Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
Annual Events Brings Together Leaders and Fosters Industry Connections
The Sacramento Valley Chapter of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) hosted the 8th annual trade show March 7, 2019, at Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln, California. Highlights of the show this year included the raffle, opportunities for networking, and an appearance by AFSA’s new President & CEO Debra McGuire, MBA, IOM, CAE.
“Our show gives our industry the opportunity to come together under one roof to spend several hours visiting, learning, and experiencing,” says Chapter Executive Director Paulene Norwood.
Attendees appreciated the opportunity to visit over 50 vendor booths. Most of the vendors who are regular attendees returned to share features of new and improved products. They featured dry valve demonstrations, speciality hangers, storage sprinkler heads, and a variety of tools used in the industry.
“It was great to see the different choices for storage heads. It’s just another option to consider when designing,” says Bill Norwood of Alwest Fire Protection, Roseville, California. “The trade show is the perfect opportunity to assess them in person, rather than just seeing a picture online.”
Vendors also appreciate the ability to talk to people firsthand. Ralph Watson of Globe Sprinkler, Standish, Michigan, states: “Next to [AFSA’s] national [convention and exhibition], this is the best show in the country. It is a large crowd and a great return on our investment.”
AFSA’s fourth president and first female CEO Debra McGuire has a long history of association management, but 2019 marked her inaugural year in the fire sprinkler industry. The trade show provided her with a holistic overview of the various components unique to fire sprinklers. Additionally, she helped draw names for some of the bigger prizes in the raffle, which included two large screen TVs donated by First Service Insurance, and the trip to Hawaii, which were among many other great prizes that all of the vendors contributed.
As always, those in attendance enjoyed the multiple opportunities for networking the trade show affords. “The Sacramento Valley AFSA trade show is one of the best regional events in the sprinkler industry. Due to the efforts of Paulene Norwood and her associates in the chapter, attendance is consistently through the roof. It is a unique event in that we get to talk with a mix of fitters, field managers, and company owners from a wide variety of companies throughout the day. We at General Air look forward to participating every year,” comments Ray Fremont, Jr. of General Air Products, Exton, Pennsylvania.
The trade show is held annually in early March. Check the Sacramento Valley Chapter website at sacvalleyafsa.org for the 2020 trade show announcement. If you are in the fire sprinkler industry, the AFSA Sacramento Valley trade show is an event you don’t want to miss! For more information regarding the trade show and local chapter membership, please contact Norwood by phone at (916) 296-0635, email: paulenesacvalleyafsa@gmail.com, or visit sacvalleyafsa.org. n
(From l to r): AFSA Chairman of the Board Wayne Weisz, Chapter Treasurer Bill Gray, Chapter Executive Director Paulene Norwood, Hawaii Trip Raffle Winner Rick Coats with Cen-Cal Fire, Chapter Vice Chairman Tamara Schissel, Chapter Voting Board Member Jordan Hopkins, Chapter Chairman Hal Burton, and Chapter Secretary Byron Weisz.
The product showroom floor was packed at the Sacramento Valley 2019 trade show.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Paulene Norwood is the executive director of the AFSA Sacramento Valley Chapter.
