From the Welcome Party at Mardi Gras World to the Funeral Professionals - Young and New Party, there are countless opportunities for you to network, celebrate, and experience the essence of New Orleans during the 2024 NFDA International Convention & Expo (October 20-23). 

Funeral Service Foundation Golf Classic – October 20: Join your colleagues for a day on the greens at TPC Louisiana. This event supports the Foundation’s mission while providing a fun and competitive networking opportunity. The $350 fee includes transportation, tournament fees, food and beverages and 18 holes of play. Visit FuneralServiceFoundation.org/Golf to register and learn about sponsorship opportunities.

ReConnect – October 20: If you didn't want your 2024 Professional Women’s Conference to end, can renew relationships with fellow attendees and other funeral service professionals at ReConnect, sponsored by National Guardian Life (NGL). There is no charge for this event but we do ask you to please RSVP to Christina Von Den Bergh (cvondenbergh@nfda.org) if you plan to attend. 

Welcome Party – October 20: Kick off the NFDA Convention with style at Mardi Gras World, enjoying live music, hors d’oeuvres, and the iconic New Orleans Hurricane drink. This event is included with registration and is the perfect way to meet and reconnect with your friends and colleagues in a festive setting. The Welcome Party is sponsored in part by Legacy.com and Batesville.

All-Star Recognition Ceremony – October 21: Join the NFDA Board of Directors as the association celebrates the remarkable accomplishments of funeral homes and funeral service professionals from the past year during the All-Star Recognition Ceremony. NFDA will recognize: 2024 NFDA Pursuit of Excellence Award recipients; NFDA Green Funeral Practice Certificate holders; NFDA Cremation Certification designees; NFDA Certified Preplanning Consultants; Funeral Service Foundation scholarship recipients; 2024-25 NFDA National Emerging Leaders Program participants; 2024 Meet the Mentors participants; 2024 NFDA Inspiration Award recipient; NFDA International Professional Achievement Certificate holders; and Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice Certified Funeral Service Practitioners. This event is included with registration. 

Service of Remembrance – October 22: When someone dies in New Orleans, a traditional jazz funeral begins with a slow, somber march to the church or funeral home and, after the service, concludes with a joy-filled second line procession. All attendees are invited to attend the annual Service of Remembrance, which will incorporate these traditions while honoring the memory of funeral service family members who died during the past year. The Service of Remembrance is sponsored by Tukios and Messenger and is included with registration.

Funeral Professionals - Young and New – October 22: Whether your are new to the profession or under 40, join your fellow funeral service professionals for tempting appetizers, refreshing cocktails and the spine-tingling “New Orleans Original True Crime Tour – Sinister Criminal Intentions.” Additional registration is required for this event and you must be at least 21 to attend. 

Community and Charity

Plan to come in a day early to join your colleagues on October 19 for a day of giving back to the New Orleans community. This volunteer opportunity with Rebuilding Together enables you to make a meaningful impact on our host city, reflecting the spirit of service that defines the funeral service profession. Please contact Deana Gillespie, dgillespie@nfda.org, for more information and to sign up to participate. 

Additionally, you can lace up your running shoes for the inaugural Lasting Legacies 5K Run/Walk on October 22, benefiting a local New Orleans charity. This event offers a unique chance to network while enjoying the beautiful grounds of historic Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home and Cemetery. Registration is $50 and includes the entry fee, t-shirt, transportation, refreshments and awards for the top three male and female finishers.

Explore New Orleans

The city of New Orleans – with world renowned restaurants, nightlife, history and culture – offers a dynamic experience that is vibrant and unlike that of any other American city. The cultural riches, sensual indulgences and unparalleled service that define New Orleans continue to flourish as they have for centuries.

There are now more dining options in New Orleans than ever before. More than 1,000 restaurants – from four-star cuisine to corner po-boy shops – elevate food to an art form. 

New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz and music of all genres continues to flourish today. The city’s vibrant music scene receives raves from critics, visitors and locals. 

New Orleans’ shops and boutiques – from the French Quarter to Magazine Street – offer some of the finest and most eclectic shopping in the U.S. 

The celebrated historic core of the city – including the French Quarter, Central Business District, Warehouse and Arts District, Magazine Street, Garden District, Audubon Zoo and Park, and the stately St. Charles Avenue – is better than ever. 

To help you experience the magic of the Big Easy, NFDA has coordinated five city tours, each offering a distinct perspective on the city’s rich history and vibrant culture. These tours require separate registration and are quickly filling up.

• October 20: The “Big Easy” Private City Tour
• October 20: A Taste of New Orleans Tour
• October 21: Sacred & Mysterious Churches and Cemeteries Tour
• October 21: A Haunted French Quarter Evening Tour - SOLD OUT!
• October 22: Louisiana Flatboat Swamp Tour

Register and Book Your Hotel Today

The NFDA International Convention & Expo is the premier event in funeral service! Don't miss your chance to take your career and your business to the next level by learning and networking with the best, brightest and most innovative minds in funeral service. Click here to register now so you can:  

• Expand your skill sets
• Connect in person with new and long-time colleagues
• Get inspired by compelling speakers
• Discover new solutions to your most pressing challenges
• Enjoy the vibrant city of New Orleans
• And much more! 

Maritz Global Events is the official hotel bureau for the 2024 NFDA International Convention & Expo. Maritz enables you to easily compare hotel prices and locations to find the accommodation that best meets your needs. Maritz’s simple booking process – and friendly, helpful staff – will make booking a hotel room and managing reservations a breeze. Click here to make your reservation by September 26.

The latest information, including information on how to register and make hotel reservations, is available at NFDA.org/Convention or by calling 800-228-6332 (+1-262-789-1880).