October 2018

Page A59 OCTOBER 2018 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on A 2018 CONVENTION PREVIEW NEW! MEMBERS’ CHOICE AWARD The award-winning entry will be revealed on Monday Morning, October 15 at the Opening General Session NFDA-HOSTED CERTIFIED CELEBRANT TRAINING Glenda Stansbury and Kathy Burns, InSight Institute Seminar Day 1: Friday, October 12, 1 - 6 p.m. Seminar Day 2: Saturday, October 13, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Seminar Day 3: Sunday, October 14, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Set your firm apart from the competition and offer more to the families you serve! As families’ wishes continue to evolve, it is more important than ever to offer a variety of services that meet their needs and exceed their expectations. Fewer families are incorporating religious rites into memorial services – how do you fill that gap? Many funeral homes look to celebrants and find it the most economical to train their staff to accommodate this growing demand for customized services. A certified celebrant works with the funeral director to provide a funeral service, memorial service or trib- ute that is personalized and individualized to reflect the personality and life of the deceased. (17 CE hours) The education funeral professionals need to build thriving businesses that help families honor and celebrate the life stories of their loved ones can only be found at the 2018 NFDA Convention. Engaging workshops will address technical skills, business management, the value of ceremony, marketing and community outreach, and grief and bereavement. Education Sessions include: • Preconvention seminars: • NFDA Arranger Training Seminar • NFDA Cremation Certification Program • NFDA Certified Preplanning Consultant seminar • Celebrant Training (hosted by NFDA and presented by InSight Institute ) • The Vernie Fountain Files: Embalming, Restoration and Death Investigation presented by Vernie Fountain . • Creating Lasting Memories: Perfecting the Final Touches presented by Wallace Hooker , MBIE, CFSP, owner, Family & Friends Funeral Home • Why Youth and Funerals Matter presented by Carrie Bauer , youth coordinator, HopeWest Hospice • Cremation Success in a Small to Medium Market presented by William C. Wappner , co-owner, Wappner Funeral Directors • Serving the Family of a Perpetrator presented by Martha Thayer , department chair, Arapahoe Community College Mortuary Science Program • Community Outreach and the Opioid Epidemic: How to Reverse an Overdose with NARCAN presented by Peter Sadler , Utah Naloxone • Google It! Making the Most of Your Online Presence presented by Lynn Elliott , owner, Media Demographics Unmatched Education Sessions Tackle Key Issues The NFDA Convention features the world’s larg- est funeral service trade show, offering the newest and most exciting products, services and innovations from around the world. Many exhibitors plan to in- troduce new and inventive products and services to the profession during the convention. The Expo Hall will be open October 15 and 16 from noon to 5 p.m.; and Octo- ber 17 from 9 a.m. to noon. Experience intimate, 20-minute speaker-led sessions in a relaxed atmo- sphere in the Campfire Exchange area. Campfire Sessions will take place dur- ing Expo Hall hours. New in the Campfire Exchange this year, Lacy Robinson , NFDA’s director of member development, will conduct “mystery shop” phone calls for attend- ees. She will call an attendee’s funeral home and ask “How much is crema- tion?” or another question of choice. The best part is the attendee will be able to listen live. This is an incredible opportunity for attendees to assess the skill set of their employees and discuss telephone eti- quette training with NFDA’s in-house customer ser- vice wizard. Drop by or sign up for a time in the Campfire Exchange. Attendees won’t want to miss special NFDA booths in the Expo Hall where they can learn about the as- sociation’s advocacy efforts in Wash- ington, DC; the Pursuit of Excellence Award Program; Endorsed Providers that can save members time and mon- ey; and how they can stay informed with NFDA Publications. NFDA is giving attendees a chance to win phenomenal prizes during the Great Big Giveaway on October 17. On Wednesday morning during Expo Hall hours, NFDA’s valued sponsors will be handing out tickets for a chance to win a variety of fabulous prizes, in- cluding American Express gift cards, Amazon Echoes, Apple Watches and the grand prize, a 2019 NFDA International Con- vention & Expo experience. Winners will be an- nounced during the Wednesday General Session (at- tendees must be present to win). Innovation Flourishes in the Expo Hall Lacy Robinson salt lake city will surprise you! When it’s time to relax after the Convention’s activities are done for the day, Salt Lake City can’t be beat. Whether attendees are into the great outdoors, high-end shopping, sports, or the arts, the Salt Lake City has it all. And, with 1,800 restaurants and 180 bars, the nightlife in Salt Lake City offers many unexpected surprises. more on the website To see the complete Agenda of Workshops visit www.nfda.org Visit www.VisitSaltLake.com to learn more about what this dynamic city has to offer.