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OCTOBER 2013
FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS
S ec t i on A
BOOTH #3022
800-336-1102
100%
Death Care
Clientele
PRENEED, PERPETUAL CARE
AND MERCHANDISE & SERVICE
FUND MANAGEMENT
*
Servicing over 800 death care clients and 381 million in assets under management as of 8/1/2013.
CFF is a SEC registered investment adviser. Registrationwith the SECdoes not imply a certain level of skill or training.Additional information
DERXW &)) LV DYDLODEOH RQ WKH 6(&¶V ZHEVLWH D
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Perpetual Care Fund Management
is One of Them
Some Jobs Require Industry
Knowledge and Experience
Come See Us at Booth 1735
MAXIMIZING YOUR CONVENTION EXPERIENCE
2013 CONVENTION PREVIEW
The National Funeral Directors Association Convention
is by far the most popular funeral service convention
which has a trademark on their exhibit hall presenta-
tions. After all, this is the time to network, reminisce
and revive the passion of why you are a funeral service
professional. This article will explore several techniques
to maximize your time at the convention and in the ex-
hibit hall for the experienced and novice attendee.
Like most conventions wearing your nametag is a
must for entering meetings, sessions, the exhibit hall
and social events. As tempting as it may be to wear your
fashionable nametag on the street, it makes you and
your group a target to thieves. Carry business cards,
snacks and water. Do you really want to spend $8.00
for a bottle of water at the exhibit hall?
Bring business cards to exchange and enter exhibit hall
raffles. Printed return address labels for registration cards
allow quick completion (same tip used for bridal shows).
Wear comfortable shoes and avoid listening to mu-
sic, texting, etc. Use this valuable time to network with
others. Having a friend with you makes the convention
more enjoyable and fun, but it is just as important to
meet new people. Pack lightly for exhibit material and
novelties. Most airlines will charge additional for luggage
over 50 pounds so it is recommended to use an alterna-
tive method of shipping, perhaps the postal service.
Use the program schedule to design your own con-
ference experience. Mark the booth locations that you
wish to attend on the map that is usually included in
the convention program. This is a great way to save
time and potentially some money. Find the education
programs, discussion groups, speaker series, receptions,
etc. that match your interests and expertise, and/or
topics key to your position responsibilities and organi-
zation’s initiatives. Get information and knowledge to
return to your mortuary.
Allocate time for the exhibits; don’t try to see them all
at once. Here are 8 additional exhibit hall tips:
1. Plan out your time before you travel. We’ve found
that with thousands of people crammed in one space all
day, it’s hard to stay focused for more than two hours at
a time without a break. Don’t plan to stay longer than
3 hours without a break, plan your time wisely.
2. Keep in mind the time schedule and know when
the hall opens and closes. Don’t wait until the last day
to visit the exhibits. First, you may miss out on some
fun promotions and second, you may not have enough
time to see what you want (or need) to see. After tar-
geting specific vendors, allow some time to peruse new
booths and smaller companies. If your schedule allows,
come back a second day, when you have a better idea of
where everything is located.
3. Create a game plan. Decide whether to start on one
end and go to the other, or split the hall into different
days. Just randomly walking around is fun if you have
free time, but that method can make you miss really
good booths. Nothing helps reduce exhibit hall anxiety
like knowing what booths you can overlook.
4. If you’re just walking through the hall be on the
lookout at all booths around you. Just looking around
you could probably find tons of booths that are giving
out free novelties. If you plan to take extra goodies back
to your work staff make sure you attend the last hour
on the last day of exhibits. Why? Suppliers do not want
to carry excessive items back or pay for additional ship-
ping, help them out and lighten their load.
5. Bring a list of questions for vendors that you want
to talk to. Start with the exhibitors that you need to
speak to. Network with representatives at the booths.
While most booths are great for browsing, you can also
strike up a conversation with the representatives man-
aging the booths. This is especially helpful if you are
looking for specific genres or products for families. It
never hurts to ask, so if you don’t see something that
you are expecting to see, just ask.
6. Keep your connections. Make a note on the back
of business cards you receive to trigger your memory
of the exchange. Send follow-up email messages to the
contacts, exhibitors and presenters you have met.
7. One exhibit might be for crematory operators, an-
other might address a service that you don’t offer such
as pet service. Learn what products and services you
just don’t need. If you know what a company offers and
By Shun Newbern, MS, BS and Christie K. Redmon, MS, BS
Shun Newbern
Christie K. Redmon
you just don’t need it, don’t be afraid to tell the sales
representative, “thanks, I don’t need this,” in a firm,
but polite tone. Vendors are used to that, and honestly,
would rather not waste time talking to someone who
isn’t really interested.
8. Bring the camera (or your camera phone) for those
great photo-ops in the hall. Whether it’s with a NFDA
executive, classmate from mortuary school or your fa-
vorite educational speaker, there’s going to be time to
take a picture!
Have fun and don’t stress. The exhibit hall is a great
place to learn about new companies and services and
network with a variety of people. It is a place to ex-
change ideas, tell others about your mortuary and
where you work. So have fun, take advantage of this
unique opportunity and don’t let the size overwhelm
you. The exhibit hall is an amazing place. Look around
every once and a while at the awesomeness. It only hap-
pens once a year so try to savor the moments. Overall
have a good time!
Shun Newbern,
is a licensed embalmer, funeral direc-
tor, speaker and consultant on relatable leadership and
management issues. He is the owner of Metropolitan
Mortuary Jurupa Valley in Riverside, CA. Shun can be
Christie K. Redmon
served as the chemistry, embalm-
ing and arts instructor at the
Dallas Institute of Funeral
Service
and is a licensed embalmer and funeral direc-
tor in Texas and Oklahoma. Christie conducts semi-
nars around the country regarding strategic business
planning and the value of team building in the funer-
al service industry. Christie owns both
C.K. Redmon
Funeral Service Consulting
and
Sunset Concepts
Casket Inserts.
The Urn Memorial
Remembrance Creations
introduces The Urn
Memorial
ELK GROVE,IL—
With
more
families
now
choosing a cremation
memorial service,
Re-
membrance Creations,
LLC
has introduced an
innovative and dignified
way of glorifying the urn.
The Urn Memorial pres-
ents a beautiful display
of the urn while show-
casing a framed portrait
and personal mementos
of the dearly departed.
With “The Urn Memo-
rial,” the urn is placed
upon the LED illuminat-
ed glass surface creating a
soft light effect to the urn
giving it a unique visual
presence at the memorial
service.
The Urn Memorial
is available in two dis-
tinct design styles Mon-
arch and Majestic collec-
tions. Both styles offer
a ten piece custom line
of chapel furniture in-
cluding “The Urn Me-
morial” Urn Memo-
rial Pedestal, Flower
Pedestals, Torchiere Floor
Lamp, Candle Floor
Lamp, Lectern, Memori-
al Kiosk, Monitor Stand,
Casket Bier, and Kneel-
er, which will be on dis-
play at the 2013 NFDA
Convention in Austin,
TX. Stop by Booth 3022
the complete collection.