2011 Conference

Baus_Photo.jpgMembers of the WSFCA,

I hope your New Year is off to a Happy and Safe beginning. 

The Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association Board of Directors has reviewed the 2010 conference evaluations and we are making changes on this year’s conference based on your comments to provide a better experience for you.

First of all, the hotel registration will be done differently this year.  We have secured some larger blocks of rooms in the downtown hotels and are working to improve this year’s process.  The La Crosse Area Convention & Visitors Bureau will handle all hotel reservations through their housing bureau.  In your registration packet, there will be a list of hotels.  From this list, you will select several choices in order of priority.  Once your conference registration is received by the WSFCA, your hotel will be assigned by the Housing Bureau on what is available in your priority selection.  This process will prevent overbooking of rooms and ensures only our conference attendees receive the best available rooms. Remember, you must register for the conference with WSFCA before your hotel room will be assigned.  After reviewing many options, this seemed to be the best solution based on comments from the membership.  The registration packets will be coming out soon, so send your registration and reservations in as soon as possible.

Second, the Thursday night Weary Traveler event has been reconstructed. We will again host a gathering with a meal in the park between the hotel and the river. However, to better plan for attendance we are asking for you to indicate your attendance intention on the registration form. The board members will be cooking and serving the food. A committee has been very busy planning this and I believe it will be a very nice evening.

Third, several of our wives have been working with the La Crosse Area Convention & Visitors Bureau to design a great visit for your partners as well. A program themed “Relax, Refresh, Renew” is being planned. The intent is to provide a relaxing opportunity for your partners to enjoy what La Crosse has to offer. Please pay special attention to the registration form this year as it will be slightly different. We are attempting to gather additional information to better serve you and your partners. We will be looking for contact information for your partner. Please discuss the registration options with them and return all essential information to registration.

First Vice President Doug Doefer has put together a great schedule of speakers for a nice variety of sessions. He has made some slight changes to the schedule with the intent of meeting more of your needs as mentioned in your evaluation comments.

You will receive the final conference agenda and notification that registration is open before the end of this month via email and US mail. Our next issue of Wisconsin Fire Chief magazine will also include this information. Please watch for this notification. Information will also be posted on our Web site.

Please be safe and take care of yourself,

Jack Baus
President, Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs’ Association
715-232-2414
jbaus@menomonie-wi.gov