Submit a topic to add to the agenda.
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8:45 - 9:45 a.m.
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Manufacturer Division Breakfast Meeting
Sponsored by Worthington Enterprises
Shannon Esopenko, Chair & Raymond Patterson, Vice-Chair
Submit a topic to add to the agenda.
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9:45 - 10:00 a.m.
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Coffee Network Break
Sponsored by Wesco HMB
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10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
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Joint Division Meeting
Steve Rice, Installer Division Chair & Shannon Esopenko, Manufacturer Division Chair
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11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
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Board of Directors Meeting
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