This year’s NFDA International Convention is set against the vibrant backdrop of New Orleans, and we couldn’t be more excited! It’s a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, partners, and funeral home professionals, while also making new connections in the industry. We’re honored to be on the Expo floor to share more about Cadence and the unique continuing care services we offer.
Last year’s convention in Las Vegas was incredible, and we can’t wait to build on that energy. With so many informative sessions led by inspiring speakers, it’s hard to choose just a few, but here are our top picks.
Amy Herman | October 21st | 9:30-11:30 am
About: In this interactive session, Amy Herman uses art to sharpen observation skills and uncover hidden biases that can cloud our interactions with families. By closely analyzing works of art, participants will improve their critical thinking, communication, and leadership abilities. This fresh approach can transform how we interact with both colleagues and the families we serve.
Why We’re Attending: Amy Herman, a keynote speaker at the convention, brings a unique perspective that resonates with us at Cadence. We know that people are often guided or deterred by various design and accessibility elements. This is why we’ve spent extended time researching ways to incorporate ease-of-use features within our platform. Cadence also offers support, not only in the onboarding and integration process, but also with marketing to ensure we do not overlook communication roadblocks.
We’re always striving to improve—whether it's in product development or our interactions with partners. For that reason, the team could not be more excited to attend Amy’s presentation in hopes of learning ways to recognize our biases and improve communication. From this, we’ll be better equipped to serve the varying needs of families and the funeral homes we partner with.
Bill A. Johnston | October 22nd | 8:00-9:00 am
About: Marketing to families in need can be challenging, but Bill A. Johnston will offer strategies for crafting targeted marketing plans that stand out. This session will dive into consumer behavior, showing how to build strong relationships and position your funeral home as the top choice when families are making decisions.
Why We’re Attending: Understanding the needs of our partners and the families they serve is at the core of our mission. When we equip funeral homes with our services, we help them stand out as a trusted and obvious choice for families through the unique continuation of care provided. With the insights from this session, we will be able to enhance our marketing and communication strategies, not only for us but also our partners.
Jonathan Heider Laedtke | October 22nd | 9:15-10:15 am
About: Funeral directors play a crucial role in ensuring that families from all backgrounds feel supported and understood. This session, led by a certified sensitivity trainer, will cover key topics like cultural diversity, gender inclusion, and disability awareness, showing how small adjustments can create meaningful, compassionate experiences for every family.
Why We’re Attending: Supporting families in a way that makes them feel seen and comfortable is essential. At Cadence, we’re committed to creating products and resources that reflect the diverse needs of individuals. This is evident in our new ability to serve Spanish speaking families in their native language, as well as efforts to increase our multilingual capabilities. Our partnered funeral homes also benefit from Cadence’s inclusivity features, allowing them to go the extra mile for the families they serve. We’re eager to learn new ways to make our products even more accessible and inclusive through this session.
Don’t miss the Conversation Cafés on Tuesday, October 22nd from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm. These impactful discussions will cover critical topics such as improving your funeral home’s customer service and the effects of vicarious trauma for funeral professionals. Understanding that the effects of secondary trauma and grief on funeral professionals can easily and unknowingly build up, we are delighted to see such an open conversation surrounding the importance of addressing mental health in the industry. Overall, Conversation Cafés are a great way to connect with peers and expand your understanding of key issues in the industry.
We’re looking forward to catching up with familiar faces and meeting new professionals, whether it’s during the sessions or at our booth. You’ll find our team members, Rachel Drew, Krystian Olszanski, Hannah Mason, and Kayleigh Feschuk representing Cadence at booth #2948 in the First Floor Exhibit Hall.
The Expo Hall will be open during these times:
We can’t wait to see you at NFDA’s International Convention & Expo 2024!
