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INSTRUCTOR resources

Prepare for your role as a Strive for Excellence instructor with essential information and deadlines.

In This Section

Travel/Hotel

Travel

  • Use World Travel to book your flight (by Jan. 1) and mention the Strive for Excellence event. Please plan to arrive one day prior to your first presentation and depart no later than the day after your final presentation (view your approved travel dates here).
    • The IAFF will be billed directly for your airfare by World Travel.
    • If you wish to arrive prior to or stay beyond your approved travel dates, email [email protected] prior to making airline reservations. These requests are based on availability. The IAFF does not reimburse for first-class tickets and the airfare must be booked through World Travel unless authorized prior to booking.
  • To book your flight or make changes to your flight, please call (865) 288-1934 or email [email protected] during their normal business hours. (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET)
    • After-hours emergency assistance is available 24 hours a day for your convenience at the following number (refer to code: S-5CSK when calling): (865) 288-1934 Domestic/International (collect calls accepted)
    • If you make changes to your flight, email [email protected] with any changes to arrival or departure dates immediately.
  • If you plan to drive, email [email protected] to let us know. The IAFF will reimburse at the IRS rate for roundtrip mileage on a personal vehicle up to 800 miles.
  • Onsite ground transportation, as well as reasonable expenses for transportation between your home (or place of business) and the airport, plus the cost of parking at the airport, if applicable, will be reimbursed. Receipts must be provided for reimbursement.

Hotel

A reservation has been made for you at the MGM Grand (the conference hotel) and will be invoiced to the IAFF. You will be required to leave a personal credit card on file with the hotel for incidental expenses on arrival. For more information regarding housing, email [email protected]  with “Strive for Excellence Housing – [your name]” as the subject line.

Instructor Bios

Please provide a short bio (no more than 1,500 characters) with your title, background, and experience to be included in the event information on the IAFF mobile app.

If you have completed a bio for a previous IAFF event, you can also update your information, if needed.

You must have an IAFF website account to create or update your bio. If you do not have an IAFF account, create one here. Then use this link to access your bio.

Here is a direct link to your bio if you already have an IAFF account. You can also upload your picture to your profile if you’ve not done so already.

Deadline for uploading or updating your bio: Jan. 1, 2026.

PowerPoint Presentations

PowerPoint presentations are due by Jan. 1, 2026.

  1. Download the PowerPoint template when preparing your presentation.
  2. If you have any videos in your presentation(s), they should not be linked from YouTube or other websites. They should be embedded in your slide(s) using MP4 format, which is commonly compatible with Windows systems.
  3. Your presentation file should be named using Workshop Title and Last Name (example: How to Build a Better Widget_Smith)
  4. Upload your presentation and any handouts using this Dropbox link.
  5. PDFs of the presentations, and any handouts, will be available to attendees on the IAFF mobile app. No hardcopies or printed materials will be distributed, unless requested by instructors in advance.

An IAFF staff member will contact each Instructor group to review the workshop description and answer questions. Please inform them if your presentation slides are proprietary and unable to be IAFF branded. Final approved presentation slides will be returned to you after review by IAFF staff.

Audio/Visual Equipment Needs

A projector, screen, and laptop will be provided. Additional equipment may be available upon request (microphones, podiums, etc.)

If you have additional A/V needs or specific setup requests, please email [email protected]. The deadline for submitting these requests is Jan. 1, 2026.

Service Fees and Expense Reimbursement

The IAFF will cover reasonable travel expenses to include taxi (or Uber, etc.) and parking. The IAFF also provides $90 (USD) out-of-pocket reimbursement for meals for your travel days and the day you present. Additionally, the IAFF will pay a service fee of $410 (USD) for the day(s) you present.

For instructors already in the IAFF’s Concur expense system, a report title and instructions will be emailed to you, and you will need to submit the report by May 2, 2026.

For instructors who are not in the Concur expense system, please use the vouchers below. Email vouchers and copies of applicable receipts to [email protected].

NOTE: The IAFF does not reimburse for the following expenses:

  • Accommodations or expenses for traveling companions
  • Entertainment
  • Fuel/gas
  • Internet service
  • Materials/printing/copies
  • Rental cars
  • Room service
  • Shipping and handling charges
  • Telephone calls
  • Meals

If you are submitting expense vouchers via email, please complete the W-9 (US) or W8-BEN-E (Canada) form.

Key Deadlines

By Jan. 1, 2026

  • Book flights
  • Let us know about special AV or set-up needs
  • Update or submit instructor bio
  • Upload PowerPoint presentation

By May 2, 2026

Submit expense vouchers and receipts to [email protected] or through the Concur expense system report.