John Bolton, Heritage Family Cemeteries, Johnson City, Tennessee: It has been a wonderful experience; it really has been fun. I've learned quite a bit, and the networking opportunities are what has been really special. The speakers have all been good, but just networking with other people who experience the same things that I experience every day is invaluable.
Mark Crutch, Fairmount Heritage Inc.,
Spokane, Washington:
The exhibits give me the ability to see what the industry's doing, what's leading the way in this ever-changing market.
The keynote speaker today -- Todd Van Beck -- fantastic. He really had a lot to say. I got a lot of good ideas as far as marketing funeral homes, cemeteries. It really got me thinking about different marketing approaches for niches. Go to the Star Trek exhibit the Hilton has and see the laser lights -- it's nothing but a facade over a brick wall. Imagine little doors where you could put niches. It would be cool.
Ken & Jan Cunningham, Gardens of Gesthemane, Boston, Massachusetts
Ken: It's very interesting. I'm more of an outsider. I'm on the cemetery's board of directors, and I've only been doing it for the last six months.
I came here to become more informed on what the industry is all about so I can make better business decisions; I am here to learn. I've been listening to speakers in the morning and attending sessions in the afternoon. The morning speakers were fantastic -- Todd Van Beck and Ann Bastianelli -- just unbelievable.
The exhibits -- take this one right here, Memory Medallion (audio and video biiographies) -- that's fantastic -- I never even thought there were such products. And the booth next to it, the Mud Traks. I wouldn't even think of that -- and we use those in our cemetery.
Jan: We were talking to the Memory Medallion man this morning and it's going to come to the point where you can read it with your cell phone -- you're not going to need that hand-held device that they're selling with the medallion. I'm a genealogist; my heart starts thumping when I see something like that.
Jeffrey Elkins, Glendale Cemetery Association, Bloomfield, New Jersey: It's been interesting. On the general speakers, I found some of them to be quite good. The exhibit hall I found was informative; I made contacts with exhibitors.
Manny Francisco, Cemeteries of the Diocese of San Jose, California: I learned a lot. You have a lot of high-powered people here, a lot of good sessions. I just attended one given by Bob Gordon -- very interesting, very educational, worth the trip. In the exhibit hall I picked up quite a few ideas, met a lot of people.
John Gilbertson, The Cheltenham & Regional Cemetery Trust, Bangholme, Victoria, Australia: I have learned so much in these last few days; it's just been amazing. The talks this morning really gave me a great idea for what we've got to face in the future. These people know their stuff. I thought I knew a lot about the industry, but man, I've got a lot to learn. I've been in the industry 17 years, so I've been around a bit. I've had something like 100,000 funerals in organizations that I've managed, so I've seen a lot, done a lot, created a lot of innovations in Australia, but this inspires me.
It also confirms that a lot of the things we've been doing are headed in the right direction. For instance, one of the things that was mentioned this morning was that what we are really selling is peace of mind. I did a lot of research on a tag for our new 300-acre cemetery, and one of the things we came up with -- which we subsequently adopted -- was "where nature's beauty gives peace of mind." We've been finding that so successful, and now I know why.
The exhibits are brilliant. I've already made four new arrangements since I've been here, new contracts with suppliers, and ordered products to be delivered to the cemetery in Melbourne.
We certainly do live in a smaller world, and I really appreciate the free exchange of ideas with other cemeterians that I've met, and we've got something to share with them, too, because we've got a great success story in Australia with our new cemetery.
Barry Grantham, Lakeland Place, Brandon, Mississippi: I've been in the industry about a month, so I'm like a sponge, taking it all in and trying to take back what I need to be productive, primarily in sales. I've been to all the workshops I could go to, and they've pretty much all been helpful and effective. The exhibit hall been has been very educational for me, just walking and learning, finding out about products and services I never knew existed.
Matthew Hampton, Perpetua, Tucson, Arizona: It met the expectations I had based on my experience at the college (ICFAU), which were that it gave you information that's practical, it gave you information you can go back and apply at your property. I'm the director of marketing; I have a lot of people under me. I know I can take information back and make a difference in some of the things that we're doing and in some of the things that we want to do in our sales and marketing program.
Jim & Pat Harrell, Harrell Funeral Home, Dublin, Texas:
Jim: It's been very enlightening, very interesting and well done. I've been to a lot of NFDA meetings, but this is the first ICFA one I've been to. The seminars have been very informative.
