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"Sand, Sea & Seminars"
ICFA 2003 Small Cemetery & Funeral
Management Conference
September 18-20, 2003
Four Points by Sheraton Santa Monica
Santa Monica, California
Program Chair: Mike Steen
Chairman's Letter
Program Schedule
Prices
Continuing Education Credits
Cancellation Policy
Speakers
Download the Registration Form
Download the Hotel Reservation Form
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EXHIBITORS: View Trade Fair Prospectus!
Chairman's Letter
Dear Colleague,
I invite you to find inspiration in an outstanding educational program on the Pacific Coast by experiencing the 2003 ICFA Small Cemetery and Funeral Management Conference, September 18-20 in Santa Monica, California. Offering the latest industry information presented by highly respected colleagues and speakers, this conference specifically focuses on the needs and concerns of small and mid-sized cemeteries and funeral homes.
Our Roundtable Discussions provide an opportunity to share concerns and develop real-world solutions with your peers. Our site tours will bring you to excellent facilities for hands-on equipment demonstrations as well as intriguing examples of grounds development. And take advantage of our Trade Fair to interact with industry suppliers and learn about the newest products on the market.
Santa Monica provides the perfect setting to soak up the sun. Immerse yourself in the California lifestyle by exploring three miles of scenic coastline, two world-class beaches, nearby mountains, historic Santa Monica Pier and the Third Street Promenade shopping district. Santa Monica is the ideal spot to blend business and pleasure for you and your family.
I encourage you to bring home more than just shells from the beach this year…bring home the power of the sea!
Program Schedule
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
8:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Registration
8:45 - 11:45 a.m.
Municipal, Non-Profit and Religious Cemetery Program
Moderator: Phil Carpenter
- Water Conservation and the Use of Recycled Water in Green Space
Neal Shapiro
This two-part session focuses on cost-effective ways to conserve and recycle water—a challenge everyone must address sooner or later. Learn specific technologies designed to make the most efficient use of water in green space and how this translates to your location. Take an in-depth look at the use of recycled water in landscaping and how you can work with your municipality to promote this concept.
- New Development: A Municipal Challenge
Dennis Radford
Limited staffs and financial restraints can make it difficult for municipal cemeteries to develop new sections and features. Learn how Dennis Radford of Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery opened the highly profitable Promontory Green, a mixed interment garden. This informative presentation provides invaluable how-to advice on developing, designing, funding, building and marketing a successful municipal cemetery management plan.
12 noon - 12:30 p.m.
General Session
Program Chair:Mike Steen &Committee Chair:Nancy Hilliard
Welcome and Introduction of Exhibitors
12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Lunch with Exhibitors
2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Threat Assessment and Negligent Hiring Prevention
Dr. William Schneid, Ph.D.,
With incidents of workplace violence steadily increasing, it is imperative to take a proactive rather than reactive approach when hiring new cemetery and funeral service personnel and managing existing staff. In this high-energy presentation, criminologist William Schneid shows you how to develop preventive measures to safeguard your employees and your facility. Discover the important questions to ask to avoid negative hires in the first place and how to determine potentially violent situations involving former employees.
3:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Coffee Break With Exhibitors
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Sales Without Selling
Tim Gaffney
Even if your cemetery or funeral home doesn't have a full-fledged sales program, selling your products and services is one of your staff's primary jobs. Discover a unique "Sales Without Selling" approach centered on excellent customer service. Learn the questions your front line people should be asking to achieve almost effortless sales. Uncover the secrets to turning customer complaints into positive experiences, resulting in added service and sales. This dynamic presentation includes an audience Q&A session for sharing ideas to revitalize your bottom line.
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Reception with Exhibitors
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
8:00 - 9:00 a.m. & 3:30- 6:00 p.m.
Registration
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Continental Breakfast with Exhibitors
9:00 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Woodlawn Cemetery and Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary Tours
Lunch sponsored by Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary
Visit area properties for an up-close look at operations and the latest architectural designs. Woodlawn showcases its new mausoleum, featuring an exquisite stained glass and statuary collection, followed by an informative, hands-on equipment demonstration. Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary hosts a luncheon and afternoon tour of one of the largest cemeteries and funeral service operations in the country. Be sure to stop and smell the flowers in the award-winning Pageant of Roses Garden, featuring over 52 varieties. Let the peaceful, serene setting of the Sky Rose Chapel inspire you to envision improvements to your own location. Learn how this upscale chapel has led to successful market diversification for Rose Hills and how you can follow its lead.
