The International Association of Fire Fighters is bringing their 56th biennial convention to Ottawa this year. The event, which hosts more than 2,000 delegates from across the U.S. and Canada, will be held from Monday through Friday, August 8–12, at the Shaw Centre. Delegates will stay at eight downtown hotels.
What is the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)?
The IAFF represents more than 329,000 full-time professional fire fighters and paramedics (more than 28,000 in Canada alone) in over 3,500 affiliates, with headquarters in Washington, D.C., and Ottawa. IAFF members protect more than 85 percent of the population in communities throughout the United States and Canada. The IAFF is also one of the most active lobbying organizations in Washington.
2022 convention theme
The theme for this year’s convention is A Commitment to Excellence. While in Ottawa, delegates will deliberate on a range of timely topics, including labour matters and internal business.
Who attends?
More than 2,000 professional fire fighters and paramedics representing over 3,500 IAFF locals from across Canada and the United States are expected to attend the convention.
Why Ottawa?
In its 100-year history, the IAFF Biennial Convention has never been held in Canada’s capital, and the local fire fighters’ union (IAFF local 162) lobbied hard for it to take place here, noting that Ottawa is a walkable city that’s easy to access by air, train, and car, and offers a wide variety of attractions and venues where attendees can network, relax, and enjoy the arts, culture, sports, and nature.
Partner sites
The IAFF conference is being hosted at the Shaw Centre, an award-winning convention centre located in downtown Ottawa near the Rideau Canal, the ByWard Market neighbourhood and Parliament Hill. Delegates are staying at eight partner hotels which are all conveniently located within a short walking distance to the Shaw Centre: Westin Ottawa, Ottawa Marriott, Delta City Centre, Lord Elgin Hotel, Sheraton Ottawa, Fairmont Château Laurier, Novotel Ottawa City Centre, and Les Suites Hotel.
At a glance
Event: IAFF 56th Biennial Convention
Host: International Association of Fire Fighters
Dates: August 8–12, 2022
Venue: Shaw Centre
Website: www.iaff.org/convention2022-enter
