2026 AFCA Conference Information
May 24-27 | Red Deer, ABAbout the 2026 AFCA Conference and Trade Show
Get ready to be captivated as we unveil the incredible lineup for our AFCA Conference & Tradeshow in the vibrant city of Red Deer, Alberta. Discover a world of endless possibilities as we bring you the latest trends, cutting-edge technologies, and insights in the firefighting industry.
Join us at the dynamic Westerner Park event center for an immersive experience like no other. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your journey, this is the event to ignite your passion and propel you towards excellence.
Mark your calendar and get ready to embark on an extraordinary adventure with the AFCA Conference & Tradeshow!
Explore More! Enjoy what Red Deer has to offer by checking out Visiting Red Deer
Accommodations & Host Hotel
Red Deer Resort & Casino (Host Hotel)
Delegates of the 2026 AFCA Conference can self book accommodations at the Red Deer Resort & Casino located at 3310 50 Ave. Red Deer AB, T4N 3X9
Deluxe Two Queens -$154/ night + taxes
Two queen-size beds, bright decor, smart functionality with a spacious layout with a touches of relaxation and luxury. Free high-speed Internet.
Deluxe - One King Bed - $154/ night + taxes
323 sq ft luxury rooms feature one king-size bed, bright decor, with a spacious layout with touches of relaxation and luxury. Free high-speed Internet.
Club Level One King Bed - King - $204/ night + taxes
spacious 323 sq ft luxury rooms are beautifully appointed on the higher floors, refined settings, upgraded TV, VIP lounge access with included amenities such as breakfast/all day snacks and appetizers
Telephone: 403.346.2091
Email: reservations@rdrcasino.ca
Web Page: https://reddeerresortandcasino.ca
Delegates should identify themselves as members of Alberta Fire Chiefs Association.
Hotel Parking
Complimentary parking with Red Deer Resort and Casino
SANDMAN HOTEL RED DEER (Secondary Hotel)
Delegates of the 2026 AFCA Conference can book accommodations at the
Standard 1 Queen Room $119/ per night + taxes
Standard Room, 1 Queen bed, Fridge, Microwave, Tub with Shower, Free WiFi, 298 sq ft
Standard 2 Queen Room $119 / night + taxes
Standard Room, 2 Queen beds, Fridge, Microwave, Tub with Shower, Free WiFi, 298 sq ft
Standard Room 1 King Bed with Sofa Bed $125/ night + taxes
1 King Bed, Sofa Bed, Fridge, Microwave, Tub with Shower, Free WiFi, Free Parking, 298 sq ft
King Suite with King Bed, Kitchenette and Sofa-Bed $135/night + taxes
Standard Suite, 1 Bedroom, Living Room, Kitchenette, 1 King Bed, Sofa Bed, Tub with Shower, Free WiFi, Free Parking, 334 sq ft
Queen Suite with Queen Bed, Kitchenette and Sofa-Bed $145/ night + taxes
Private Bedroom, Living Room, Kitchenette, 1 Queen Bed, Sofa Bed, Tub with Shower, Free WiFi, Free Parking, 334 sq ft
Telephone: 403-343-7400
Sandman Hotel Red Deer Website: sandmanhotels.com/red-deer
Delegates should identify themselves as members of Alberta Fire Chiefs Association.
Bookings can be made by calling 1-800-SANDMAN or 403-343-7400 and quoting the following block name: Alberta Fire Chiefs Association BLOCK CODE: AFCA
Reservations can be cancelled up to 24 hours prior to arrival without penalty. If an individual reservation is cancelled within 24 hours of the scheduled arrival, a cancellation fee equal to one (1) night’s room revenue will be charged. Additional costs for triple and quadruple occupancy may apply.
