The conference program, focused on training for company officers, received strong support and reviews each year. However, the Las Vegas location presented a challenge in generating walk-in, “show-only” attendance to the exhibit hall. After soliciting feedback from the exhibitor community, the decision was made to postpone the event.

“We feel positive about the fact that we've continued to listen to our customers—attendees, exhibitors and speakers,” said Ed Nichols, industry vice president with Reed Exhibitions. “There exists a sizeable group of conference attendees who are loyal to the FireRescue brand and who have enjoyed the quality education that we offered in Las Vegas and we will find a way to continue to serve that community. However, the manufacturers are looking to us, as show organizers, to offer them more, to reflect the changing dynamics and needs of their business. We are equally committed to doing that, and doing it right. We have stated since we launched the FireRescue Conference that if it didn't meet everyone's needs, we would go back and find a way to build that better conference.”

Nichols noted that strategies the FireRescue Conference will be looking at include the acquisition of an existing event, as well as joint venture opportunities. The acquisition and subsequent merger of the FireTech Reno Conference in 2005 was a direct result of industry feedback and the effort to create more value for customers. Reed Exhibitions, the world's leading tradeshow producer, and FireRescue magazine, the official magazine of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and an industry-leading publication, will continue to collaborate in the conference arena.

The team behind the FireRescue Conference, including Sales Director Pete Zezima and Sales Executive Nathan Sumpter, continue to manage Elsevier's EMS Today Conference and Exposition, also known as “the JEMS Conference.” EMS Today takes place this week, March 25–29 in Baltimore , Md. , and will have a record-setting exhibit hall and conference attendance.

“We have a fantastic magazine and trade show team,” said Jeff Berend, vice president/publisher of Elsevier Public Safety. “EMS Today is the leader in the emergency medical services industry. We look forward to collaborating with our partners in the fire industry to deliver something special in the fire service as well.”

Berend noted that this year the FireRescue magazine Company Officer of the Year award, which is presented annually, will be presented at the IAFC's Fire-Rescue International (FRI) 2008, in Denver Aug. 14–16. The award will be presented in conjunction with the IAFC's Company Officer Leadership Symposium, now in its second year as part of FRI.

Nichols pointed out that many partners have been an important part of the FireRescue Conference in Las Vegas . “So many were a big part of what we accomplished in Las Vegas , and what we intend to see grow in the future. Our thanks to Spec Rescue who organized our hands-on training, the Henderson Fire Department, which hosted the training, the Nevada Fire Chiefs Association, and so many other local agencies and individuals.”

Information on future plans for the FireRescue Conference will be published in FireRescue magazine, the FireRescue e-Newsletter and on www.Fire-Rescue.com.