Training, workshops, keynote speakers, vendor booths and thousands of fellow fire service professionals greet everyone attending FDIC International. Dinges Fire Company’s Nicholas C. Dinges, CEO, Bethany O’Connell, CMO, and Jeff Bryant, COO offer 10 ways to get the most out of your time in Indianapolis.

10 Ways to Blaze Through FDIC

  1. Pre-plan every minute of every day. This isn’t a relax and chill get-away. FDIC offers a full immersion into all things fire service. Start with the event schedule and prioritize the speakers you’d like to hear, the trainings you’d like to attend AND the products you’d like to see.
  2. You will walk! Literal miles of booths boosting all the products and resources needed by fire departments and firefighters lay before you. Use the Live Floor Plan to map where you will go and who you will visit.
  3. Bring a backpack. Even though you will pick up more than enough bags from vendors, bring a backpack. Backpacks are easier to carry and you can pack for your day – phone, charger, wallet, notebook, conference materials, snack, water bottle, etc.
  4. Divide and conquer. If attending with a group of people from your department, prepare a schedule that puts eyes on everything from workshops to speakers to vendors. Then meet at day’s end to recap and share what you’ve learned.
  5. Use a notebook to track the vendors and or products you want to learn more about OR take a picture of the product or vendor booth. This saves time sorting through piles of fliers and brochures when you get home.
  6. Make a “return visit” list. After perusing the show on day one, note who or what your whole department needs to see and head back on day two.
  7. Bring cash and a way to get large items home. Departments can buy items direct from the show floor. With some negotiation, you could receive a discount on larger items that you can take with you when the show ends. Cash and carry. First come first serve.
  8. Scan your conference ID only at vendors from which you want more information. Otherwise, you’ll be receiving more emails than you can read.
  9. Make time to sit. Keynote speakers and workshops offer a good place to rest those feet AND work the brain. These presenters know their ‘stuff’, and they are all in one place. Do NOT miss the opportunity to hear from them.
  10. Enjoy the brotherhood and fellowship gatherings. Most of these events are free, but some require a token or invitation from the hosting vendor, which you will encounter in the exhibit halls. In addition to having a good time, you’ll build a network of like-minded fire service professionals who will be a support long after FDIC closes. You are invited to DFC’s Customer Appreciation Party at 416 Wabash on Friday, April 29.

Final Note

Enjoy your time in Indy. Visit the sites and enjoy a good meal, but make reservations! See you at FDIC 2022!

DFC Sales Reps greet FDIC attendees in 2021.

DFC staff and sales representatives are out in force at FDIC visiting with customers and seeking the best products and partners to bring to their departments and customers.