Selected Independent Funeral Homes Announces Open Registration for its 93rd Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Deerfield, Ill. — Selected Independent Funeral Homes, the world’s largest and oldest association of independently owned funeral homes, announced today that it has open registration continuing through August 18 for its 93rd Annual Meeting taking place at The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa in Scottsdale, Ariz., Sept. 21-24, 2011. The event, which will feature a wide variety of educational sessions as well as compelling speakers and leisure activities, is open to professionals within the funeral industry wishing to expand their networking and learning opportunities while experiencing all that the beautiful Southwest region has to offer.
A highlight of the meeting is the lineup of impressive speakers, topped off by Bob Parsons, CEO and founder of The Go Daddy Group, including its flagship business, GoDaddy.com. Parsons, billed as a “serial entrepreneur,” is a Vietnam veteran who earned a Purple Heart while serving in the U.S. Marines Corps. He also has received numerous business and technology awards and is extremely active in charitable causes.
Parson’s vision and leadership have propelled The Go Daddy Group to be the #1 registrar of domain names in the world for the past three years. Today, the company ranks first in total domains under management. In a September 24 general session sponsored by Aurora Casket Company, Parsons will provide valuable insights on life and business as he shares his story of “Luck and Perspective.”
In addition, Selected will be featuring retired NASA astronaut, Colonel Mike Mullane, who will speak to the topic of how teams are the best when they practice certain fundamentals. Colonel Mullane will incorporate personal experiences as an astronaut and Air Force pilot to develop these fundamentals that include guarding against a “Normalization of Deviation,” responsibility, trust, courageous self-leadership and courageous team leadership. Colonel Mullane will address his belief that, “Whether manning a spaceship or orchestrating a meaningful funeral service, every team should strive to improve its core function to complete the mission.”
Colonel Mullane was selected as a Mission Specialist Astronaut in 1978 in the first group of Space Shuttle astronauts. He completed three space missions and logged 356 hours in space aboard the shuttles Discovery (STS-41D) and Atlantis (STS-27 and STS-36) before retiring from NASA and the Air Force in 1990. Colonel Mullane has been inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame and is the recipient of many awards including the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit and the NASA Space Flight Medal.
Colonel Mullane will give the keynote address during the Opening Session of Selected’s meeting the morning of September 22.
“We’re very honored and thrilled to welcome Mr. Parsons and Colonel Mullane as featured speakers at our Annual Meeting,” said John Horan of Horan & McConaty Funeral Service and Cremation in Aurora, Colo., and President of Selected Independent Funeral Homes. “These are two very distinguished and notable leaders in their field who will elevate our event and enlighten our participants.”
In addition to Parsons and Colonel Mullane, the event will offer up a variety of educational opportunities for funeral industry professionals to earn continuing education (CE) credits. The meeting has been approved for 1.025 CE Units in Category B from the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. Selected also is in the process of applying for up to 10.25 hours of continuing education credit to all states that require it for practicing professionals. To see a current list of each state’s approval status, simply visit http://www.selectedfuneralhomes.org.
All of the event’s continuing education sessions are open to any funeral service professional. Non-members should contact Nicole Trefilek or Amy Hunt to obtain a registration form by calling 1-800-323-4219 or emailing nicoled@selectedfuneralhomes.org or ahunt@selectedfuneralhomes.com.
Networking and organized recreational activities for Selected members also will be available, ranging from Grand Canyon Adventure and Aerial Tours to hot air balloon excursions. This is all in addition to the vast amenities available on-site at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, a AAA Four-Diamond Resort located in the heart of Scottsdale. The Agave Spa, three separate 18-hole golf courses and a variety of dining and lounge choices are just a sampling of the luxurious options available at the host property.
For more information or to register online, visit http://www.selectedfuneralhomes.org and follow the links to the Annual Meeting or call 1-800-323-4219.
About Selected Independent Funeral Homes
Founded in 1917 as National Selected Morticians, Selected Independent Funeral Homes (http://www.selectedfuneralhomes.org) is the world’s oldest and largest association of independently owned funeral homes. Members of the association are expected to operate according to specific standards and best practices in order to provide the public with reliable, high-quality funeral services and funeral-related information.
