Welcome To The 2024 SPAAMFAA Winter Conference

February 21-24 | Memphis, TN

THE CONFERENCE TAKES PLACE FEBRUARY 21-24, 2024

The Board of Trustees in partnership with the Fire Museum of Memphis would like to invite you and your family to join us for the 2024 SPAAMFAA Winter National in the city of Memphis. This event promises to be an exciting opportunity for all of us to come together, share our passion for antique and modern fire apparatus, and celebrate the rich history of firefighting.

The convention will take place from February 21st to the 24th, 2024, at the Fire Museum of Memphis. This incredible venue provides a unique opportunity to explore the history of firefighting and the role that fire departments have played in our communities throughout the years. We encourage you to take the time to visit the exhibits and immerse yourself in the rich history of firefighting.

In addition to the convention, we have planned a number of exciting tours that we know you will enjoy. These include a visit to Graceland, the iconic home of Elvis Presley, as well as tours of local fire departments, the Memphis communication center, and Memphis repair shops. These tours will provide an opportunity to see firsthand the latest developments in firefighting technology and the ways in which fire departments are working to keep our communities safe.

We look forward to welcoming you to Memphis for this exciting event. We are confident that you will find the convention and tours to be informative, engaging, and fun. We look forward to seeing you there!

Hotel Accomodations

Click the link below and enter your dates to see Member pricing.

CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL BOOKING LINK

If you decide to call the hotel (901.525.1800) and book that way, let them know you are with the SPAAMFAA GRP and you will get the Member rate.

Airport Information

Memphis International Airport (MEM) is located about 30 minutes from the hotel (~12 miles).

2491 Winchester Rd.
Memphis, TN 38116

Car Rental

Memphis International Airport (MEM) is served by nine national rental car companies. are located in the Ground Transportation Center.

To get to the Ground Transportation Center, upon leaving your airline gate please proceed to the B Terminal and proceed to the lower level (one level below baggage claim). Follow “Rental Cars” signage to the Ground Transportation Center. Once you enter the Ground Transportation Center, signs will point you to your rental car counter.

Fire Apparatus Registration

Fee: $20 per rig

Merchandise

Items Available for Preorder

Challenge Coin $15 each

T-shirt:

Small – XL - $20

2XL – 5XL - $22

Wednesday - Memphis Discovery Tour

Get to know Memphis and its top attractions on this educational and entertaining motor coach tour. The adventure begins at BB King’s Blues Club on Beale Street. In addition to Beale Street, one of the most iconic streets in America, visit the Lorraine Motel to see the balcony where Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. Stop to watch the famous duck march at the Peabody Memphis Crowne Plaza Hotel. Make a pit stop at the award-winning Central BBQ to sample some of the best barbecue in Memphis (tasting included).

Other sites to see may include the Victorian Village district, the Orpheum Theatre, the Gibson Guitar Factory, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, AutoZone Park (home of the AAA baseball Memphis Redbirds), historic Cotton Row, Court Square Center, the Shelby County Courthouse, St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral. Elvis fans, be sure to check out the Chisca on Main, where one of rock 'n' roll's pioneering disk jockeys, ‘Daddy-O’ Dewey Philips, played Elvis for the first time, and the Lauderdale Courts, one of Elvis’ early apartments.

Also included is admission to the Memphis Rock N' Soul Museum, chronicling the story of musical pioneers who, for the love of music, overcame racial and socio-economic barriers to create the sound that shook the entire music world.

Cost: $50 per person (does not include any gift shop purchases)

Thursday - Fire Stations Tour

The bus tour visiting the Memphis fire repair shop, communication building, and three fire departments with a lunch stop at Beale St. is a fantastic opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of Memphis's fire service.

The tour will start at the Memphis fire repair shop, where you will see firsthand the skilled work that goes into repairing and maintaining firefighting equipment. You will have the chance to speak with the experts who work in the shop and ask questions about the tools and techniques that they use to keep the city's firefighting apparatus in top condition.

From there, the tour will move on to the Memphis communication building, where you will learn about the vital role that dispatchers play in coordinating emergency responses. You will have the chance to see the technology and systems that are used to manage emergency calls and track the movements of emergency vehicles throughout the city.

Next, the tour will visit three of Memphis's fire departments, where you will meet the firefighters who work to keep the city safe every day. You will get an inside look at the equipment and facilities that firefighters use to respond to emergencies, and you will have the chance to speak with the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect the community.

The tour will pause for lunch at Beale St., one of Memphis's most iconic cultural hotspots. Here, you will have the opportunity to sample some of the city's famous barbecue and enjoy the lively atmosphere that makes Beale St. such a beloved destination.

Overall, this bus tour is an informative and exciting way to explore the inner workings of Memphis's fire service and gain a deeper appreciation for the dedication and skill of the men and women who work to keep the city safe.

Cost: $50 per person

Friday (PLAN A) - Graceland Tour

A visit to Graceland is a unique and unforgettable experience that takes you on a journey through the life and legacy of one of the most iconic and beloved musicians in history, Elvis Presley.

As you enter the Graceland estate, you will be struck by the sheer size and beauty of the property. The lush grounds are meticulously maintained, and the iconic white-columned mansion stands tall at the center.

Upon entering the mansion, you will be transported back in time to the 1960s and 70s, when Elvis lived and worked at Graceland. You will be guided through the various rooms and spaces in the mansion, each one decorated with the same furnishings and decor that Elvis himself chose. From the brightly-colored Jungle Room to the opulent Music Room, you will get a sense of Elvis's unique style and personality.