3:30 - 4:45 p.m.
My Experience at Ground Zero in New York City and Oklahoma City
Jim Hone
Involved in disaster response, recovery and training for more than 20 years, Jim Hone has stoically responded to six presidential-declared federal disasters. Join Hone as he shares his personal experiences from Ground Zero on September 11 in New York City and from the Murrah Federal Building after the bombing in Oklahoma City. As we seek to comfort and counsel the families we serve in the face of daily and national tragedies, this moving presentation offers lessons for us all.
5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Networking Reception with Exhibitors
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Registration
8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Continental Breakfast with Exhibitors
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Return of Casualties Following Airline Disasters
Sean Douglas
The unthinkable has happened. A major airline's plane has gone down with no possibility of survivors. During the ensuing pandemonium, the airline reaches out to the experts in the field—Douglas Airline Funeral Coordinators. Called on by the airline industry to coordinate the recovery, transportation and preparation of the victims, Sean Douglas walks you through the procedures for identifying and preparing human remains and personal effects of the deceased in an effort to return them to their loved ones as soon as possible.
11:00 - 12 noon
How to Avoid lawsuits (And What to Do If You Do Get Sued)
Douglas O. Meyer
In this enlightening seminar, you'll discover common reasons why funeral homes and cemeteries get sued and effective strategies to protect your company from lawsuits. You'll also learn the initial steps to take if faced with an impending lawsuit and the hidden costs of being sued. Audience participation is encouraged throughout this
presentation.
12 noon - 1:00 p.m.
Lunch
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Ethnic Funerals
Enoch Glascock
The concept of America as a melting pot is ever more relevant in today's society. This session provides an in-depth look at the evolving funeral customs and ethnic traditions being introduced into the United States. Learn how cemeteries and funeral homes can prepare to meet the changing needs of their customers by embracing and incorporating ethnic ceremonies.
2:00 -3:00 p.m.
Cremation Panel Discussion
Moderator: Tim Gaffney
Speakers:Mike Steen, Jon Gerchas & Enoch Glascock
As the cremation rate continues to rise, are you prepared to meet and serve the needs of your cremation consumers? Join this distinguished group as they address a range of cremation issues and develop strategies to meet the challenges faced by cemeteries and funeral homes.
3:00 - 3:15 p.m.
Coffee Break
3:15 - 5:00 p.m.
Roundtable Discussion
Join your peers to discuss problems and solutions on topics that are important to you. To truly make "The Small" your conference, we will focus on your ideas about areas you would like to discuss with your colleagues. What are your challenges? Media relations? Direct mail marketing? Cemetery regulations? Aftercare and family service? Topics will be chosen from your input on the Registration Form, so please be sure to include your suggestions. Ideas learned from your colleagues throughout the country can be among the most valuable benefits of the entire program.
6:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Reception
7:00 p.m.
Dinner
Prices
Registration fees are as follows:
- ICFA Member: $269 before August 11; $314 after August 11
- Non-Member: $340 before August 11; $340 after August 11
- Municipal/Non-Profit (September 18): $155 before August 11; $175 after August 11
Please note that all full registrations include admission at no additional cost to the municipal/non-profit program.
All lunches, receptions and dinners are included in your registration. Additional tickets may be purchased for guests. Please see the registration form for prices.
Continuing Education Credits
Funeral directors may earn continuing education credits at the conference, pending state credit awards. CE Attendance Certificates will be available at the ICFA on-site registration desk.
Cancellation Policy
Registrants who cancel their registration by August 11, 2003, will receive refunds. All cancellations must be in writing and will be subject to a $50 per person processing fee. Cancellations made after August 11, 2003, will not be refunded.
Refunds for ticketed events will be offered if the cancellation request is received in writing at ICFA headquarters by August 11, 2003, less a $5 processing fee per ticket. No refunds will be offered after this date.
For more information, call the ICFA Meetings Department at 1-800-645-7700
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