REGISTER NOW | $695
Join us for an immersive and dynamic in-person event designed exclusively for funeral service owners and operators!
Benefits of attending this conference:
- Industry Trends: Stay updated on trends, innovations, and best practices to adapt strategies to changing client needs.
- Business Operations: Learn to streamline processes, optimize resources, and implement efficient management systems for better performance.
- Network Expansion: Connect with peers for collaboration, mentorship, and idea exchange.
- Personal and Professional Growth: Engage with experts, gain fresh perspectives, enhance leadership skills, and deepen industry understanding.
- Marketing and Branding: Learn funeral industry-specific marketing and branding techniques to attract clients and build reputation.
- Access to Leaders: Interact with industry leaders who lead discussions and presentations on critical topics.
- Comprehensive Content: Covering trends, marketing, operations, and services, ensuring a well-rounded education.
- Elevated Success: Implement learned insights to improve services, operations, and overall business success.
Speakers
Agenda
DAY 1- October 24
8:30 am Registration Opens & Continental Breakfast
Sponsored by Implant Recycling
9:00-9:15 am Conference Opens
Welcome, Opening Remarks, and Introductions
9:15-10:15 am
Tyler Anderson, Precoa
Unlocking Preneed: How to leverage preneed to increase case volume and average funeral value.
With business costs rising and more families choosing discount providers, building your funeral home’s value in the market has never been more important. In this session, learn how the nation’s top funeral homes use proactive preneed to create consistently great consumer experiences and improve preneed efficiencies to scale up the number of families who value ceremony and gathering as an essential step in their grieving process. You’ll introduce more new families to your brand, deepen relationships with families already familiar with your funeral home, and position yourself competitively for years to come.
10:15-10:30 am Break
Sponsored by Answering Service for Directors (ASD)
10:30-11:15 am
Craig Meehan, Answering Service for Directors (ASD)
10 Reasons Your Funeral Home Is Losing Shopper Calls
For years, ASD-Answering Service for Directors has tracked the number of shopper callers who have contacted funeral homes to compare prices and other options. Over the past decade, the number has steadily increased, with a noticeable uptick recorded during the pandemic. The data reveal that 18% of at-need callers will contact a second funeral home for which ASD answers to compare. NFDA’s 2022 Consumer Awareness and Preferences Survey confirms these findings. The report concluded that more than one-fifth (20.5%) of funeral consumers contacted more than one funeral home in their time of need last year. As an owner, you may not find these numbers especially alarming, especially if you’re not located in a competitive market. Current data indicate, however, that by 2040, there will be approximately 1 million more deaths per year than there are today, so there may be times when you are so busy you don’t want to make a great deal of effort to capture new cases. Still, it is important to maintain a long-term vision and know that even if shopper callers do not impact your bottom line today, they very well may in the future. Learn about 10 of the most common reasons why funeral homes are missing out on these valuable sales opportunities, along with actionable steps for improving your shopper call outcomes.
11:15-11:30 am Break
Sponsored by The Foresight Companies
11:30-12:30pm
Chris Cruger, The Foresight Companies
If not now, when? —The Truth About Your Business Succession
The funeral profession is changing every day. The events of the past couple years have ushered in a new expectation by the consumer. In this timely session, Chris Cruger will touch upon the reimagined funeral and cemetery profession and how it plays a part in the current state of succession planning. He will highlight how the business model must evolve and adapt to the new needs of the consumer and will hit upon the points that many owners overlook when not only seeking a buyer but also starting the succession planning process. These insights can also be used by buyers seeking to grow through acquisition.
12:30-1:45 pm Lunch
Sponsored by Domanicare and Precoa
1:45-2:45 pm
Kyle Fogarty, MemoryShare
Livestreaming in Our Post-Pandemic World
Is it still worth it to live stream services in this post-pandemic world? What is the simplest way to add livestreaming to your workflow and standard of care?
If you do stream, are you streaming in a manner that helps or hurts your business?
Kyle will address these questions and provide insights into the challenges faced by MemoryShare's customers, along with the solutions they have implemented. Additionally, he will explore the strategies and shifts in consumer behavior that he has observed over the past four years.
2:45-3:00 pm Break
Sponsored by MemoryShare
3:00-4:00 pm
August Esposito, Implant Recycling
Session coming soon
5:00-6:00 pm Cocktail Party
Sponsored by
Implant Recycling
DAY 2 - October 25
8:30 am Day 2 opens & Continental Breakfast
Sponsored by
Implant Recycling
9:00-10:00 am
Will Bischoff, Homesteaders Life Company
Community Engagement Keys to Success
Learn how a funeral home can engage their community in a multi-faceted approach that educates its members on the value they provide. Whether it is in-person seminars or leveraging crowd funding to promote a worthy cause, a funeral home can enhance its value to a community beyond simply caring for at-need services.
10:00-10:15 am Break
Sponsored by
Homesteaders Life Company
10:15-11:15 am
Greg Rollings, Rollings Funeral Service INC.
What to Consider when Buying and Selling
We will walk through the different buyers of funeral homes. We will discuss what makes a good fit and how values are so different for different buyers. We will discuss the landscape of funeral service today and where the industry is going.
11:15-11:30 am Break
11:30-12:30
Jon Lefrandt, Domanicare
Pre-emptive Marketing and the Consumer Experience: Your New (and one of your most important) line items on your budget
I. Introduction In today's rapidly changing world, it is imperative for funeral and cemetery professionals to adapt their businesses to the evolving needs of consumers. As the consumer takes the lead, it is crucial to focus on delivering the best possible experience to retain existing business and attract future clientele. This business outline explores the significance of the Consumer Experience (CX) and outlines strategies to leverage it for sustainable growth.
II. Understanding the Consumer Experience (CX)
III. Enhancing the Current CX
IV. Long-Term CX Strategy
V. Leveraging CX for Future Growth
VI. Embracing Innovation for CX Excellence
VII. Marketing and Communication
VIII. Conclusion In conclusion, funeral and cemetery professionals must prioritize the Consumer Experience (CX) to thrive in the ever-changing business landscape. By embracing CX as a central focus, businesses can ensure customer satisfaction, strengthen loyalty, and position themselves for sustained growth in the future. Now is the time to invest in the consumer journey and create lasting impressions that lead to a successful and prosperous business.
12:30-1:30 pm Lunch and Q&A Wrap-up
Sponsored by Precoa and Domanicare
1:30-2:30 pm
Camelia L. Clark, Paradise Memorial Funeral and Cremation Services
Unveiling Synergies: Uniting Personal and Business Brands for Success
This thought-provoking session will explore the power of aligning your personal and business brands to maximize impact and achieve success. Discover the key strategies to harmonize and elevate both brands, allowing them to complement and propel each other forward. Gain insights on communicating your values, traits, and expertise to forge a strong connection with your market. Join us as we delve into the dynamic personal and business branding world and unlock the potential for unlimited growth and recognition.
2:30 pm Q&A Wrap-up & closing
Register Today
Register for this two-day event to listen, learn and engage as our speakers inform, educate
and answer your questions. Connect with other attendees throughout the conference
and join us for a special networking cocktail reception.
