2010 ICCFA Convention Highlights from Linda Budzinski on Vimeo.

A video look back at the 2010 ICCFA Convention:

2010 ICCFA Convention Highlights from Linda Budzinski on Vimeo.

2010 ICCFA Convention & Exposition Attendee Reviews

My goodness I could live in San Antonio.  I was not crazy about Houston, real nice people, great food, but hot, hot, hot, hot.  

My personal opinion is that San Antonio has to be one of the best cities in the world to have a convention, fun, history, culture, and of course the River Walk, what a wonderful city.  

My buddy Rob Heppell from Canada had never seen the Alamo, and I was staying at the Historic Menger Hotel which was right next door to the center of independence, and so he and I walked over after dinner.  Rob looked at me and said “The Alamo, wow, this is where Custer had his last stand.”  Rob is so talented, so bright, but I had to gently correct his US history.

The convention once again opened my eyes, confused my mind, inspired me and worried me concerning the state of the state of funeral service.  I had an enlightening conversation with a buddy of mine concerning green burials, and he assured me that the worry I have concerning critters stealing – well just imagine, folks – was unfounded.  He said the gravediggers everywhere would always under all conditions dig a grave deep enough that critters could not smell the remains.  He was the expert, not me.

I was once again struck by all the technology, baffling stuff, and I still have not, probably never will get a handle on it all.  Possibly I am not alone?

However what struck me, and as usual I was mighty happy about this, was the smiling faces, the collegiality, the courtesy, the friendships which were evidenced by the attendees.

I have wished for many things in my career, and seeing cemeterians, monument dealers, florists, attorneys, funeral directors, embalmers, insurance companies, techy people, grave diggers, landscape artists, worker bees, corporate executives, and just about anybody connected with death care that you could think of actually talking together, seemingly having a good time, no gigantic egos, just people with a common cause smiling, laughing and learning together is for me a wish come true.

www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=195375&id=87540039256&l=29dd1bee13

I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know this:  isolation, exclusivity, egos run amuck, myopic visions, and protectionism, territories and boundaries, does not work, and will continue to fall apart as time marches on.

ICCFA’s model does not continue to kick dinosaurs. 

Anyway that is one old undertaker’s opinion.  TVB

ICCFA'S "NEXT GENERATION" TO HOLD TECH PANEL, HAPPY HOUR OUTING AT 2010 CONVENTION

The "next generation" of death care professionals will have an opportunity to meet and share ideas at two activities geared specifically toward them and their interests at the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association's 2010 Convention & Exposition, March 10-13 in San Antonio, Texas.

The ICCFA's recently formed Next Generation Steering Committee, composed of up-and-coming industry and association leaders, will host a panel discussion on technology and social media within the profession, to be followed that evening by a Happy Hour gathering at Bar Rojo in the Grand Hyatt San Antonio.

The Technology Panel discussion will offer a rare opportunity to chat with and ask questions of Convention keynote speakers Tara Hunt and Ze Frank, two of the world's top experts in online media and social networks and their practical applications for businesses.

"This session and the entire Convention Tech Track represent a key to our future," said committee member Norman Connors, a funeral director at Bean Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Shillington, Pennsylvania. "Ignoring technology is no longer an option. We are a profession focused on service, and good service increasingly means reaching out to families and our communities using "high-tech' to achieve "high-touch.'"

The ICCFA's Next Generation is dedicated to developing future leaders, providing relevant educational opportunities and giving younger industry members opportunities to network and connect with each other. All members and Convention attendees are welcome to participate in the group's activities.

Individuals who are interested in serving on the Next Generation Steering Committee are asked to contact ICCFA Director of Communications and Membership Services Linda Budzinski at 1.800.645.7700.

The ICCFA 2010 Convention & Exposition offers 84 hours of educational programming and an exhibit hall with more than 360 supplier booths. Funeral directors can earn up to 19 hours of continuing education credits. Complete details and an online registration form are available at www.iccfaconvention.com.

The amazing Funeral Futurist, Robin Heppell, was one of the friends we got to hang out with this week at the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association Convention in Atlantic City. The most technology-savvy person I know in this industry, Robin has graciously agreed to serve as Chair of our "Technology Track" at the 2010 ICCFA Convention.

Robin has put together a fantastic program which will go in-depth explaining how to implement new technologies at your business (and this is in addition to the excellent Technology Track keynote presentations by Tara Hunt and Ze Frank).

Here, Rob got out early in the morning and recorded an overview of the Technology Track while he was strolling the boardwalk. I happen to know he did not have his editing equipment with him, so this was done as straight shot with no cuts - which says a lot about this man's lucidity first thing in the am.

If he can do a video like this after rolling out of bed, imagine what he will do with months to prepare for the Technology Track in San Antonio.

As the 2010 ICCFA Program Chair, I want to tell you that our convention committee will be working hard to make the 2010 Annual Convention the best it can possibly be. Your input and suggestions are welcomed!