Room block will close on April 22, 2026
Hotel Parking
Parking is available and free of charge with your booking
Tradeshow - Westerner Park
Red Deer, Alberta
The Alberta Fire Chiefs Association will be hosting its 78th Annual Conference and Trade Show at Westerner Park located at 4847A 19 St, Red Deer, AB. The Trade Show is scheduled on Sunday, May 24 from 18:00 to 20:00 and Monday, May 25 from 09:00 to 16:00.
You must be a registered Trade Member of the Alberta Fire Chiefs Association to participate in the 2026 Trade Show.
Set-up time for Trade Show participants takes place Sunday, May 24 from 08:00 to 15:30 for all inside trade show booths.
Trades must have a booth in order to do business on the trade show floor.
All booths and displays must remain until 4:00 pm on Monday, May 25, 2026. AFCA will consider an early departure administration fee of $250 if you depart earlier then the end of the show.
INSURANCE
Proof of insurance certificate is required.
$2 Million, listing Westerner Park and AFCA on the certificate.
Insurance Certificate is due at time of payment. Please forward to Kelly Legris Kelly@kelconsulting.com. Booth and Apparatus spots will be confirmed upon receipt of the insurance certificate.
CANOPIES
Inside canopies must have CANULC S109 Fire Rating in order to be inside the pavilion. A canopy without this rating will be removed.
LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES
Electric vehicles with Lithium-ion batteries are required to have an alternative way to show features. Electric vehicles can not be charged inside either exhibition halls.
Portable tools with Lithium-Ion batteries can not be charged overnight inside the exhibition halls.
Fire apparatus vehicles must have a 1/4 tank of fuel or less while parked inside the exhibition halls.
Additional Trade Show Information Links
Additional power is purchased through Goodkey Show Services: AFCA26 - Exhibitor Kit
Internet is purchased through: Westerner Form 2025 TotalComm (1)
Trade Show Floor Plan Neeralta and Exhibition Hall
LOAD-IN ACCESS
Trades can commence loading into Neeralta Pavilion and Exhibition Hall from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Apparatus will commence parking at 08:00 am in the trade halls. Apparatus parking in Neeralta Hall will enter through Loading Dock # 1 Overhead Door and apparatus parking in Exhibition Hall will enter through Loading Dock #2 Overhead door.
Trades delivering booth items can access Loading Dock #3 which is a raised dock.
Trade Show Hours
The Trade Show is scheduled for Sunday, May 24 from 17:00 to 20:00 and Monday, May 25 from 09:00 to 16:00.
LOAD OUT
Trades can commence to pack up and remove their booth on Monday, May 25 at 16:00.
All booths must be cleared by Monday, May 25 in the evening. Trade Members are responsible for removal of their booth and departure with their preferred courier.
There is a fee of $1,000 invoiced to Trades that leave vehicles or material in the trade halls past the scheduled time.
Annual Golf Tournament - Sylvan Lake Golf and Country Club, Details coming soon!
$200.00
Partners Program- Details and events coming soon
The Partner's Program fee of $250 plus GST covers the following conference items:
- Trade Show welcome reception on Sunday, May 24, Westerner Park, Red Deer
- Meet & Greet Coffee Monday, May 25th
- Breakfast on Monday and Tuesday
- Lunch on Monday in the Trade Show at the Westerner Park, Red Deer
- Dedicated speaker session for the Partners Program, Tuesday, May 26
- Lunch on Tuesday.
- Breakfast on Wednesday at Red Deer Resort and Casino.
- AFCA Annual Banquet on Tuesday, May 26 at the Red Deer Resort and Casino .
The Partner's Program Committee has planned extra activities for the 2026 conference. Please visit the Partners Program Page.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Conference Support Brittany Bussiere, conference@afcastaging.ca
$250.00
Sponsors
We invite you to join us as a sponsor and play a crucial role in making this event an unforgettable experience. If you're eager to make a difference, head over to our Sponsorship Page and discover the exciting opportunities that await you. As a sponsor, your company logo will be proudly showcased alongside other esteemed partners, and you may even have the chance to share potential links to your website, depending on our Sponsorship Levels. Help us shape the future of the AFCA Conference by becoming a sponsor today!
