Early March saw the latest round of the Aerial Firefighting North America (AFFNA) show return to Sacramento, California, for the first time since 2019. The show was held at the Safe Convention Center in downtown Sacramento for the first time in 2024.
This year's show featured many new and returning trade show exhibitors showcasing the latest in aerial firefighting technology and providing a forum for vendors and operators to learn about each other's products and operations.
Like previous years, this year's sessions featured many well-known and respected speakers who presented on topics related to aerial firefighting technology, operations, and product applications within the industry. In addition, a static display took place at McClellan Airtanker base, the headquarters of CALFIRE's air operations.
Tangent Link announced after the successful completion of the Aerial Firefighting North America show that the conference series will continue next year, with two global shows taking place in France and Australia in 2025.
The French show will be held from March 25 to 27 in Bordeaux, France, in partnership with the French Department of the Interior and France's aerial firefighting agency, Sécurité Civile. The Aerial Firefighting Europe show in 2025 will be held over three days and encompass technical workshops, conference sessions, a trade show, and various technical demonstrations.
"We look forward to returning to France in 2025 and wish to express our deep appreciation to the French government and regional agencies supporting this important event. We also look forward to adding Bordeaux and its rich aviation history to the list of cities to have hosted AFF Europe", said John Longhurst, CEO of Tangent Link.
Also in August 2025, the Aerial Firefighting series returns in its new biennial form to Australia, to the incredibly well-received destination of Dubbo, in New South Wales. The conference will again be supported by one of Australia's premier firefighting agencies, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, which will host the event at the RFS academy campus adjacent to the Dubbo Airport.
"The people of Dubbo and the New South Wales Rural Fire Service assisted in making the Australian AFF show in 2023 a resounding success, and we look forward to returning in 2025 to continue to facilitate business and agency successes in the Asia Pacific region," Longhurst noted.
