AFSA44 VSC NextGen Scholarship Attendee Highlights
Posted on November 3, 2025 by Lauren Milliman
What a week! Our teams are returning home from AFSA 44 – the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) Convention and National Apprenticeship Competition. Team members from all over the country joined us for a week of networking, fellowship and training. This year we were thrilled five of our VSC NextGen Scholarship winners join us as first timers.
Each year, the AFSA gives young professionals in the fire sprinkler industry a chance to attend the annual convention. The NextGen National Scholarship is awarded to those who qualify, covering the cost of attendance. This year there were 75 individuals who applied nationwide, 17 were from VSC. The five VSC NextGen attendees for AFSA44 were Robert Dalton, Chip Goza, Jay Ricketts, Matt Turner and Lily Yagos.
We had a chance to catch up with each of them after the convention and get their thoughts on how their first convention went. Going into the convention, the group admitted they were excited to be able to attend and make new connections with those from VSC and the industry, as well those they had only been able to listen to virtually for webinars and trainings. Robert Dalton stated “By attending the AFSA Conference, I knew I would be able to sit and talk to these individuals and be able to ask questions and get their input.”
We asked the group if anything surprised them or was different than they expected, and they all noted the size of the event (including the number of attendees, the expo hall and the amount of seminars) and, for an event that size, how fast paced and on-track the event stayed. Some even had to go back and review and rewrite their seminar notes to make sure they would make sense when they came back to them later. Matt Turner said he was really impressed with, “How the association was really focused on trying to get the next generation of the fire sprinkler industry into knowing the trade and the focus on working with High Schools.”
AFSA44 had numerous high points, and some favorites from the group included networking with industry professionals and checking out new products from manufacturers and suppliers in the Expo hall. They each attended several seminars covering various topics, but some of their favorites included AI, Women in the Industry, NFPA25 and Leadership. Robert mentioned. “The seminars really opened my eyes to what I need to focus on in order to be able to continue to grow in this industry.” Jay Ricketts added, “the seminars were very informative.” Lily added, “I loved getting to hear from women who are in the business and love what they do!”
The Apprentice Competition was also a highlight for those in attendance. The 5 NextGen scholarship winners all agreed that it would be nerve-wracking to install a fire sprinkler system in front of thousands of people. Jay said “The Apprentice Competition was a great motivator for apprentices in the field, and a great opportunity to learn and grow with great benefits for those that push themselves.” They also pointed out that it was interesting to see each Apprentice have their own techniques, but noted the anxiety they must have felt being watched by an audience watching their every move.
The first-timers were all extremely grateful for the opportunity, and hope they are able to attend future conventions and local chapter events in the future. They enjoyed the chance to meet with industry leaders as well as sit down with VSC leadership for lunch, and noted how it was an overall great experience.
