During the 2019 NFDA International Convention & Expo (October 27-30 in Chicago), a lot of networking will happen during workshops and in the Expo Hall, but NFDA's distinctive social events will give you an opportunity to develop new relationships and renew old ones. Special events, planned exclusively for you, will showcase Chicago as one of America’s (and the world’s) favorite cities.
You won’t want to miss your chance to say thank you to Chicago by participating in NFDA’s annual service project with Habitat for Humanity. On Saturday, October 26, attendees will help make the dream of home ownership a reality for a Chicago family by volunteering at a Habitat for Humanity build site. There is no fee to participate but attendees must sign up in advance. If you can't participate at the build site, you can support volunteers’ efforts by signing on as a donor or sponsor.
Since its 2001 inception, the Funeral Service Foundation’s golf outing has raised more than $1 million to advance its mission to support funeral service in building meaningful relationships with the families and communities it serves. On Sunday, October 27, experience all the perks of the Foundation’s annual Golf Classic in a social, casual and exciting atmosphere at Topgolf in Naperville, Ill. New this year, if you don’t golf but still want to support the Foundation, you can attend as a spectator and experience the networking and excitement of the day without the pressure of swinging a club. Visit www.FuneralServiceFoundation.org/golf to register and learn about sponsorship opportunities.
Channel your inner Jake or Elwood during the Blues Brothers-inspired Welcome Party on Sunday, October 27. Taking place in the Aon Ballroom at legendary Navy Pier, guests will enjoy Chicago’s most requested tribute band, The Blooze Brothers; Chicago-inspired snacks; and a cash bar (included with registration).
Celebrate the shining stars of funeral service during the All-Star Recognition Ceremony on Monday, October 28. NFDA will recognize firms that earned the 2019 NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Award – including Best of the Best recipients and Hall of Excellence inductees – or NFDA’s Green Funeral Practice Certificate. NFDA will also honor this year’s NFDA Certified Crematory Operators, NFDA Certified Cremation Services Providers, NFDA Certified Preplanning Consultants, the Funeral Service Foundation’s award/scholarship recipients, and APFSP’s Certified Funeral Service Practitioners (included with registration). If you have received one or more of these honors are invited to attend and be recognized with their peers.
Public-safety officials serve and protect their communities and put their lives on the line every day. When the time comes, their lives deserve to be remembered with the utmost honor and respect through a meaningful funeral service. Please make time to attend the Service of Remembrance on Tuesday, October 29 as we explore the customs associated with celebrating the lives of public servants, and honor the memory of funeral service family members who died this year (included with registration).
If you attend the Funeral Directors Under 40 Party on Tuesday, October 29, you will have to keep your eye on the ball. Whether you're a ping pong pro or just interested in a casual volley, you can channel your inner Forrest Gump and serve up some fun with your fellow funeral directors! Tickets for the event include ping-pong tournament (with prizes!), pizza, hors d’oeuvres and three drink tickets.
As the NFDA Convention comes to a close, join your colleagues for An Evening Under the Sea on Wednesday, October 30 at the renowned Shedd Aquarium. You can explore Shedd Aquarium like never before during this unforgettable evening. Soak up Abbott Oceanarium’s breathtaking recreation of a Pacific Northwest coastline and enjoy the Underwater Beauty Exhibit during cocktail hour. The evening continues with exclusive access to the Caribbean Reef and aquarium galleries, complete with dinner stations featuring a taste of Chicago, live music and a hosted bar (tickets required).
Get the scoop on everything that is happening at the 2019 NFDA International Convention & Expo - including these exclusive events - by visiting www.nfda.org/chicago2019.