Women Gather to Fuel Professional Growth at 2020 NFDA Professional Women’s Conference

Brookfield, Wis. – Registration is open for the preeminent gathering for women in funeral service: the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) Professional Women’s Conference. This intimate gathering, taking place April 24-26 at The Confidante Miami Beach in Miami, Fla., is the perfect setting for funeral directors, educators, students and suppliers to generate new ideas, fuel personal and professional growth, and forge lasting relationships with other professionals.

“The conference was an exciting opportunity to meet with women across the nation (and from around the globe) who work in this specialized profession,” said an attendee from last year’s conference.

The conference begins with a complimentary social and networking event, Women Making Waves: Sponsored by the Funeral Service Foundation, on April 24. Beginning at the hotel, attendees will enjoy complimentary beer, wine, soda and light snacks. From there, attendees will be transported by motorcoach to the port in Miami where they will board the double-decker Spirit Del Sol for a two-hour scenic cruise along the coast of Miami. While taking in a spectacular sunset, attendees will enjoy beer, wine and soda; a delectable dinner buffet; and conversation with friends and colleagues. After returning to port, attendees will be transported back to the hotel. Thanks to the generosity of the Funeral Service Foundation, there is no cost to participate in this exciting networking event.

During the next two days, attendees can look forward to dynamic conference sessions led by experts covering a wide range of topics:

• Saturday, April 25
  • General Session: Prospecting to Women Influencers presented by Jodi Clock, business development director, ClearPoint Bank & Trust
  • Celebrate the accomplishments of women who have earned Professional Women’s Conference scholarships from the Funeral Service Foundation during the complimentary Recognition Lunch
  • General Session: The Millennial Funeral Director presented by Leili McMurrough, program director, Worsham College
  • General Session: Inside the Courthouse presented by Michael Sharkey, attorney and funeral director
• Sunday, April 26
  • Concurrent Workshops – attendees choose the workshop they wish to attend:
    • Can We Talk? Helpful Embalming Tips presented by Tawnia Steinhoff, The Dodge Company
    • Obituaries with More Love Than Money presented by Angela Woosley, founder, Inspired Journeys
  • General Session: What Holds Us Back at Work: How to Communicate with Colleagues, Managers and Clients presented by Dr. Meg Myers Morgan, associate professor and author, University of Oklahoma – Tulsa

“I walked away from this conference with an overwhelming amount of valuable ideas I can use right away,” said another 2019 Professional Women’s Conference attendee.

Another attendee noted, “I can’t thank you enough for this experience. It has been hugely beneficial for me personally and professionally.”

Attendees can save up to $50 when they register on or before March 26. Registration includes: Women Making Waves: Presented by the Funeral Service Foundation, presentations, handouts, select meals and refreshments.

• First registrant
  • NFDA member: On or before March 26: $495; After March 26: $545
  • Nonmember licensed funeral director: On or before March 26: $645; After March 26: $695
  • Nonmember non-funeral director: On or before March 26: $495; After March 26: $545
• Second registrant from the same organization: On or before March 26: $470; After March 26: $520
• Student (accredited mortuary science program): On or before March 26: $100; After March 26: $110

Complete details about the NFDA Professional Women’s Conference, including an up-to-date schedule, speaker profiles and registration information, can be found on the NFDA website, www.nfda.org/pwc.

The Funeral Service Foundation will award up to 15 Professional Women’s Conference scholarships that cover registration and event fees, two nights of accommodations at The Confidante Miami Beach, and up to $500 in travel reimbursement. The Professional Women’s Conference scholarships are part of the Foundation ‘45 Awards, which are designed to transform the careers of funeral service professionals through scholarships, awards, resources and mission-focused outreach.

Funeral professionals can visit the Funeral Service Foundation website, www.funeralservicefoundation.org, for more information about the Professional Women’s Conference Scholarships and to apply. Applications are due by 12:00 p.m. CST on Friday, February 28.

“The Foundation is honored to expand its support for this premier event by offering a record 15 scholarships to deserving women across the profession, and to present Friday night’s networking event,” said Foundation Executive Director, Lee Wiensch, CFRE. “Our past scholarship recipients tell us that attending the annual conference is transformative, and we know this year will be no exception.”

The Confidante is an oceanfront oasis in the heart of Miami Beach. Originally built in the 1940s, The Confidante is a nostalgic and playful celebration of its retro-glam roots. This Miami Beach retreat is ideally located between the hustle of South Beach and the bustle of Miami’s hip art districts.

NFDA has secured a limited number of rooms at The Confidante Miami Beach for the discounted rate of $190 plus tax and a $20 resort fee per night. The resort fee includes: unlimited resort-wide WI-FI; two beach chairs with personal attendant; two pool chairs with personal attendant; menu of signature cuisine and specialty cocktails available on pool and beach; complimentary use of beach and pool towels; indoor-outdoor fitness center access available 24 hours; exclusive on-property fitness classes from local studios/gyms (space limited); discounted classes at popular local fitness studios/gyms; complimentary use of bicycle/helmet; daily games and activities (ping pong, foosball, giant Jenga, giant connect4, etc.); and complimentary morning coffee from local favorite Panther Coffee.

Visit the NFDA website, www.nfda.org/pwc, for information about how to book a room; conference attendees must secure their rooms by March 30 to receive the special NFDA rate.

NFDA is the world’s leading and largest funeral service association, serving more than 20,000 individual members who represent nearly 11,000 funeral homes in the United States and 49 countries around the world. NFDA is the trusted leader, beacon for ethics and the strongest advocate for the profession. NFDA is the association of choice because it offers funeral professionals comprehensive educational resources, tools to manage successful businesses, guidance to become pillars in their communities and the expertise to foster future generations of funeral professionals. NFDA is headquartered in Brookfield, Wis., and has an office in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.nfda.org.