The 2011 NFDA International Convention & Expo, being held in conjunction with the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), will take place October 23-26 in Chicago.

Up-to-date information about the 2011 NFDA International Convention & Expo can be found by visiting www.nfda.org/chicago2011. Save $20 when you register for the NFDA Convention online. Enter discount code CV11W20 during checkout.

Hotels Sold Out

The NFDA room blocks at the Convention hotels have sold out. If you have not yet secured accommodations for the NFDA Convention, you may contact NFDA's travel agency for assistance: Omega World Travel, 414-409-4897 or 800-969-4152.

Check out the Business Exchange Exhibitor Presentations

The Business Exchange Exhibitor Presentations make their return to the NFDA Convention. During these 40-minute sessions, exhibitors will share information that will help funeral professionals overcome business challenges. These presentations are open to all convention attendees, including those who have received an "Expo Only" pass from an NFDA exhibiting company. No continuing education credits are offered for the Business Exchange Exhibitor Presentations.

• Monday, October 24
  • 7:30 a.m.
    • Leveraging the Online Obituary: Increase Customer Satisfaction, Revenue and Brand Awareness, John Heald, Tributes.com
  • 8:30 a.m.
    • Improve Business Efficiency With Electronic Payment Acceptance, Tony Heinz, Bank of America Merchant Services
    • Digital Memorialization: Adding to Your Professional Image – and Your Bottom Line, Cindy Brooke, Brooke International
    • Removal and Alternative Viewing Strategies, Timothy Totten, Final Embrace
• Tuesday, October 25
  • 7:30 a.m.
    • Take Your Funeral Home Mobile, Ron Gushulak, Making Everlasting Memories
    • The Time to AC2T is Now to Improve Profitability and Family Satisfaction, Nectar Ramirez, Options by Batesville Cremation
    • Fiduciary Excellence for Investment Stewards, Harold Grubbs, RFC, ALF, DSRP, Financial Management Inc.
  • 8:30 a.m.
    • Exploring the Future: The Batesville Endura Vault, Troy Turner, Batesville Vaults
    • The Importance of Service to Your Personal Brand, Keith Presley, Deaton Kennedy
    • Alternative Materials in Funeral Service, Lisa Barlow, Vantage Products Corp.
  • 11 a.m.
    • A Revenue-generating Website for Free? Really?, Peter Richardson and Felix Tsatskis, The Dodge Company Using Telecommunications to Manage and Grow Your Funeral Home, Kevin Czachor, ASD Inc.
    • Make It Personal: Merchandising Personalization, Bob Hoaglund, Messenger
• Wednesday, October 26
  • 7:30 a.m.
    • Achieving Success in a Tough Economy, Deb St. Pierre, Batesville Merchandising
    • The Client Family Attraction Formula, Joe Joachim, funeralOne
  • 8:30 a.m.
    • Googled... The Internet: My Frequent Friend and Occasional Enemy, Troy Brake, Batesville Interactive
    • The Director's Select Retirement Plan – Big Benefits for Your Funeral Home, Don Williams, Director's Select Retirement Plan
    • A Child Funeral: Turning Your Least Favorite Call Into a Meaningful Service, Mike Mims, Cherokee Child Caskets

Celebrate Funeral Service All-Stars

Join in the celebration with your colleagues to recognize a group of elite funeral professionals during the All-Star Recognition Ceremony and Reception on Monday, October 24 at 4:15 p.m.

Guest speaker Patrick Hallinan, superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery, will share his experiences serving and honoring fallen soldiers.

During this reception and ceremony, we will honor:

• Funeral homes that earned a 2011 NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Award.
• Individuals who have earned or renewed their NFDA Certified Preplanning Consultant (CPC) designation in the last year.
• Funeral professionals who received the CANA Crematory Operator Certification in the last year.
• Funeral directors who obtained their CFSP designation from the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice in the last year.
• Former CANA Executive Director Jack Springer.

There is no charge to attend this event.

NFDA and CANA are generously supported by Federated Insurance Company, Batesville Casket Company, Facultatieve Technologies, Frazer Consultants, Madelyn Company, Matthews International, Memories by Design, Nomis Publications, American Crematory Equipment, American Funeral Financial, Case New Holland, Cemetery Funeral Supply, Deaton-Kennedy Company, Director's Select Retirement Plan (DSRP), Doric Products Inc., Funeral Call, Homesteaders Life Company Illinois Funeral Directors Association and Messenger.