7:30-8:30 a.m.

Guerrilla Tactics to Boost Profits, Enhance Your Brand and Send Your Competition Running Scared
Dan Heaman, Affton, Missouri

Is your firm facing tougher competition? Do you have a firm in decline and in need of a turnaround? If so, you need creativity, flexibility and a willingness to change your approach to not only win customers but keep them as customers forever. This program will teach you powerful, proven techniques using advertising, marketing and PR to grab attention, win loyalty and succeed in your market. (1 CE hour)

It’s About The Future... Yours
Alan Creedy, Creedy & Company, Raleigh, NC

In 1998, Creedy warned that we should prepare for this last decade, in which deaths would decline, profitability per call would decrease and consumer price resistance would increase. Unfortunately, very few listened. This program focuses on Creedy’s new predictions for our immediate future. He will share his thoughts on what must be done to prepare for the profession’s single greatest opportunity in its history. (1 CE hour)

Mortuary Litigation From A to Z
Shun Newbern, Shun Newbern & Associates, Huntington Beach, CA

From the first call to the final interment, every action with the family can result in some form of litigation. This session will discuss mortuary and embalming cases handled by Shun Newbern & Associates and offer solutions for managers and supervisors to better train staff and protect the business. (1 CE hour)

Social Networking and Blogging: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
William Ford, SESCO Management Consultants, Bristol, TN

The rapid growth of social networking websites in the workplace means employers can no longer ignore the realities that almost everyone is a member of a social network, be it MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or others. Some employers are taking advantage of social networking in promoting their business or product, but certainly all are concerned with the liability social networks pose for both the user and the sites themselves. Explore the realities of social networking and blogging to include the good, the bad and the ugly. SESCO will provide recommendations on reducing liability as case law is relatively unsettled; however, some recent developments have created intriguing precedents. A complete, thorough take-home manual will be provided that includes suggested policies and processes an employer should implement to reduce liability associated with this media phenomenon. (1 CE hour)

The Living Cemetery: Going Native 101
Cynthia Beal, Natural Burial Company, Eugene, Oregon

Many existing cemeteries can offer some form of natural burial without too much investment. Informed funeral directors can assist suitable cemeteries in marketing those conversions – when that happens, both sides win. Join Natural Burial Company founder Cynthia Beal, one of the leading experts on sustainable cemetery management in the UK, along with your fellow natural funeral service providers for ideas on how to stimulate, support and lead existing cemeteries in a nationwide transition to more natural practices. She’ll answer hard questions and help overcome obstacles, so bring your issues! (1 CE hour)

8:45- 9:45 a.m.

Cancer and NFDA’s Formaldehyde Best Management Practices
Edward Ranier, Ranier Law, Timonium, MD
Carol Green, Law Offices of Carol Lynn Green, Bethesda, MD

The National Cancer Institute has issued its report on whether formaldehyde can cause cancer in funeral directors. Hear about the report findings, how NFDA’s formaldehyde best practices will help protect funeral directors and new toxin-free embalming products. This is critical information and every funeral director should be aware. (1 CE hour)

Cremation Litigation Prevention and Preparation: How to Keep From Getting Sued and What to Do if You Do
Chris Farmer, Sheehy, Ware & Pappas P.C., Houston, TX

Learn how to prevent litigation, be prepared for litigation should it be threatened and what to do when you are sued. Also learn how to best address issues to maximize the opportunity for resolution while still protecting your firm, how to handle claims and prepare your firm (and your files) to handle claims, and how to best prepare for the defense of the claims against you. (1 CE hour)

Maximizing Preneed Profitability in Small Firms
Graham Cook, Homesteaders Life Company, West Des Moines, IA

Cook will help you define what preneed profitability means for your funeral home, examine attitudes toward preneed, and then identify how you can achieve and measure preneed success. (1 CE hour)

Understanding Personalities: Working and Coping Styles for Effective Business Relationships
Darcie Sims, Grief Inc., Puyallup, WA

How can we work with a variety of personalities, working styles and coping methods, and still have harmony in the workplace and in relationships? Learn why we react differently and identify your own personality style. This workshop will also provide insights about your customers’ personalities and how to best meet their varying needs. An educational and fun workshop for supervisors, co-workers and anyone in a relationship! (1 CE hour)

Web Rx
James Spellos, Meeting U, Bayside, NY

Is your website effectively meetings its goals? This interactive session analyzes different websites and shares a number of free tools to help ensure that your site maximizes your marketing objectives. (1 CE hour)