January 2019

Page B2 JANUARY 2019 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on B CALENDAR of Events New Hampshire Funeral Directors Assn 2019 Annual Convention  - Jan 12, 2019, Church Landing, Meredith, NH. Exhibits. (877) 886-4332, 603-903-4699. www.nhfda.org nhfda1@gmail.com Utah Funeral Directors Association 2019 Annual Meeting  - Jan 18-19, 2019, Best Western Plus Abbey Inn, St. George, UT. 801-263-3286. www.ufda.org ufda.org@gmail.com Alabama Funeral Directors Association 2019 Mid-Winter Meeting & Expo  - Jan 20-22, 2019, Hyatt Regency Birmingham – The Wynfrey Hotel, Hoover, AL. Exhibits. 334-956-8000. www.alabamafda.org dedmisten@ alabamafda.org Indiana Funl Dirs Association 2019Annual Meeting  - Jan 22-23, 2019, Indianapolis, IN. Exhibits. 317-846-2448. www.infda.org connie@infda.org Intl Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Assn 2019 Wide World of Sales Conference  - Jan 23- 25, 2019, Bally’s Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV. 703-391-8402. www.iccfa.com kase@iccfa.com Selected Independent Funeral Homes 2019 NextGen Seminar  - Jan 27-31, 2019, Club Med Turkoise, Turks and Caicos Islands. 800-323-4219. www. selectedfuneralhomes.org pattyn@ selectedfuneralhomes.org Virginia Funeral Directors Association 11th Annual Winter Conference  - Jan 27-28, 2019, The Quirk Hotel, Richmond, VA. 804-264-0505. www.vfda.net lwhittaker@vfda.net Mississippi Funeral Directors Assn 2019 Winter Seminar  - Jan 27-28,2019,CourtyardbyMarriott, Oxford, MS. 601-978-1920. www. mississippifuneraldirectors.com mfda@tatmangroup.com Catholic Cem & Funl Services Of The West 2019 Annual Convention  - Jan 28-31, 2019, Westin Verasa Napa, Napa, CA. Exhibits. 408-780-8229. www. ccfwest.org/annual-conference/ admin@ccfwest.org Montana Funl Dirs Association Mid-Winter Conference  - Jan 30-31, 2019, Great Northern Hotel, Helena, MT. 406-449- 7244. www.montanafda.org info@ montanafda.org Center For Loss &Life Transition Training Seminars by Dr. Alan Wolfelt - Feb 04-07, 2019 Creating Meaningful Funeral Ceremonies, Scottsdale Marriott Suites Old Town, Scottsdale, AZ. 970-226- 6050. www.centerforloss.com wolfelt@centerforloss.com South Carolina Funeral Directors Assn 32nd Mid- Winter Conference &Expo  - Feb 04-06, 2019, Hilton Columbia Convention Center, Columbia, SC. Exhibits. 843-881-3634. www.scfda.org rion@scfda.org Ohio Funeral Directors Association Annual Educational Conference  - Feb 04-10, 2019, Hilton Barbados Hotel, Bridgetown, Barbados. 614-486- 5339. www.ofdaonline.org diana@ ofdaonline.org Cremation Association Of North America 2019 Cremation Symposium  - Feb 05-07, 2019, Paris Las Vegas Hotel, Las Vegas, NV. Exhibits. 312-245-1077. www.cremationassociation.org info@cremationassociation.org Funeral Service Association Of Canada 2019 Educational Cruise - Feb 07-15, 2019, Silversea Cruises’SilverWind,Caribbeanand Central America. 888-507-3722. www.fsac.ca/education-cruise info@fsac.ca Monument Builders Of North America Inc 2019 Monument Industry Show  - Feb 08-10, 2019, Marriott St. Louis Grande & St. Louis Convention Center, St. Louis, MO. 800-233-4472. www.monumentbuilders.org info@monumentbuilders.org Maryland State Funeral Directors Assn 2019 Mid-Winter Retreat  - Feb 08-10, 2019, Dunes Manor Hotel, Ocean City, MD. 410-553-9106. www.msfda.net msfda@msfda.net Pennsylvania Funl Directors AssociationWinterManagement Conference  - Feb 12-14, 2019, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Farmington, PA. 717-545-7215. www.pfda.org john@pfda.org Cemetery & Mortuary Assn Of California 2019 Annual Conference  - Feb 13-15, 2019, Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, Monterey, CA. Exhibits. 916-441- 4533. www.cmaccalifornia.org cmac@usa.net Front Runner Professional 2019 Educational Cruise  - Feb 16-23, 2019, Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas, Eastern Caribbean. 866-748-3625. www.frontrunnerpro.com Ohio Cemetery Assn Awards Presentation Night / Casino Event  - Feb 16, 2019, Embassy Suites, Dublin, OH. 937-885-0283. www.ohiocemeteryassociation.com jburrowes@cemeterydata.com West Virginia Funeral Directors Assn 2019Mid-WinterAdvocacy Summit Meeting  - Feb 21-23, 2019, Embassy Suites, Charleston, WV. 304-345-4711. www.wvfda. org rlkimes@yahoo.com Alliance Of Illinois Cemeterians 2019 Annual Convention  - Feb 21-22, 2019, DeSoto House Hotel, Galena, IL. Exhibits. 309-788- 6622. www.aicemeterians.org aic_secretary@mediacombb.net National Funeral Directors Assn 2019 Cremation Conference  - Feb 22-24, 2019, Tradewinds Island Grand Resort, St. Pete Beach, FL. 800-228-6332. www.nfda.org/cremationconference nfda@nfda.org Georgia Funeral Directors Association 2019 Mid-Winter Seminar  - Feb 24-25, 2019, The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, Greensboro, GA. 770- 592-8002. www.gfda.org National Funeral Directors Association 2019 Business Conference  - Feb 24-26, 2019, Tradewinds Island Grand Resort, St. Pete Beach, FL. 800-228-6332. www.nfda.org/businessconference nfda@nfda.org MKJMarketingSkiSummit -Feb 25-27, 2019, The Arrabelle at Vail Square, Vail, CO. 888-655-1566. www.mkjmarketing.com/seminars mkj@mkjmarketing.com The International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards 115th Annual Meeting  - Feb 26-27, 2019, The Dana Hotel, San Diego, CA. 479-442-7076. www.theconferenceonline.org info@theconferenceonline.org ADDITIONAL EVENTS ONLINE AT WWW.NOMISPUBLICATIONS.COM OR SEND TO: PO Box 5159, Youngstown, OH 44514 Fax 