International Association of Fire Fighters selects Ohio for 2014 Convention

In a floor vote held at the International Association of Fire Fighters’ (IAFF) 50th annual convention, delegates selected Cincinnati, Ohio as the site for the IAFF’s 2014 convention.

After a bid process that narrowed the field to two cities, Cincinnati USA Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB)won by a sizable margin, earning 947 votes to just 490 for Seattle, Wash. The event is expected to attract more than 2,500 attendees, using nearly 9,000 hotel room nights, and delivering an economic impact of at least $2.6 million to the region.

The IAFF, headquartered in Washington DC, represents more than 298,000 full-time professional fire fighters and paramedics who protect 85 percent of the nation’s population. More than 3,200 affiliates and their members protect communities in every state and across Canada. The 2014 convention will be hosted by Cincinnati Fire Fighters Union Local 48, led by President Marc Monahan.

“This is another great victory in what has become a long string of significant convention wins for Cincinnati USA,” said Dan Lincoln, president and CEO of the Cincinnati USA CVB. “This one is especially gratifying because it was put to a vote of the union delegates and they chose Cincinnati. Our fire fighters and paramedics commit their lives to protecting the people in this region, and we look forward to honoring that commitment by making their 2014 convention the most productive and memorable one the IAFF has ever hosted.”

Fire Fighters and staff at Cincinnati’s Local 48 worked hand-in-hand with the CVB team to develop an awareness campaign, educate union delegates about Cincinnati USA and bring home a winning vote.

The Fire Fighters news comes on the heels of last year’s announcement by the National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the world’s largest organization of law enforcement officers with more than 325,000 members in more than 2,100 lodges, who similarly voted to select Cincinnati USA as the site for their 2013 national conference and exposition.

“We are very humbled that the Police and the Fire Fighters, the men and women on the front lines who make our communities safe and vibrant, have selected Cincinnati for their conventions,” said Mark Mallory, Cincinnati mayor. “More than 150 years ago, Cincinnati became home to the nation’s first full-time fire department, and we look forward to building on that legacy by helping them deliver an extraordinary convention in 2014.”

In 1853, the Cincinnati city council passed an ordinance to establish the nation’s first full-time, paid fire department, and provided the pattern for fire departments all over the country for the next 50 or more years. In 1918, Local 48 was established as one of the original 55 chartered IAFF locals.

“Our Fire Fighters take great pride in the work they do and great pride in the city they serve,” said Robert Wright, Cincinnati fire chief. “This campaign gave us a great opportunity to demonstrate both on a national stage. We’re excited to host our brothers and sisters from across the country in 2014 and show them all the terrific things Cincinnati has to offer.”