The displays -- of course, this is the first time I've been to one that had cemeterians and everything -- so that has given me a lot of enlightenment even though we don't own a cemetery.
It's been a very interesting experience because of having everyone together; I've really enjoyed it. We're in a rural town; there are 17 little rural cemeteries we service. We don't own any of the cemeteries, but we have to work with them, and we'll try to pass on to them any knowledge we obtain.
Pat: I'm just having fun!
Robert Harvey, Oak Ridge Cemetery, Hillside, Illinois: It's very interesting and I think it's worthwhile. Everybody should go at least once or twice and support the ICFA. It think it's a worthwhile association.
Some of the speakers have been interesting. The exhibits are pretty interesting to me because even though I've been the majority shareholder in the company for 10 years, I've never really been to a convention.
Danny J. Hays, Beacon Hill Cemetery, Rockville, Indiana:
I think it is great. I've been to several conventions -- national, Florida state conventions, and this doesn't compare to them -- it's super. There's too much animosity or something at so many of them; everybody feels like somebody's stepping on somebody's toes or something. Everybody here is so friendly -- you can approach anybody, get the information you need. I feel this is really something I'd like to come back to again.
Miranda Hung, Alderwoods Group, British Columbia: I think it's great. I haven't been in the industry that long, so I'm learning a lot about the products and what's available, and meeting people.
Mary Mulvey Jacobson, The Gardens at Gesthemane, Boston, Massachusetts: It's been very helpful for somebody who really didn't know anything at all about the industry -- well, not as much as these people here, certainly. It's been a real eye-opener.
There have been some wonderful speakers, I've been very, very impressed with the way they delivered their messages.
Richard James, Perpetua, Tucson, Arizona: The thing I liked the most is the advancement in technology as a way to promote the death care business. Specifically the medallion we were just looking at in the exhibit hall at where you can actually get a video and audio snapshot of the person's life and history. Also some of the mapping software that's being used to help streamline the businesses and make them more efficient.
Roger Kreml, Palm Cemeteries & Mortuaries, Las Vegas, Nevada: It's fantastic. Love the booths, love the exhibits and I'm going to most of the seminars.
Barb Milton, Buchanan Group, Indianapolis, Indiana: I've enjoyed it immensely. There was a nice variety, and I've enjoyed meeting counterparts that even live in the same state who I've never met, so it worked out great. I enjoyed the exhibits, too. I knew some of the exhibitors, but some came with new concepts.
George & Martin Moeller, Angelcrest Cemetery, Valparaiso, Indiana:
George: It's been very interesting. I think they had some excellent speakers.
Martin: We also have a funeral background, so it's interesting to listen to the NFDA and the ICFA. It's a lot different crowd than what the funeral directing crowd is, and I like that a lot. It's more sales oriented. I think the cemeterians are a lot less inhibited about letting the public know that they have products that are available, and they're not ashamed to let the public know that they profit from those things.
Leo O'Connor, Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary, Santa Ana, California:
It's been great. This morning we've had two marvelous sessions, very informative. A lot of statistics, a lot of new ideas, especially for me, being new to the industry. I'll take a lot away from here.
Fanika Perika, Alderwoods Group, Toronto: It's neat; it's interesting. It's very nice to see everybody in one spot; it's a lot easier, meeting suppliers, seeing what's new and exciting and coming up in the industry.
Scott Pollov, Pinnacle Cemeteries, Phoenix, Arizona: It's been very educational. I've had an opportunity to talk to a lot of the vendors that we're going to be looking to work with in the future. Every workshop and seminar is an opportunity to increase my knowledge in the industry. As someone who recently joined the industry, there's a lot to learn. It's a great opportunity to hear people who are experts and get their ideas and opinions.
James Porter, San Gabriel Cemetery,
San Gabriel, California: I'm new to the business; I've picked up a lot of information. Our cemetery is old, established in 1872. Not too much has changed over the years, so I'm looking for some new, innovative ideas. We're trying to go right from the 19th century to the 21st century. I've gotten a lot of ideas for memorialization.
I've thoroughly enjoyed the convention and look forward to coming back again and doing some business with some of the people I've met here.
Hartwell Ragsdale III, Anderson-Ragsdale Mortuary, San Diego, California: I’ve enjoyed it very much. I especially liked the way the exhibit hall was laid out. Our state association’s conventions have been reduced to just a few exhibitors with very little to show. It’s good to be able to come and interact with people who are on the cemetery side. I don’t get that advantage very much from the funeral associations.