1-800-321-9040 Email info@nomispublications.com Online at www.nomispublications.com Submit Your Convention, Meeting or Seminar Wilbert Funeral Services, Inc. Announces Intent To Acquire Astral Industries, Inc. AmpliVox’s New SW925 Digital Audio Travel Partner Plus NORTHBROOK,IL— Am- pliVox Sound Systems has introduced a new upgraded version of its most power- ful all-in-one PA system. The SW925 Digital Audio Travel Partner Plus can sup- port wireless microphones and pair with supplementa- ry speakers to provide cus- tomized sound coverage for audiences up to 7500 peo- ple or areas up to 15,000 square feet. This all-in-one PA system accommodates up to four wireless micro- phones on its own. The 250-watt SW925 PA delivers uniquely deep, in- telligible sound from its su- perior performance, high efficiency woofers and dy- namic compression tweeter (SPL 127 dB). This audio power can project spoken presentations from wireless or wired-in microphones, or amplify music from the New AmpliVox Digital Audio Travel Partner Plus Offers Advanced Features, Enhanced Sound unit’s built-in Media Player for Bluetooth ® streaming or MP3 play with USB or SD card inputs. Convenient switches for Voice Priority, Voice Enhancement, and Volume Control allow for easy customization of pre- sentations. AmpliVox designed its SW925 to be high- ly portable and extremely durable, for use in a wide variety of indoor and outdoor set- tings. The entire unit is housed in a special- ly tooled and molded plastic enclosure that travels easily with a luggage-style handle and heavy duty industrial casters. The unit can be mounted on an optional tripod, provid- ing clear increased sound coverage. Its re- chargeable battery runs for up to ten hours. “We are excited to offer the new Digital Audio Travel Partner Plus as the most pow- erful and comprehensive of our portable PA products,” notes Don Roth , CEO of AmpliVox. “The SW925 includes the latest audio technology to give users the ultimate in power, intelligibility, and versatility. It is an optimal sound system choice for large rooms and outdoor spaces.” AmpliVox ® Sound Systems products are predominantly made in the USA, meet stringent CE standards, and come with a warranty up to 12 years. AmpliVox Sound Systems offers an extensive range of supe- rior quality, simple to operate, and reliable electronics, including our new integrat- ed multi-media furniture line, to provide maximum satisfaction and ensure a crys- tal clear message. Visit www.ampli.com for more information. OVERLAND PARK,KS— Wilbert Funeral Services, Inc . is pleased to announce the signing of a letter of in- tent to acquire certain assets of Astral Industries, Inc . and related Astral compa- nies, based in Lynn, IN. The contemplated transaction would also include certain assets of Astral Carrier Inc. and other associated assets. Astral manufactures a wide range of steel caskets with 46 years of experience servicing the North American funeral industry. Astral is a leading provider to independent cas- ket distributors and funer- al homes through Regional Service Centers across the United States. Astral Carrier is a 48-state contract carrier with a fleet of air-ride trac- tors and trailers in place to ensure that caskets and other products are delivered in ex- cellent condition. This transaction would support WFSI’s continued strategy to grow its business through complementary product and service offerings that benefit funeral profes- sionals and the families they serve. WFSI and Astral share similar business values with a driving focus on the needs of funeral professionals. This commitment toward solu- tions for the challenges faced by their customers would continue to be the compass for the combined enterprises. “Astral has a proud heri- tage dating back to 1972,” said Charlie Shaw , Chair- man of the Board and CEO of Astral. “Both Astral and Wilbert have earned a repu- tation for value and service. This transaction would re- sult in a great blending of two iconic brands.” Dave Hazelett , President of Astral, added, “Astral has been a leader in providing quality product to the fu- neral industry. We are excit- ed about the possibilities this combination would create.” As the leading provider of burial vaults and crema- tion-related products, WFSI would strengthen its offer- ings to the funeral industry through the contemplated transaction. “Merging the operations of Wilbert and Astral would create a diverse yet synergis- tic family of products,” stat- ed Joseph Suhor , Chair- man of the Board of WFSI. “The quality of Astral caskets is second-to-none and we are impressed with the dedi- cation of Astral’s employees. These are the same things we point to when describing Wilbert.” Astral would retain its manufacturing platform in Lynn along with the other related companies and day- to-day operations would be maintained by a combina- tion of existing management from Astral and WFSI. “As the companies come togeth- er, we will finalize an over- all strategic direction that would bring enhanced value and a wide array of products to funeral professionals,” said Dennis Welzenbach , President & CEO of WFSI. Pending completion of due diligence and execu- tion of a definitive and bind- ing agreement outlining the terms and conditions of the acquisition, WFSI and As- tral would operate separately while working together for a smooth transition that will retain product quality and exemplary service to their customers. For more information, call (708) 865-1600.