Brookfield, Wis. — To support the growing number of women in funeral service, the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) will bring funeral directors, vendors, educators, students and highly-respected presenters together at its 2011 NFDA Professional Women’s Conference, April 1-3, at Hotel Monaco in Alexandria, Va.
Incorporating a unique format that fosters long-lasting friendships and generates a wealth of new ideas, this year’s NFDA Professional Women’s Conference leads off with “Who Killed the Funeral?” Presented by Jacquelyn Taylor, CFSP, executive director of the New England Institute at Mount Ida College, this eye-opening presentation will address mounting evidence that mainstream deathcare providers are in danger of becoming irrelevant in the 21st century and provide attendees with novel solutions to take control of their destiny.
Including the ever-popular round table discussions, attendees can look forward to these additional conference sessions:
“Embalming Litigation,” featuring Melissa Johnson Williams, CFSP, American Society of Embalmers. During this informative presentation, attendees will get an overview of embalming litigation cases and learn how to protect their business from potential lawsuits.
“Creating Your Personal & Professional Legacy by Becoming CEO of Your Entire Life,” featuring Kris Cavanaugh, Shift Inc. Participants in this workshop will discover a simple five-step process to begin cultivating a CEO mindset and learn how to create a professional and personal legacy.
To benefit women in funeral service and kick-off the networking festivities, April 1 is Funeral Service Foundation Fund Day. Following a welcome reception, attendees can tour Washington, D.C.’s landmarks by moonlight. Lit up by the night sky, these monuments offer a breathtaking view of the history of our country. Registration for this optional event is $65 per person, which includes tour, refreshments and donation. A portion of the net proceeds from this event is tax-deductible and supports the Women in Funeral Service Fund or the NFDA Professional Women’s Conference Scholarship Fund.
The NFDA Professional Women’s Conference registration fee is $449 for NFDA members; $599 for nonmember, licensed funeral directors; $449 for non-funeral directors. Second registrants from the same organization are $399. Registration for mortuary science students is $60. Registration fees increase after early-bird deadline of March 1. NFDA must receive all conference registrations by March 11. For more event information or to register, visit www.nfda.org/pwc or call 800-228-6332.
The Funeral Service Foundation annually awards scholarships to attend the NFDA Professional Women’s Conference; the scholarship covers registration and includes a $500 travel stipend. Visit www.funeralservicefoundation.org for more information about scholarship opportunities for this year’s conference.
NFDA has arranged for a special room rate of $135, plus tax, at Hotel Monaco Alexandria. To take advantage of this group rate, attendees should call 800-368-5047 or 703-549-6080 and mention the “NFDA Professional Women’s Conference.” All hotel reservations must be made by March 4.
The 2011 NFDA Professional Women’s Conference is generously supported by The Dodge Company and Nomis Publications.
NFDA is the world’s leading funeral service association, serving 18,500 individual members who represent more than 9,900 funeral homes in the United States and internationally. From its headquarters in Brookfield, Wis., and its Advocacy Division office in Washington, D.C., NFDA is the worldwide source of expertise and professional resources for all facets of funeral service. Through education, information and advocacy, NFDA is dedicated to supporting members in their mission to provide families with meaningful end-of-life services at the highest levels of excellence and integrity. For more information, visit www.nfda.org.