Also, the education was well structured to give people ample time for breaking in the middle of the day and resting in the evening, and it was well balanced as far as funeral information vs. cemetery information, so you could get a taste of each or of one or the other. And I’ve just been impressed with the quality of the people who are making the presentations and with the people who are in attendance—I’ve met people from all over the country. They seem to be here for the same reason that I am, to better what we’re able to do, the services we’re able to provide, and try to keep this industry headed in the right direction.
Gerard JB & Patricia Raymond,
St Peter's Cemetery, Lewiston, Maine:
Gerard: Excellent. We've had a chance to talk to a lot of the vendors, and the speakers we've had so far have been very good and we've had a great time. We're enjoying the weather tremendously, because it's been cold and snowing in the Northeast all winter, so it's great to be here.
Patricia: I'm enjoying it. Of course, he has meetings to go to; I come for the vacation part of it. I've had a great time, and I've enjoyed speaking to the different vendors. I went to the spouse breakfast and it was very nice.
David and Barbi Revel, Patterson Funeral Home, Chelsea, Alabama:
David: We came here primarily for the workshops. They have been very thought-provoking and I believe I have benefitted from that. It's been good to visit the exhibitors, too. I picked up some good ideas from some of the vendors with unique products.
Barbi: I agree. It's really been an experience, and I've learned a lot. A lot of eye-opening ideas.
Sister Ofelia Roibas, Our Mother of Sorrows Cemetery, Reno, Nevada: It has been a very positive experience. The exhibits were great; I enjoy every single booth. The other day I thought, two hours and a half for lunch in the exhibit hall, what am I going to do for that amount of time? But I ended up being late for the first workshop. People have been very nice and the whole conference has been very beneficial to me. I have been to all the workshops and general sessions.
Sheila Santana, Broussard, Louisiana: I'm really enjoying it. I especially enjoyed Mr. Van Beck, because I could relate to some of the things he said.
I'm happy to be here because I'm able to meet people from all over, and it's a pleasure just walking up to them and talking to them about why they're here and how they're enjoying being in the U.S. I travel worldwide, and the first place I go is the funeral homes. I've opened up some networking doors. I talked to Mr. Belgrove from Trinidad and told him I'll come there to see how things are being done.I'm really enjoying myself; this is the first time even being in Las Vegas. I've really enjoyed myself totally -- it's just an awesome place, and I will be back.
Larry Sharkey, Catholic Cemeteries of the Diocese of San Jose, Los Altos, California: The exhibits are good. As Catholic cemeterians we don't see a lot of these things, because we don't necessarily have funeral homes, so there are a lot of interesting products. The speakers are fantastic. Todd Van Beck was great. I went to school at ICFA University for five years, so I know he's always a good speaker, and he was right on what he said today. I bought a book from Dr. Laderman and he signed it for me, so that was great.
Stanley Stobierski, Heritage Memory Mortuary & Heritage Memorial Park, Prescott, Arizona: It was very nice, very informative. There were some good exhibits, and the continuing education seminars have been informative. It was fun and I enjoyed the festivities that surrounded the convention.
James Talbot, Battle Creek Memorial Park Association, Battle Creek, Michigan: I'm very impressed; I think they do a very nice job. The first speaker this morning I thought was very good, Glenn Gould; I was very impressed with him. There's a very strong exhibit part to this convention. I imagine because in our industry it is a fairly small group, it's an effective way for the companies to get in touch with a lot of people all at once.
Carolyn Towns, Cedar Park Cemetery,
Calumet Park, Illinois: The information is great. Seeing all the vendors under one roof was excellent. I'm a newcomer in the industry also, so this is just so exciting to me to get all this information in one place. This morning, the two speakers -- it was great information. Yesterday, the three -- it was great information It's a wealth of information to a newcomer in the industry. It's awesome.
Emir Tubayan, Heritage Park, Manila, Philippines: I'm very happy with being here, because I've learned a lot, especially from the new products I've seen that are not currently available in the Philippines. I'd like to maybe bring back some of these items. The lectures and discussions have been very helpful to me.
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John Bolton, Heritage Family Cemeteries, Johnson City, Tennessee: It has been a wonderful experience; it really has been fun. I've learned quite a bit, and the networking opportunities are what has been really special. The speakers have all been good, but just networking with other people who experience the same things that I experience every day is invaluable.