Bringing the Front Lines to the Convention Floor: HAIX at FDIC 2026
From the moment the doors opened at FDIC 2026, there was a constant stream of passionate HAIX fans ready to get hands-on with their favorite boots and talk shop with a team of experts. At times, it felt more like attendees were representing their favorite sports team than a boot company.
One family from DeKalb County, Georgia spotted a HAIX-branded vehicle while driving to FDIC. To show their excitement, they honked, waved, and held HAIX gear out the window. Once FDIC opened, they came and found the driver of the car, Mid-West Territory Manager Tracy Cline, to let her know they were the superfans she encountered on the road.
“They were really sweet,” Cline said. “It’s amazing to meet people who feel so supported by HAIX that they cheer for us at every opportunity.”
HAIX: The Right Choice for Departments and Individuals
As anyone who has been to the event can tell you, there’s no such thing as a typical FDIC attendee. This year the HAIX booth saw visits from the top brass at the fire departments of major cities, brand-loyalist volunteers getting years’ worth of use out of a single pair, EMTs looking to upgrade their on-call gear, and international groups making decisions that will impact hundreds of firefighters. HAIX sales reps fielded conversations about large-scale procurement decisions and deeply personal gear choices, often back-to-back.
“We had people from FDNY and major metro areas, but then I also met with two guys from Texas and they were most of the department,” said Shannon Sauls. “Everybody was engaged at every level.”
Memorials and Challenges at FDIC
But FDIC isn’t just the activity on the convention floor. It’s also a network of related events, memorials, and meet-ups. This year they honored the upcoming 25th anniversary of 9/11 with a memorial stair climb of 110 stories in and around the Lucas Oil Stadium. The event opened with a dedication and a prayer joined by family members of some of the 343 FDNY members who gave their lives during 9/11. Upon its completion, firefighters and civilian supporters climbed stairs, circled the upper levels, and exited to the outside of the stadium.
Nearby, the Firefighter Challenge season opener drew crowds of family, friends, and fans, ready to watch what ESPN has called “the toughest two minutes in sports.” HAIX athlete Michael Jeschawitz of the Lexington, KY Firefighter Combat Team placed first in his age range with a blisteringly fast 1:30 time. He was also a part of the Under-40 Lexington FD Relay team which took home the gold with a combined relay time of five minutes.
From the booth to the course, FDIC attendees were representing HAIX on their feet and in their hearts.