AFCA would like to take this opportunity to thank 2025 Conference Sponsors
Frequently Asked Questions
The following is a guide to assist you in getting the most out of this 78th Annual Conference and Trade Show.
The AFCA will kick-off the Conference on Sunday, May 24th with an opening keynote speaker, two workshops followed by Member Round Table sessions prior to the Opening Ceremonies and Memorial Service.
The Conference will conclude on Wednesday, May 27th. Please reference the Conference Schedule to view the details and full line-up of speakers.
ARE THERE ANY ADVANTAGES FOR EARLY REGISTRATION?
Yes, you’ll save $100.00 with early bird registration. Please visit the Delegate Registration Page and complete your registration.
Please view the Conference Schedule to see the line up of keynote speakers and workshop speakers.
Please view the link Speakers Page to see the great line up of speakers for the 2026 Conference and Trade Show.
I CAN’T ATTEND THE WHOLE CONFERENCE. ARE THERE OPTIONS TO PARTICIPATE FOR ONE DAY?
Yes, there is a day pass option for those who would like to participate in a portion but not all of the Conference. Please visit the Delegate Registration Page and complete your registration.
DELEGATE GROUP REGISTRATIONS
Departments have the option to register more than one fire service member on a registration form.
The group administrator can manage the registrations. Add the number of delegates you would like to register, and the complete the attendee details on the Checkout Page.
You can also pay the fees online with a credit card.
When the registrations are complete the Group Administrator will receive an email with attendee tickets and information. Please check your spam and junk folder for the email if your server blocks external emails.
If you require assistance, please contact Conference Coordinator Kelly Legris at Kelly@kelconsulting.com.
CAN MY REGISTERED PARTNER ATTEND ANY OF THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER PRESENTATIONS?
Yes. We would be pleased to have your partner participate. Please refer to the Partners Program Page for schedule of dates and times.
HOW WILL I BE IDENTIFIED AS A CONFERENCE PARTICIPANT?
All registered delegates will receive an Event Name Badge. Your Event Badge will allow access to all activities throughout the Conference. Delegates and Trades are distinguished by the name badge. Day passes will be valid for the date indicated on the badge.
CONFERENCE APP
The AFCA will have a Conference App at the AFCA 2026 Annual Conference and Trade Show. The App will include the conference schedule; speakers; trade show floor plan; the ability to communicate between delegates, amongst other features. The conference app will be available to registered delegates, trade members and partners. Registrants must provide an email address in order to access the conference app.
WILL THERE BE A GOLF TOURNAMENT THIS YEAR?
Golf BBQ Only Tickets
The golf tournament BBQ is open to non-golfers. Please join your AFCA members, trades and sponsors for a delicious BBQ dinner and an opportunity to reconnect with your AFCA friends. The fee for the BBQ only will be announced soon. Please follow the link to the Golf Registration Page.
WHAT CAN MY PARTNER PARTICIPATE IN WHILE I AM ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE?
Red Deer has many attractions and entertainment options. Several activities are being planned for partners to participate. Please visit the Partner's Program Page for details, schedule, off property activities and associated fees. If your partner/guest is interested in any off-site activities please complete the on-line Partner Program registration form
WHAT IS THE ATTIRE FOR THE CONFERENCE AND TRADE SHOW?
The Opening Ceremonies on Sunday, May 24th. Tuesday, May 26th evening will be the Annual Banquet will be held at the Red Deer Resort and Casino. This event has a formal dress code. Class A's for the opening ceremony events on Sunday evening and then Class A's again for the Banquet. No Hats. Thereafter, business casual or station wear is the standard everywhere else.
If you are golfing, the dress code is standard golf attire.
CAN I MAKE A DONATION TO THE SILENT AUCTION?
Yes, the AFCA would be pleased to accept silent auction donations. The AFCA 2026 Conference Silent Auction benefactor will be the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation.