FireShowsWest

What FireShowsWest does

FireShowsWest operates an annual training conference and trade show serving firefighters and first responders across the 10 Western US states, with the 2026 edition scheduled for September 15-18, 2026 across Reno and Carson City, Nevada. The core product combines two-day Hands-On Training (H.O.T.) classes held at the Carson City Regional Training Facility, classroom lectures and workshops at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, and an exhibitor hall connecting attendees with fire service equipment suppliers. The organization also offers a Nevada HAZMAT Track restricted to grant-funded Nevada first responders and a scholarship program including the Dayle Wellbrock Scholarship Fund. Registration is tiered from $200 (single-day lecture) to $650 (full 2-day H.O.T./Workshop + Lecture), with group packages priced at $3,000 (5 Pack) and $5,850 (10 Pack); exhibitor booth sales and corporate sponsorships provide additional revenue streams.

The entity is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the FireShowsWest First Responders Training and Education Foundation (FFRTEF), established in 2018 in Nevada, though the event has run continuously since 1997. The organization is independent, not owned by any publication or external exhibition management group. Leadership includes President Bryon Hunt (Captain, Carson City Fire Department; owner of Hortons & Hunt), Executive Director/Secretary/Treasurer Trish Bonari, Vice President Mike Heidemann (also Executive Director of the Nevada State Firefighters' Association), and Directors Chris Bernardi, Jesse Horton, and Alan Ernst (Fire Chief, East Fork Fire Protection District). The Educational Committee, drawn from the 10 Western states, provides training program oversight. Revenue is generated through one-time registration fees, exhibitor booth rentals (requiring a 50% deposit), and corporate sponsorship packages, with no subscription or recurring revenue model and no external funding rounds.

Name

FireShowsWest

Legal name

FireShowsWest First Responders Training and Education Foundation

Website

https://fireshowswest.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

FireShowsWest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that produces an annual firefighter training conference and expo across Reno and Carson City, Nevada, serving career and volunteer first responders and equipment suppliers across the 10 Western US states through hands-on training, lectures, and an exhibitor hall.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fire Service Training and Education

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Firefighter & Fire Service Training (EDAOAMAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Corporate Conferences & Sales Kickoffs (MPAGAGAC)

Keywords

• Firefighter training conferences
• Hands-on training events
• First responder education
• Fire service expos
• Public safety training

Headquarters

HQ city

Sun City West

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Event Registration Fees: Revenue generated from individual and group registration packages for the annual conference. Options include 2-Day H.O.T./Workshop + Lecture ($650), 5 Pack ($3000), 10 Pack ($5850), and various single-day options ranging from $200-$500.
2. Exhibitor Booth Sales: Fire departments, equipment suppliers, and safety product companies rent booth space in the exhibit hall. Booth reservations require 50% deposit with final payment due 30 days prior to the event.
3. Sponsorship Packages: Corporate sponsors support the conference in exchange for branding visibility and exhibit presence. Sponsorship packages are available at various tiers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

FireShowsWest operates an annual conference and expo held in Reno and Carson City, Nevada, delivering hands-on training (H.O.T.) classes, classroom lectures, and workshops to firefighters and first responders across the Western United States. The organization also runs an exhibitor hall where fire service equipment suppliers showcase products, alongside specialized tracks such as the Nevada HAZMAT Track. It operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation supporting continuing education for career and volunteer fire personnel.

