Symposium in the Sun - International Association of Fire Chiefs 2026
Event Date
November 12–15, 2026
Location
Clearwater, FL
About This Show
AI-drafted summarySymposium in the Sun is an annual leadership conference for the fire and emergency services, produced by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) through its Volunteer & Combination Officers Section (VCOS). The leadership training available at this symposium helps address the unique needs of volunteer and combination leadership in a department, while the networking opportunities give attendees the chance to share ideas and solutions with colleagues from all over the country.
The event is aimed squarely at chief officers and other leaders who manage volunteer personnel. Powered by the IAFC's Volunteer & Combination Officers Section (VCOS), the event brings together chief officers who manage volunteer personnel within volunteer or combination fire, rescue, and EMS systems, providing the information, education, and representation needed to elevate professionalism and leadership across the fire service.
Beyond the classroom, the show floor connects departments with suppliers. The vendors attending can help departments of any size, giving attendees the tools, technology, and equipment necessary to help ensure everyone on the team goes home safely. Set on Florida's Gulf Coast in Clearwater, the symposium pairs practical professional development with a relaxed beachside setting well suited to peer networking.
Show Highlights
Symposium in the Sun is built around leadership development tailored to volunteer and combination departments. Core program elements include:
- Leadership training designed specifically for the realities of volunteer and combination departments, delivered through focused sessions and expert-led discussions.
- Main stage presentations, breakout workshops, and moderated panels covering current fire-service leadership topics.
- A vendor exhibit hall featuring companies offering tools, technology, and equipment for departments of every size.
- Structured networking connecting chief officers and leaders with peers from across the country to exchange ideas and share solutions.
Organizers seek presentations for the main stage, breakout workshops, and moderated panels, with a call for presentations typically issued in advance of the event.
Attendance
Attendance figures published for recent editions place the audience in the several-hundred range of fire-service leaders. Earlier promotional material described the networking opportunity as a chance to share ideas and solutions with more than 600 colleagues from all over the country. For a subsequent edition, organizers marketed the exhibit floor as a chance to get in front of 600–700 anticipated decision-makers. The audience is composed primarily of chief and company officers from volunteer and combination fire, rescue, and EMS departments.
Registration
Registration is handled through the IAFC. Prospective attendees can register via the official event pages at iafc.org/sun or iafc.org/vcossun.
For companies interested in exhibiting, the process runs through the IAFC exhibits team. Booth reservations have in past years been open to pre-approved companies only, with interested exhibitors asked to contact exhibits@iafc.org to request approval. Organizers have noted that a late fee of $200 may be added to any balance more than 30 days past due. Additional exhibitor and sponsorship questions can be directed to IAFC Exhibits Sales at (703) 896-4830.
History
Symposium in the Sun is the signature event of the IAFC's Volunteer & Combination Officers Section (VCOS) and has been held for many years in the Clearwater, Florida area each November. Recent editions include the 2022 symposium and subsequent annual gatherings, all hosted on Florida's Gulf Coast. The event has consistently drawn several hundred fire-service leaders; promotional materials for one edition cited more than 600 attending colleagues. Looking ahead, the show is scheduled to move to a new home: the 2028 and 2029 editions are slated for the Tradewinds Resort in St. Pete Beach, FL.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is Symposium in the Sun 2026 taking place?
Symposium in the Sun 2026 runs November 12–15, 2026 in Clearwater, Florida. The headquarters hotel is the Hilton Clearwater Beach at 400 Mandalay Avenue, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767.
Who should attend Symposium in the Sun?
The event is designed for chief officers and leaders who manage volunteer personnel within volunteer or combination fire, rescue, and EMS systems. It focuses on leadership training tailored to the unique needs of volunteer and combination departments.
Who organizes the event?
It is produced by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) through its Volunteer & Combination Officers Section (VCOS).
How do I register or exhibit?
Attendees can register through the official IAFC pages at iafc.org/sun or iafc.org/vcossun. Companies interested in exhibiting should contact the IAFC exhibits team at exhibits@iafc.org, as booth reservations have in the past been open to pre-approved companies, or call IAFC Exhibits Sales at (703) 896-4830.
What travel and parking options are available at the venue?
The nearest major airport is Tampa International Airport, roughly a 30–40 minute drive, with taxi fares averaging about $65 and Uber/Lyft around $21–$35. Parking at the Hilton is very limited with no self-parking; valet parking is $29 per day, and shuttle service runs between designated conference hotels.
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