December 2021

Page A36 DECEMBER 2021 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS Se c t i on A during the All-Star Recognition Ceremony. During the All-Star Recognition Cere- mony, NFDA offered a special tribute to Dr. Carol T. Williams, the executive di- rector of the National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association (NFD&MA). Wil- liams will soon step away from her role with NFD&MA, a role she has held for 11 incredible years. In presenting Williams with a plaque recognizing her accomplishments, NFDA CEO Christine Pepper, CAE, said, “Dr. Williams has been a passionate and loy- al leader of NFD&MA, particularly dur- ing this past year as she guided her mem- bers through the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic. Beyond the diffi- culties of the past year, however, she leaves behind an impressive legacy and I want to thank you for all you have done for funer- al directors and our profession.” Big Winners During the Opening General Session, NFDA presented Passare with the 2021 NFDA Innovation Award. Coming in second place was Parting Stone; Frig- id Fluid took third place. Established in 2009, the NFDA Innovation Award rec- ognizes and promotes creativity, innova- tion and excellence among funeral ser- vice suppliers and vendors. During the Closing General Session on Wednesday, NFDA also gave out fabulous prizes to attendees in the Great Big Give- away. During Expo Hall hours on Wednes- day morning, convention attendees could visit the booths of NFDA’s valued sponsors for a chance to win fabulous prizes. The winners were: Grand Prize – 2022 NFDA International Convention & Expo Experi- ence (convention registration, travel reim- bursement up to $1,000 and a special gift from the city of Baltimore): Addison Roth, Bellbrook, OH; Ring Security System and Amazon Echo Show: Adam Stocker, Minneapolis, MN; Apple Watch: Vanessa Granby, Bronx, NY; Amazon Echo Show: Jeri Lynn Davenport, Benton, AR and Franklin H. Rainear, Ewing, NJ; $100 Gift Card: Casey Holsted, Berryville, AR and Valentina Wright, Tecumseh, NE; $50 Gift Card: Taylor Dannenfelser, Ber- ryville, AR; Jeri Lynn Davenport, Benton, AR; K atey Houston, Auburn, WA; Addi- son Roth, Bellbrook, OH; Adam Stocker, Minneapolis, MN; $25 Gift Card: Moni- ca Burchi, Ann Arbor, MI; Kathie Fried- erich, Midwest City, OK; Vanessa Gran- by, Bronx, NY; JaLayne Hawkins, Milton, WI; Casey Holsted, Berryville, AR; Don- na Koch, Bellbrook, OH; Stephen Leavitt, Parkersburg, WV; Jason Meyer, New- ton, IL; Franklin H. Rainear, Ewing, NJ; VaughnWright, Tecumseh, NE. Music City Memories The NFDA Live! stage in the Expo Hall broadcast live interviews via Facebook with NFDA staff, special guests, workshop speak- ers and more. Recordings of these interviews can be found on NFDA’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/NationalFuneralDirec- torsAssociation – click on the “2021 NFDA International Convention & Expo” playlist in the “Videos” section). Also in this playl- ist is a recording of a portion of the Open- ing General Session, the Installation of the 2021-2022 NFDA Board of Directors and the Closing General Session. Professional photographers captured all of the excitement of the 2021 NFDA Con- vention. All of the photos can be viewed at www.nfda.org/nashvillepics. Attendees may download as many photos as they like at no charge; hardcopy prints and other keepsake items are also available for purchase. Be Charmed by “Charm City” The 2022 NFDA International Conven- tion & Expo will take place October 9-12, 2022, in Baltimore, MD. Baltimore is writing a new chapter in its history, fueled by cultural tastemakers and creative entrepreneurs. Today’s Baltimore is a vibrant community that honors the past while keeping a keen eye on the future. In Charm City, they can see the largest public collection of Matisse in the world (for free!), sip a craft beer in the sanctuary of a con- verted church and stay in a four-star hotel poised atop an historic recreation pier. The Baltimore Convention Center is locat- ed in the heart of the bustling Inner Har- bor district. After a busy day at the conven- tion center, attendees will love clearing their minds with a stroll along the waterfront promenade and networking over cocktails and bites at one of many restaurants and bars overlooking the water. The hotels along the Inner Harbor are also just steps from performances at Royal Farms Arena and cul- tural attractions like the Chesapeake Shake- speare Company, National Aquarium and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. Continued from Page A35 2021 NFDA International Convention & Expo: Reunited and It Felt So Good Continued on page A37 MUSIC CITY 2021 NFDA Convention Highlights continued Photos Courtesy NFDA