The Coastal Virginia Fire Leadership Academy is presented by the Newport News Fire Department and is fiscally administered by the Friends of Newport News Fire Department Foundation.

Who? - Fire service leaders from across Coastal Virginia and beyond.

What? - Three-day immersive leadership experience.

When? - November 2-4, 2026

Where? - Holiday Inn - Newport News, 980 Omni Blvd, Newport News, VA 23606

Point of Contact? - Lt. Kiel Samsing, NNFD, Tel.: (757) 926-3027 or email at: samsingrk@nnva.gov

Gold Sponsor – $3000

Premier Event Partner (Limited to 3)

Benefits

▪️Premium 10’ x 10’ vendor booth in high-traffic location

▪️Company logo prominently displayed on:

▪️ Event banner

▪️Event program

▪️Registration signage

▪️Presentation screens during breaks

▪️ Recognition as a Gold Sponsor during opening and closing remarks

▪️ Full-page advertisement in digital event program

▪️ Promotional item included in attendee welcome bags

▪️ Opportunity to introduce one speaker (2-minute welcome)

▪️ Featured social media recognition before and after the event

▪️ Company logo on academy website with link

Silver Sponsor – $2000

Leadership Partner

Benefits

▪️Standard 10’ x 10’ vendor booth

▪️ Half-page advertisement in digital event program

▪️ Company logo on:

▪️ Event program

▪️Vendor signage

▪️Presentation slides

▪️Promotional item included in attendee bags

▪️Social media recognition before the event

▪️Recognition during vendor introductions

Bronze Sponsor – $1000

Supporting Partner

Benefits

▪️ Vendor booth

▪️Quarter-page advertisement in digital event program

▪️Company listed in sponsor section of program

▪️Recognition on event slideshow

▪️Social media thank-you following the event

Optional Exclusive Sponsorships

Breakfast Sponsor - $1,500 Signage, announcement, logo

Lunch Sponsor - $2,000 Signage, announcement, logo

Coffee Sponsor - $750 Logo at coffee stations

Staff Ride Bus - $2,500 Logo on buses and announcement

Program Description:

The inaugural Coastal Virginia Fire Leadership Academy is a three-day immersive leadership experience designed to develop, challenge, and connect current and emerging leaders within the fire service. The Academy was created around a simple belief: stronger leaders build stronger organizations, and stronger organizations better serve their communities.

Unlike a traditional conference, the Academy combines the lessons of history with the realities of modern fire service leadership. The experience begins with a staff ride at the historic Yorktown Battlefield, where participants will walk the ground, examine consequential leadership decisions, and reflect on timeless lessons involving strategy, communication, adaptability, courage, and command. The following two days bring together respected fire service leaders to share their experiences, perspectives, successes, and lessons learned throughout their careers.

The purpose of the Academy extends beyond professional development. It is an opportunity to bring fire service leaders from across Coastal Virginia and beyond together to build relationships, exchange ideas, challenge conventional thinking, and strengthen the network of leaders responsible for guiding their organizations into the future.

Built around the principles of Leadership, History, Brotherhood, and Purpose, the Coastal Virginia Fire Leadership Academy seeks to develop leaders who understand that leadership is ultimately an act of service. Participants will leave with new perspectives, stronger professional relationships, and practical lessons they can carry back to their departments and the communities they serve.

Our purpose is to create an experience that influences how fire service leaders think, decide, lead, and serve long after the Academy has ended.

Coastal Virginia Fire Leadership Academy Sponsorships