Custom Casket Company - The Southern Funeral Director Magazine
Custom Casket Company - The Southern Funeral Director Magazine
Custom Casket Company - The Southern Funeral Director Magazine
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4<br />
<strong>The</strong> annual NFDA International Convention and Expo has long been<br />
considered the world’s premier funeral service event. This year<br />
it is being taken to another level. For the first time ever NFDA, the<br />
worlds leading and largest funeral service association is working in<br />
conjunction with CANA, the world’s foremost cremation association to<br />
create an experience of unsurpassed excellence.<br />
Members of the funeral profession will converge, communicate and<br />
collaborate in Chicago from October 23 through October 26. <strong>The</strong><br />
general sessions and special events are going to be terrific. <strong>The</strong><br />
Opening General Session will feature Chris Gardner whose book Pursuit of Happyness was made into a<br />
movie of the same name starring Will Smith. Mr. Gardner will share his incredible story with attendees.<br />
<strong>The</strong> All-Star Recognition Ceremony will feature a presentation by Arlington Cemetery Superintendent,<br />
Patrick Hallinan who will shed light on the current situation at our nation’s premier cemetery. <strong>The</strong> Closing<br />
General Session will feature Dr. Cyril Wecht who will discuss several high profile deaths including,<br />
President Kennedy, Elvis, Jon-Benet Ramsey, Laci Peterson and others.<br />
Last year’s Service of Remembrance included a New Orleans style funeral. This year we will incorporate<br />
traditions found in funerals of the Irish. Complete with bag pipers, tin whistlers, fiddlers and Irish songs,<br />
you won’t want to miss this special opportunity to remember those among us who died this past year.<br />
President-elect Randy Earl and his wife Evelyn are hosting the Annual President-elects reception. Juke<br />
Box Blues is the theme for what will be everyone’s opportunity to meet old friends and make new friends<br />
to the sounds of some of the best live music Chicago has to offer.<br />
Our under forty funeral directors will have their annual social event which will include a trolley ride and<br />
evening of fun and fellowship at the Public House on State Street.<br />
Of course NFDA will work again for Habitat for Humanity and there will be the <strong>Funeral</strong> Service Foundation<br />
Golf Classic. Add to this a Motorcycle Ride, Friends of Facebook Gathering and a Closing Celebration<br />
featuring Irish entertainment and music by the Gentlemen of Distinction and this year’s convention will<br />
surely be among the best ever.<br />
In addition to all the fun, there will be some serious information shared. NFDA and CANA have assembled<br />
the finest workshops anywhere. So if continuing education is what you’re looking for you’ll find it<br />
in Chicago.<br />
As President of NFDA during this historic convention I offer you a personal invitation to attend. I promise,<br />
you’ll be glad you were there.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Southern</strong> <strong>Funeral</strong> <strong>Director</strong> w Alliance NFDA & CANA Pre Convention 2011<br />
Feature guest:<br />
Pat Lynch, NFDA President