Product overview

FireShowsWest is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization operating as a single unified conference and training event. The core product is the annual FireShowsWest Conference & Expo, which combines Hands-On Training (H.O.T.) classes, lecture sessions, workshops, and an exhibitor hall into a comprehensive firefighter training experience. Additional offerings include Nevada HAZMAT Track certification opportunities and foundation scholarship programs for attendee support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FireShowsWest Conference & Expo Annual multi-day conference and trade show held September 15-18, 2026 in Reno, NV and Carson City, NV, providing hands-on training, classroom lectures, workshops, and an exhibitor hall for firefighters and first responders across the Western United States.
• Hands-On Training (H.O.T.) Classes Two-day intensive hands-on training sessions held at Carson City Regional Training Facility covering firefighting skills including live fire attack, vehicle extrication, vertical ventilation, and firefighter survival techniques.
• Lecture & Workshop Sessions Classroom educational sessions and workshops held at Grand Sierra Resort covering fire service topics, led by qualified instructors from across the country.
• Exhibitor Hall Trade show exhibition area where attendees connect with suppliers offering fire service equipment, tools, and services with knowledgeable representatives.
• FireShowsWest Foundation Scholarships Scholarship program providing financial assistance for first responders to attend the annual conference, including the Dayle Wellbrock Scholarship Fund.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FireShowsWest First Responders Training and Education Foundation (FFRTEF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe FireShowsWest First Responders Training and Education Foundation is the parent nonprofit organization that produces the FireShowsWest conference. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2018 as a Nevada corporation. The foundation oversees all training programs and educational initiatives.
• Hortons & HuntminorOthersHortons & Hunt is a sponsor of FireShowsWest. The company is owned by Bryon Hunt, President of FireShowsWest.
• State Fire MarshalminorOthersState Fire Marshal office is a sponsor of FireShowsWest conference.
• Nevada State Firefighters' Association (NSFA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSFA is a sponsor of FireShowsWest. Mike Heidemann, Vice President of FireShowsWest, also serves as Executive Director of NSFA, creating a direct partnership between the organizations.
• Leatherhead Concepts Inc.minorOthersLeatherhead Concepts Inc. is a sponsor of FireShowsWest. Chris Bernardi, Director of FireShowsWest, is also the Founder/President of Leatherhead Concepts Inc., which creates custom leather fire helmet chinstraps.
• Grand Sierra ResortcoreOthersGrand Sierra Resort is the exclusive hotel and main venue partner for FireShowsWest. The conference uses the resort for lectures, events, and lodging.
• Carson City Regional Training FacilitycoreOthersThe Carson City Regional Training Facility serves as the venue for hands-on training (H.O.T.) classes during the FireShowsWest conference.
• Educational CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn Educational Committee comprised of members from the 10 Western states provides oversight of training programs. Jesse Horton serves as Director and Education Committee Chair.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• TargetSolutions: Online training and records management platform for fire departments and EMS agencies, offering certification and continuing education courses. Comparable to FireShowsWest in serving firefighter training needs, but through on-demand digital courses rather than in-person events.
• Lexipol: Provider of online policy, training, and certification content for public safety agencies including fire, EMS, and law enforcement. Comparable to FireShowsWest as a fire-service training provider, but delivered through an online subscription model rather than in-person events.
• Vector Solutions: SaaS platform delivering online training and workforce management for public safety and industrial sectors, including fire service continuing education. Comparable to FireShowsWest as a training provider for firefighters, but operating as a year-round digital subscription rather than an annual event.
• Safety LMS (CareerCert / EMS Safety): Online certification and continuing education platform for EMS, fire, and healthcare public safety personnel. Comparable to FireShowsWest as a fire service training provider, but delivered through an on-demand digital subscription model.

Broad incumbents

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): The dominant US fire safety standards body, hosting a major annual conference and certification programs. Comparable to FireShowsWest in its training and conference activity targeting fire service professionals, but at a much larger national scope focused on codes and standards.
• IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters): Major labor union for professional firefighters in the US and Canada, operating training programs and events. Comparable in that it serves the same career firefighter demographic with training and education, but operates as a broadly-scoped labor and advocacy organization rather than a single event.

Others

• Fire Engineering: Long-running fire service publication and training content provider, including conference participation and educational resources. Comparable to FireShowsWest as a fire service training and education brand, but operates primarily through publishing and content rather than events.
• Firehouse.com: Major fire service media brand (Firehouse Magazine and website) covering training, equipment, and operations. Adjacent to FireShowsWest as a fire service information ecosystem player, though it operates as a publication rather than an event organizer.

Direct peers

• Fire-Rescue International (IAFC): The International Association of Fire Chiefs' annual conference and expo, drawing fire service leaders globally. Comparable to FireShowsWest as a multi-day event combining training, exhibits, and networking for fire service decision-makers, though at a national/international scale.
• FDIC International: The largest firefighter training conference in North America, organized by Clarion Events. Most directly comparable to FireShowsWest as a multi-day event combining hands-on training, classroom lectures, and a major exhibit hall serving career and volunteer firefighters.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/FireShowsWest
• Instagraminstagram.com/fireshowswest
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fireshowsreno

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FireShowsWest