NFDA Leadership Conference: Building A Bold Future for Funeral Service
Brookfield, Wis. – The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) will bring together leaders from state and national funeral service associations – along with future leaders in the profession – to the 2022 Leadership Conference, taking place July 10-13 at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
During the 2022 Leadership Conference, attendees will hear from a variety of experts and leaders – both from outside of and within funeral service – who will help them explore the challenges and opportunities facing the profession. These experts include Sheri Jacobs, a leader, innovator, and visionary who has helped more than 225 associations, small and large, tackle their most challenging issues, and Jeff Henderson, a trusted voice for businesses and non-profit organizations – including the Atlanta Braves and Chick-fil-A – who provides tangible strategies to help foster growth.
To help associations plan for the future, NFDA General Counsel Chris Farmer will moderate a panel discussion of executives from the leading funeral service corporations about what the future of funeral service looks like in our post-pandemic world. The panel will include Jay Dietz of The Vertin Group, Jay Dodds of Park Lawn Corporation, Vern Pixley of Service Corporation International, and Kent Robertson of Foundation Partners Group.
The Leadership Conference wouldn’t be complete without the popular “Breakout by Office” discussions during which association officers and executives break into peer groups to talk about challenges they are facing in their roles and share strategies for success.
For those interested in leadership opportunities with NFDA, President Randy Anderson and Treasurer Dutch Nie will lead a special discussion about what it takes to serve on the Board of Directors and the process for becoming a candidate.
Live Oak Bank’s Senior Vice President of Funeral Home and Cemetery Lending Tim Bridgers will discuss how attendees can plan for their retirement and beyond by selling their funeral home business.
State and national funeral service association leaders will have an opportunity to celebrate the graduation of the inaugural class of NFDA’s National Emerging Leaders Program and meet the members of the 2022-23 class. This year-long program, which begins and ends at the NFDA Leadership Conference, helps funeral directors develop leadership skills that will serve them well in any setting they may find themselves – their funeral home, their state or national association, their community, and beyond. More information about this program is available at www.nfda.org/emergingleaders.
Meet and Mingle in Florida
Attendees can kick off their Leadership Conference experience on July 10 by hitting the links on the International Course at ChampionsGate Golf Course at the Omni Orlando Resort. The International Course was recently listed as number nine in the top overall ranked courses by GOLF Advisor magazine. The 7,363-yard links-style course was recently renovated and is home to sprawling greens and wind-swept dunes. Golfers will be impressed by this dramatic and challenging course (optional event; registration required).
Also on July 10, attendees are invited to reconnect with old friends and make new ones during the complimentary Welcome Reception.
On the evening of July 12, attendees will gather for “A Magical Evening at EPCOT®.” Attendees will enjoy cocktails and dinner in an exclusive, reserved area inside EPCOT®. Attendees will savor delectable desserts overlooking the World Showcase while enjoying the nighttime spectacular Harmonious, which showcases an innovative combination of floating giant screens, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics and lasers accompanied by music and film from various Disney movies(optional event; registration required).
After attending education sessions in the morning, Leadership Conference attendees have the afternoon to relax, network and enjoy the magic of Walt Disney World® Resort. After registering for the Leadership Conference, attendees will be sent a confirmation email with a link through which they may purchase discounted theme park tickets and download the My Disney Experience app to plan their itinerary and book dining experiences.
Registration Information
Attendees can register for the Leadership Conference online at www.nfda.org/leadership or by calling NFDA at 800-228-6332. Registration includes presentations, handouts, continental breakfasts and the Welcome Reception.
· NFDA Member – includes CE
o On or Before June 10: $485; After June 10: $535
· Nonmember – includes CE
o On or Before June 10: $725; After June 10: $775
· Non-licensed Family Member/Guest – no CE
o On or Before June 10: $210; After June 10: $260
· Golf at Wild Dunes Harbor Course
o On or Before June 10: $120; After June 10: $140
· A Magical Evening at EPCOT®
o Adult: On or Before June 10: $149; After June 10: $159
o Child (16 and under): On or Before June 10: $50; After June 10: $60
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Discover the casual elegance of Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, a charming, New England-style resort hotel. This elegant waterside resort features a three-acre aquatic oasis with a sandy-lagoon themed swimming pool, three lounges, and nine world-class restaurants, including the signature Yachtsman Steakhouse.
NFDA has secured a limited number of rooms at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort at the exclusive rate of $319 per night plus tax and fees. After registering for the Leadership Conference, attendees will receive a confirmation email with a link they can use to book hotel accommodations. More information is available online, www.nfda.org/leadership.
For complete details about the 2022 NFDA Leadership Conference, visit www.nfda.org/leadership or call 800-228-6332.
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.
