January 2018

Page A30 JANUARY 2018 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on A Funeral Directors Research,Inc. AMRA INSTRUMENT, LLC 623 N. Tower (P.O. Box 359) Centralia, WA 98531 “the shorter the supply line the better off you are” WEB DIRECT GIFT & PRICING TM ® www.amrainstruments.com www.preproomdirect.com Nearly 6,000 People Attend the 2017 NFDA International Convention & Expo NFDA Policy Board Elects John Wenig to Serve on Board of Directors Inventory Reduction Sale! Extra-Large Blue Cremains Bags $200.00 for a case of 100* That’s just $2.00 a bag, for a savings of 45% of regular price! Call 651-450-7727 or visit Urnbags.com to order Brought to you by Forever Pets Inc. *While supplies last BROOKFIELD,WI— The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) policy board met on October 28, 2017 and, in a special election, elected John W. Wenig of Wenig Funeral Homes in Sheboygan Falls, WI to serve a one-year term as an at-large representa- tive on the association’s board of directors. Wenig’s term of service began immediately following the 2017 NFDA International Convention & Expo, October 29 through November 1 in Boston. Wenig is a first-generation funeral director who, after working for several funeral homes, purchased John W. Wenig his own funeral estab- lishment in Sheboygan Falls and Oostburg, WI. Wenig served in various leadership capacities on the local, state and na- tional level, including as the state of Wiscon- sin’s representative to the NFDA policy board. In his candidate state- ment, Wenig said, “As a working funeral director, I understand the chal- lenges and opportunities that exist in this current market and industry. This background has enabled me to provide an experienced perspective of other fu- neral professionals within our association. I have the perspective of the past, but am progressive by nature. I would be proud and honored to give back to my pro- fession by serving on the NFDA board of directors.” Two at-large representatives to the NFDA board of directors are elected every year, each for a two-year term of service, so that the terms of the four at-large representatives are staggered. At-large representatives are elected by majority vote of the NFDA policy board. The special election was held to identify an individ- ual to complete the second year of an unexpired two- year term of service resulting from the resignation of at-large representative Peter B. “Butch” Mulhearn Jr. When an at-large representative position becomes vacant, the NFDA Bylaws provide for a special elec- tion at the next NFDA Policy Board meeting to fill the unexpired term. Accordingly, the NFDA policy board elected Wenig during their October 28th meet- ing, which was held in conjunction with the 2017 NFDA Convention in Boston. NEWS Association BROOKFIELD,WI— The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) 2017 Interna- tional Convention & Expo, held October 29 through November 1 in Boston, drew 6,207 total attendees (4,105 attendees and 2,102 ex- hibitor representatives). A total of 514 international attendees, repre- senting 42 countries and territories, participated in the 2017 NFDA Convention. The Expo Hall featured 381 exhibiting companies which filled 92,568 square feet of space (925 10’ x 10’ booth spaces). The NFDA convention proved to be an exceptional experience for all who were able to attend. The convention featured an outstanding slate of workshops that challenged attendees to think about funeral service in new ways and offered practical strategies to help them understand the evolving needs and desires of the bereaved families. The Expo Hall was a highlight for many attendees because, in addition to connecting with their valued supplier partners, they also discovered new products and CONTINUED ON PAGE A32 services that they can offer to families in their com- munities. From the rousing Wel- come Party to the celebra- tory dinner cruise in Bos- ton Harbor that closed out the convention, attendees had many opportunities to network and have fun ex- periencing everything that makes Boston one of the country’s most loved cities. NFDA General Sessions Feature Powerhouse Speakers with Powerful Messages NFDA hosted two pre- mier speakers for its gen- eral sessions. John C. Maxwell, one of Ameri- ca’s foremost leadership ex- perts, opened the conven- tion on Monday with an inspiring message about how to communicate in a way that runs far deeper than words. During the general ses- sion, 2016-17 NFDA pres- ident W. Ashley Cozine, CFSP, CPC, CCO, offered his perspective on excel- lence and teamwork. Co- zine emphasized the im- portance of every funeral director and funeral home in the country doing their absolute best to serve each and every family that walks through the door. “I want to challenge and encourage all of us to leave Boston with a com- mitment to raise the bar, to truly become lifelong learners, to continually look for ways to improve what we do and how we serve families and to pur- sue excellence in all parts of our funeral homes and businesses,” said Cozine. “Remember that we have teammates all across the country that are all count- ing on each and every one of us to bring our A-games every time we serve fami- lies and to be the very best we can be as a profession!” During the general ses- sion, attendees also heard from NFDA CEO Chris- tine Pepper, CAE, who shared some of NFDA’s newest offerings including