Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
Mid-Year Chapter Leadership Conference Brings Leaders Together
The American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) brought together chapter leaders from across the country for its Mid-Year Chapter Leadership Conference, May 20-21, 2025. Held at AFSA’s offices in Richardson, Texas, this year’s event provided resources, education, training, and team building activities. “The conference was a great success and an opportunity for AFSA chapter leaders and staff to interact on a wide variety of topics,” comments AFSA’s Vice President of Membership & Chapter Development Meda Merritt, CAE. “It focuses on strengthening leadership skills and fostering meaningful dialogue around the challenges and successes experienced at the chapter level.”
This year’s event kicked off with the Outlaw Olympics—a fun and engaging team-building activity that grouped chapter leaders together to compete in various challenges. These exercises emphasized teamwork, communication, and practical skills. The next day, Matt Verderamo, group director at Well Built Construction Consulting, presented on “Growing Your Chapter” and AFSA staff provided training and updates on chapter-related programs and activities. To round out the conference, a social mixer was held that evening at Pin-stack for a night of bowling and games.
Danielle Fowler, Northeast sales manager at Potter Electric Signal and executive director for the Chesapeake Bay Chapter, says, “I’ve only missed one Leadership Conference since being an executive director, and it felt like I missed out on summer camp with all my friends! The team building and camaraderie that goes on in such a short amount of time is priceless. Every year, I learn something more to help with my chapter, and I’d like to think someone learns from me. My closest friends in the industry came from my AFSA events.”
Coleman Farrar, vice president/division manager, VSC Fire & Security, Van Buren, Ark., and executive director for AFSA’s Arkansas Chapter, comments, “I feel that attending the mid-year conference is extremely important to anyone who leads a chapter, not just the executive director. You can visit with and learn from other leaders who may have already found a good solution to an issue your chapter is facing. Spending time with other leaders makes you feel more comfortable asking for advice or support if needed. Everyone there shares similar interests in making their chapter better, and I have found it to be a very supportive group. I strongly encourage leaders in any chapter to attend. It can be a significant team-building event for the chapter, thus producing an even more effective result.”
Attending this conference exposes chapters leaders to best practices, teamwork, communication, leadership, problem-solving, and different perspectives. It’s encouraged that all chapter leaders make efforts to attend either the Mid-Year or the Convention Leadership Conference. Engaging with other chapter leaders helps to strengthen AFSA and its chapters. To get more involved locally or to find your chapter, visit firesprinkler.org
JOIN AFSA IN DC!
The Fall Chapter Leadership Conference is held annually during AFSA’s convention. Attendees enhance leadership skills, expand their professional network, and gain practical tools to support the growth and success of their local chapters and AFSA members. Mark your calendars for this conference to be held during AFSA44: Convention, Exhibition, and Apprentice Competition, October 15-18, 2025, in Washington, D.C. To learn more, email membership@firesprinkler.org.