One of the most moving parts of the tour is the visit to the Meditation Garden, where Elvis and members of his family are buried. This peaceful and serene spot is a reminder of the impact that Elvis had on the world, and the love and devotion that his fans still hold for him to this day.

In addition to the mansion tour, there are a number of other exhibits and attractions to explore at Graceland. The Elvis Presley Automobile Museum showcases some of the cars that Elvis owned and loved throughout his life, while the Elvis in Hollywood exhibit highlights his film career. You can also visit the Trophy Building, which houses a collection of Elvis's gold records and other awards.

Overall, a visit to Graceland is a truly unique and immersive experience that will leave you with a deeper appreciation for Elvis's music, style, and impact on popular culture.

Cost: $120 per person (includes bus transportation and tour of Elvis’ Graceland)

Friday (PLAN B) - Memphis Mojo Tour

The Home of the Blues comes alive on this city tour aboard the nation’s only music bus. All of the guides on this tour are professional Beale Street musicians who play and sing selections from the city’s rich musical heritage, while entertaining you with comedy, history, and behind-the-scenes stories of your favorite Memphis personalities.

Along the way, you will see:

Sun Studio
Beale Street
Stax Studio
The Lorraine Motel
Cotton Row
Peabody Hotel
Overton Park
Historic Central Gardens
St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital
Early homes of Elvis, B. B. King, and Johnny Cash

Enjoy an exciting introduction to Memphis on this action-packed drive through the city. It’s great fun for all ages!

(Note: Admissions to attractions not included on the Memphis Mojo Tour.)

Cost: $50 per person

Conference Location

Fire Museum of Memphis
118 Adams Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103

Schedule

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST
7:30 am Registration Opens
9:00 am SPAAMFAA Board of Trustees meetings at Fire Museum of Memphis (FMOM)
9:00 am Discovery Tour departs Crowne Plaza Hotel Lunch will be on Beale Street (on your own – see restaurant list below)
11:45 am SPAAMFAA Board of Trustees Luncheon at FMOM
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm SPAAMFAA Committee Meetings at Fire Museum of Memphis (FMOM)
2:00 pm Discovery Tour arrives back at Crowne Plaza Hotel
Evening on your own in Memphis

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22ND
7:30 am Registration Opens
9:00 am Bus leaves for Memphis Fire Tour (FedEx Fire Hub, MFD Headquarters, Station 11, Lunch, Apparatus Maintenance)
Lunch will be on Beale Street (on your own – see restaurant list below)
2:00 pm Bus leaves Beale Street to go to Apparatus Maintenance
4:00pm Memphis Fire Tour arrives back at Crowne Plaza Hotel
Dinner on your own
7:00 pm Antique Apparatus presentation with Bill Adelman, Curator, Fire Museum of Memphis at Crowne Plaza Hotel

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23RD
7:30 am Registration Opens

Plan A:
-> 8:30 am Bus leaves for Graceland Tour – Lunch is on your own at any of Graceland’s fine restaurants.
-> 2:30 pm Bus arrives back at Crowne Plaza Hotel from Graceland.
Plan B:
-> 9:30 am Bus leaves for Backbeat Tour’s Big Mojo Tour
-> 12:30 pm Lunch will be on Beale Street (on your own – see restaurant list below)
-> 2:30 pm Bus arrives back at Crowne Plaza Hotel.

3:00 pm Free Time
8:00 pm SPAAMFAA Membership meeting at FMOM

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH
8:00 am Registration Opens
9:00 am Muster Begins at Fire Museum of Memphis
3:00 pm Muster Ends
6:00 pm Cocktail Hour at Fire Museum of Memphis
7:00 pm Banquet - Memphis Style BBQ/Keynote Speaker - TBD at Fire Museum of Memphis

Places to eat on or near beale street

Jerry Lee Lewis' Cafe & Honky Tonk

4.3(821) · $$ · Restaurant

310 Beale St

Live music & Cajun-Creole cooking

Silky O'Sullivan's

4.2(2.8K) · $$ · Grill

Located on the corner of Beale St &, 183 Beale Street, S B.B. King Blvd

Itta Bena

4.6(826) · $$$ · Southern

145 Beale St

Opens 5 PM

Blues City Cafe

4.4(5.7K) · $$ · Barbecue

138 Beale St

Dyer's Burgers

4.1(2K) · $ · Hamburger

205 Beale St

Wet Willie's

4.5(1.2K) · $$ · Restaurant

209 Beale St

SugaShack

4.7(702) · Soul

392 Beale St

CIMAS Restaurant

4.0(56) · Restaurant

33 Beale St

Opens 5 PM

Hard Rock Cafe

3.9(2.3K) · $$ · American

126 Beale St

Kings Palace Cafe

4.1(860) · $$ · Restaurant

162 Beale St

Pavilion

5.0(1) · Restaurant

220 Beale St

The Pig On Beale

3.8(1.8K) · $$ · Barbecue

167 Beale St

B.B. King's Blues Club

4.6(9.2K) · $$ · Barbecue

143 Beale St

SPAAMFAA Winter 2024 Registration

First, fill out the form below. Once complete, scoll down to purchase tickets! If you have any questions/concerns, please contact Daniel at 901.636.5650

Please Choose 'Online Admission Sale' As The Ordering Method At Checkout!