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Page A19 MARCH 2020 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on A 800-331-9093 For over thirty years Rick and Elizabeth Roberts have been supplying the funeral industry with superior quality handcrafted hardwood chapel furniture, still handcrafted by Rick & his craftsmen on a custom built to order basis. Large Baby Bier/Cremation Altar as the base of the Urn Carrier, offers multi-purpose functionality. Guaranteed 1 Unit in Stock on the 1 st of Each month! Urn Carrier Provincial Large Baby Bier/Cremation Altar RD/129 Cherry Queen Anne Formal Altar pictured with optional lighted Urn Riser Queen Anne Collection Introducing the Formal Altar New! Featured Products at robertsanddowney.com Pictured with Urn Carrier and Flag/Bible Holder #5078 Creating Legacies at the 2020 ICCFA Annual Convention Dr. Alan Wolfelt Celeste Headlee Bruce Tulgan The International Cemetery, Cre- mation and Funeral Association’s Annual Convention and Exposition, March 30–April 2, 2020, in San Anto- nio, TX will be an energizing four-day event full of networking opportuni- ties, amazing exhibits and innovative educational sessions. The education begins on the main stage with three dynamic keynote speakers who were hand-selected for the relevant and insightful messages that will resonate with all attendees of the convention. OnTuesday, March 31 at 9:00 am, re- spected author and educator Dr. Alan Wolfelt, will talk about the importance of creating legacies during his keynote “Exploring the Significance of Per- manent Placement: Understanding and Teaching Why”. As more fam- ilies question the value of funerals and permanent memorialization, it is vital to convey to them why the decision is about more than mon- ey. His inspirational, information- rich presentation encourages using a model of information, education, and honoring choices to serve fami- lies and your community. Award-winning journalist, author and professional speaker Celeste Headlee will follow at 11:00 am and present her keynote “Ten Ways to Have a Better Conversation.” Celeste will discuss the science be- hind effective communication and share ten tips that will inspire self- confidence and make you a better listener, helping you create an in- clusive community through com- munication, both internally in your operations and when you sit down with the families you serve. Bruce Tulgan, best-selling au- thor and leading expert on the best practices of effective manage- ment, delivers his keynote session “Be a Go-To Person: Be Indispens- able Without Burning Out” on Wednesday, April 1 at 9:00 am. Using Bruce’s “when to say yes and how to say no” framework, you will learn how to build skills that will establish your influence and help you avoid the burnout that comes with over commitment. In addition to the keynotes, edu- cational breakout sessions will cov- er a variety of topics such as the role of your cemetery within your com- munity, the benefits of offering vid- eo-streamed services, how to write an outstanding obituary, how to create a proactive digital marketing plan, and more. Each session of- fers actionable items and takeaways that can be applied to any business. The 2020 ICCFA Annual Con- vention and Expo will come to a memorable close on Thursday, April 2 at 6 pm, as attendees share a night of music, remembrance and celebration. The closing event will feature a reception, the annual Celebration of Remembrance and a performance by Grammy-win- ning artists The Oak Ridge Boys. Founded in 1887, the Interna- tional Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association is the only in- ternational trade association rep- resenting all segments of the cem- etery, cremation, funeral and memorialization profession. Its membership is composed of more than 9,100 rooftop locations and 18,000 professionals in the ceme- tery, funeral home and crematory industries, as well as supplier and related businesses worldwide. Full program details are available at www.iccfaconvention.com. Pierce Mortuary Colleges launch Initiatives for Veterans and announce Special Guest at ICCFA Eric McElvenny Eric McElvenny at the Ironman Triathlon Recognizing military service members and veterans, and their need to achieve rewarding post-military ca- reers, Pierce Mortuary Colleges (PMC) has launched an initiative focused on assisting with VA benefits, tu- ition assistance and guidance through PMC programs. To help launch this outreach, former Marine Corps Infantry Officer and true American hero Eric McEl- venny will be greeting visitors at the Pierce Mortu- ary Colleges booth #3090 at the upcoming Interna- tional Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) Annual Convention in San Antonio, TX. Eric’s service and story is remarkable and inspiring. He has been deployed three times as a Marine and on his final tour, an incredible experience in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, was wounded after stepping on an IED. Eric suffered the ampu- tation of his right leg below the knee, a life-chang- ing opportunity that began his next journey: to finish an Ironman Triathlon. Now an inspirational speaker, Eric knows first-hand the importance of veterans adjusting back into civilian life and em- barking on a successful career track. Be sure to stop be the Pierce Colleges booth to meet Eric and learn more about the PMC programs. “This outreach to eligible military service mem- bers is an initiative that each of our three Pierce Colleges is enthusiastically embarking upon,” said Jill Karn, chief operating officer of Pierce Mor- tuary Colleges. “The GI Bill offers a number of military educational benefits, plus each service has its own tuition assistance and other means to help service members. Our college admission advisors can help navigate these and help active-duty or veterans embark on a successful career track.” For more information on Pierce Mortuary Col- leges programs and how to maximize VA benefits within the colleges’ curricula, visit www.pierce.edu.