January 2019

Page A26 JANUARY 2019 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on A www.funeralradio.com UNCUT ANDUNCENSORED ANALYSIS FORYOUR FUNERAL HOME “WE ALL TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING AHEAD . WE DECIDED TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR BUSINESS, TOO.” VINCE AZZARO &GARY BENITO BENITO & AZZARO PACIFIC GARDENS CHAPEL Foundation Partners Group 4901 Vineland Road, Suite 300 Orlando, FL 32811 Get in Touch 1-888-788-7526 FoundationPartners.com After 40 years in business, it was time for us to start developing a successionplan.We didn’t want to hang on for so long that somethingmight happen to one of us. Neither of uswanted to saddle the otherwith trying to run the business onhis own. That’swhereFoundationPartners came in.With their commitment to honoring our legacy, business experience, and advanced technology, we found the perfect partner to ensure a smooth succession. Benito andAzzaro has been a teameffort fromstart to finish, andwhenwe both decide to retire, wewant to walk into the sunset proud of what we accomplished. Joining FoundationPartners gave us the security to move forward, allowing us to focus on the thingswe lovemost – taking care of families during theirmost difficult days. BROOKFIELD,WI— The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) 2018 International Convention & Expo, held October 14-17 in Salt Lake City, Utah, drew 4,029 total attendees (2,464 attendees and 1,565 exhibitor representatives). A total of 315 internation- al attendees, representing 29 countries and territories, participated in the 2018 NFDA Convention. The Expo Hall featured 329 exhibiting companies which filled 82,800 square feet of space (828 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, many of which were at or near capacity, that challenged attendees to think about fu- neral service in new ways while offering practical strategies to help them under- stand the evolving needs and desires of the bereaved families. Topics included embalming and restorative art, the opi- oid crisis, helping families who are griev- ing a death due to tragic circumstances, marketing, compliance and more. The Expo Hall was a highlight for many at- tendees because, in addition to connecting with their valued supplier partners, they also discovered new products and services they can offer to families in their communities. From the rousing red-carpet themed Wel- come Party to the heights of the Wasatch Mountains for an Oktoberfest-themed closing party, attendees had many oppor- tunities to network and have fun while ex- periencing everything that makes Salt Lake City one of the country’s hidden gems. Continued on Page A28 2018 CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS Salt Lake Success for NFDA Convention