FDIC International (Fire Department Instructors Conference) is an annual firefighting conference and exhibition held at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. It is one of Indianapolis's biggest conventions.[1]
| FDIC International | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Conference & Expo |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Location(s) | Indiana Convention Center Lucas Oil Stadium |
| Years active | 1998–2019, 2021– |
| Inaugurated | 1998 |
| Most recent | April 15-20, 2024 |
| Previous event | April 24–29, 2023 |
| Next event | April 7-12, 2025 |
| Attendance | 36,000+ (2024) |
| Organized by | Clarion Events |
| Website | www |
Overview
editThe annual expo, organized by Clarion Events and hosted primarily at the Indiana Convention Center, features firefighting apparatus and fire industry technology. In 2016, it was attended by more than 30,000 firefighters, chiefs, officers and instructors from 53 countries.[2]
The conference has an economic impact on Indianapolis of about $35 to US$40 million.[3]
The conference was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19. It returned to the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in August 2021 with attendance down between 25% and 30%.[4]
It is scheduled to be held in Indianapolis through 2028.[5]
History
editThe first conference was held in 1929 in Chicago to discuss training measures. By 1939 the attendance had reached a high of 247 people from 28 states as well as Washington, D.C. Early host cities also include Memphis, Tennessee where it was hosted by the Memphis Fire Services and St. Louis hosted by the St. Louis Fire Department.[6] FDICI was established in Indianapolis in 1998.
References
edit- ^ "Thousands of firefighters arrive in Indy for convention". WISH TV. April 9, 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
- ^ Melillo, Joe (2016-04-22). "FDIC conference displays new safety gadgets for firefighters". WISH-TV. Retrieved 2016-12-09.
- ^ "Fire Department Instructors Convention brings big economic benefits to Indy". FOX59. April 20, 2015. Retrieved 26 April 2015.
- ^ "Fire Department Instructors Conference back in Indianapolis after 2020 cancelation". FOX59. August 2, 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- ^ "Convention organizer says more hotel rooms needed in downtown Indianapolis". Fox 59. Retrieved 2019-05-08.
- ^ "Fire Dept. Instructors Hold Conference at Memphis" (PDF). Fire Engineering. 2017-03-03.