Creating Connections in Las Vegas July 21, 2023 There is so much to experience during education sessions and in the Expo Hall at the 2023 NFDA International Convention & Expo, taking place September 10-13 in Las Vegas. But, you really won’t want to miss NFDA's distinctive special events, which will give you an opportunity to reunite with colleagues you’ve known for years while creating new connections with colleagues you are meeting for the first time. Habitat for Humanity On Saturday, September 9, you can swap you suit and trocar for jeans and a hammer to help improve and refurbish a home for a local family by volunteering at a Habitat for Humanity of Las Vegas build site. There is no fee to participate in this annual service project, but volunteer slots are limited, and you must sign up in advance. If you cannot join us at the build site, you can support the efforts of your colleagues by signing on as a donor or sponsor. Visit www.nfda.org/habitat for more information about sponsorship and volunteer opportunities. Funeral Service Foundation Golf Classic Now in its 23rd year, the Funeral Service Foundation’s Golf Classic has raised nearly $1.6 million in support of its mission to invest in people and programs that strengthen funeral service and lift up grieving communities. On Sunday, September 10, experience all the perks of our annual Golf Classic in a social, casual and exciting atmosphere at Topgolf, a short ride from the Las Vegas Convention Center. No matter your skill level, at Topgolf, you will be able to take a swing and score points during tournament-style golf games. You can also relax and enjoy great food and drinks while networking with other fellow funeral service professionals. If an you don’t know the difference between a birdie and a divot, but still want to support the Foundation, you can attend as a spectator. Visit www.FuneralServiceFoundation.org/golf for more information and to register. Welcome Party Kick off your convention experience during the NFDA Convention Welcome Party on Sunday, September 10. Reconnect with old friends, plus make some new ones, while enjoying amazing music, hors d’oeuvres, and refreshments. Don’t miss it – it’s sure to be the “King” of all Welcome Parties … one Elvis would be proud of! The Welcome Party is sponsored by Batesville and Legacy.com. (Included with registration.) Those who have never attended an NFDA Convention are invited to the First-time Attendee Reception, starting just before the Welcome Party. Service of Remembrance – 9/11 Never Forget This year, NFDA’s Service of Remembrance will take place as part of the opening general session on Monday, September 11. As the nation observes the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, attendees will remember the victims as well as the families and survivors whose lives were forever changed. As is tradition, during the Service of Remembrance, NFDA will pay tribute to members of the funeral service family who died during the past year. The Service of Remembrance is generously supported by Tukios, Homesteaders and Messenger. (Included with registration.) All-Star Recognition Ceremony Join the NFDA Board of Directors as the association celebrates the remarkable accomplishments of funeral homes and funeral service professionals during the past year during the All-Star Recognition Ceremony on Monday, September 11. (Included with registration.) NFDA will recognize: 2023 NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Award recipients NFDA’s Green Funeral Practice Certificate holders NFDA Cremation Certification designees NFDA Certified Preplanning Consultants Funeral Service Foundation scholarship recipients 2022-23 NFDA National Emerging Leaders Program graduates 2023 NFDA Meet the Mentors program participants 2023 NFDA Inspiration Award Recipient NFDA International Professional Achievement Certificate holders Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice Certified Funeral Service Practitioners Funeral Directors Under 40 Party You won’t want to miss the Funeral Directors Under 40 Party on Tuesday, September 12. After a day at the convention center, socialize and unwind at Flight Club, located on the Las Vegas Strip in the Venetian Resort. You can enjoy friendly games of Social Darts, bespoke cocktails, and delicious shareable bites in an exclusive playing area. For those who aren’t familiar with how to play darts, entertaining game masters will show you the ropes. Tickets are required and include two drink tickets, hors d'oeuvres and unlimited game play for two hours. Funeral Face-off is Back NFDA’s ultimate funeral service trivia challenge is back! Create your team and test your funeral service knowledge for prizes, bragging rights, convention trivia immortality and the Funeral Face-off Cup! Three-person teams will compete in four rounds of funeral trivia with questions provided by mortuary science school faculty. The winning team will be determined live on stage before the closing keynote speaker on Wednesday, September 13. You should begin assembling your team and sign up by August 1. If you don’t have a team, sign up as an individual participant; NFDA will connect individual participants with others to form a team. PWC ReConnect – A Winning Experience If you didn’t want your 2023 Professional Women’s Conference to end, make plans to reconnect with fellow attendees in Las Vegas. Join colleagues and friends on Sunday, October 10 before the Welcome Party for PWC Re-connect to share drinks and appetizers while continuing to foster relationships with other female and nonbinary funeral service professionals. There is no charge for this event; additional details will be forthcoming. This event is generously sponsored by NGL. NFDA Central Connect with colleagues and association staff in NFDA Central. Here you can meet our member service representatives and other staff, join NFDA or renew your membership; discover resources to expand their horizons in the NFDA Store; pick up a souvenir NFDA Convention t-shirt; be inspired by the 2023 NFDA Pursuit of Excellence honorees (and sign up for the 2024 program year); and learn about the academic and professional-development scholarships and free resources available from the Funeral Service Foundation. Register and Make Hotel Reservations Today There are so many adventures to be had during the 2023 NFDA International Convention & Expo. When you register on or before August 23 to take advantage of early-bird pricing; after August 23, prices will increase by $100. With a variety of registration options, attendees can find the one that best meets their needs. New this year is the Expo Plus registration. A step up from the Expo Only registration, Expo Plus includes the Welcome Party, the opening general session and Service of Remembrance, All-star Recognition Ceremony, and, of course, access to the Expo Hall (does not include access to workshops, CE or the general sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday). Maritz Global Events is the official hotel bureau for the 2023 NFDA International Convention & Expo. Maritz enables attendees to easily compare hotel prices and locations to find the accommodations that best meet their needs. Whether attendees prefer to stay in the heart of The Strip or near the Las Vegas Convention Center, all hotels in NFDA’s room block are less than a 10-minute walk to the convention center. Maritz’s simple booking process – and friendly, helpful staff – will make finding accommodations and managing reservations a breeze. Reservations must be made by August 17. The latest information, including information on how to register and make hotel reservations, is available at www.nfda.org/Convention or by calling 800-228-6332.