2024 convention season has arrived, and we are excited for what’s in store this year! From thoughts on why conventions are important to what we’re looking forward to and which conventions we will attend, some of Homesteaders’ senior account executives share their thoughts below.
Why Is Attending Conventions Important?
Attending conventions can be very beneficial, from discovering the latest trends in the industry to connecting with others in the funeral profession. Read what our senior account executives think is important about conventions.
“Attending conventions is very important: for educational purposes, keeping up to date on new opportunities, comradery and keeping yourself ‘in the know.’” – Nicole Nuzum, Homesteaders Senior Account Executive
“I’ve been blessed to work in a profession that I love for more than thirty years. While most days are rewarding, the hard days still come. Conventions are a great place to connect with a wonderful support system of people who experience the same highs and lows. I leave conventions feeling encouraged, revitalized and ready to serve our families with new knowledge I’ve gathered.” – Brandon Full, Homesteaders Senior Account Executive
What We’re Looking Forward To
We asked some of our account executives attending conventions this year what they’re looking forward to at 2024 conventions. Read what they say and look for them at conventions throughout the year! Click the links below to skip to a specific section.
Discovering Changes in the Funeral Profession
Encouraging the Next Generation of Funeral Professionals
Connecting With People
Connecting with others is a highlight at conventions every year! Read below to learn why our team loves visiting with you at conventions.
“Making connections with people within other companies can sometimes create a team you may never have thought would develop. Maybe our product partnered with their product becomes the combination funeral homes want and need.” – Nicole Nuzum, Homesteaders Senior Account Executive
“By far, my favorite part of convention season is reuniting with people – both vendors and attendees. For me, spending time with old friends and making new ones is what I enjoy most each year.” – Brandon Full, Homesteaders Senior Account Executive
“I love being able to see my funeral home customers, colleagues and preneed agents we work with. As a home office account executive, I don’t get the chance to see my funeral home customers in person often, so I appreciate any opportunity that comes up.” – Nicole Nuzum, Homesteaders Senior Account Executive
“I am looking forward to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) being in New Orleans this year. It’s my favorite city and has so much personality and charm. There is so much to see and eat! I’m really looking forward to sharing my knowledge of New Orleans with customers and prospects so they can have the best experience in my favorite place!” – Jamie Dravecky, Homesteaders Senior Account Executive
“One-on-one time with our funeral home customers helps strengthen our working relationships, as well as our friendships.” – Nicole Nuzum, Homesteaders Senior Account Executive
“The best thing about conventions is being able to visit with multiple owners and agents at one time on the exhibit floor. I also enjoy attending the banquets and being there to support people’s achievements, such as new officers going through the chairs or funeral directors receiving milestone years of service plaques.” – Jessica Schulz, Homesteaders Senior Account Executive
Discovering Changes in the Funeral Profession
Attending conventions is a great way to learn about trends and changes in our industry. Brandon Full, Homesteaders Senior Account Executive, is looking forward to discovering what’s new this year:
“I’m most excited to see the latest advances in technology. As someone who was raised traditionally in the profession, it’s not always easy to accept change. However, our consumers have certainly evolved over the years, and I’m happy to see how we are stepping up to meet the consumers’ changing needs.”
First Visits to Conventions
Some Homesteaders account executives will attend certain conventions for the first time this year. Be sure to say “hi” when you see them at these conventions!
“I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to attend some of the best conventions. This year, I’m excited to attend the International Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association (ICCFA) Convention for the first time in Tampa, Florida. I’m equally excited to attend the NFDA International Convention and Expo in New Orleans, Louisiana.” – Brandon Full, Homesteaders Senior Account Executive
“I’m most excited about NFDA since it’s always a big event. It’s in New Orleans this year, where I currently work with some local funeral homes, so it will be an awesome experience. This will be my first NFDA convention.” – Nicole Nuzum, Homesteaders Senior Account Executive
Encouraging the Next Generation of Funeral Professionals
Nicole Nuzum, Homesteaders Senior Account Executive, shares about her time at the Iowa Funeral Directors Association Annual Convention last year when she took her son along to experience a convention and learn more about the funeral profession. Spoiler alert: her son is returning to the convention with her this year!
“Last year, my son Jaxson, who was in eighth grade at the time, accompanied me to the Iowa Funeral Directors Association Annual Convention at Prairie Meadows in Iowa. He asked if he could tag along since he is interested in the funeral profession. He even asked me yesterday what education is needed to become a funeral director!
Having him at that convention was rewarding for a few reasons. He was able to meet a handful of the funeral directors that I have been blessed to work with over the past five years. He got to ask a few questions and learn more about the profession. He walked around the expo floor and connected with some vendors as well.
He also learned more about my career here at Homesteaders and was able to see how rewarding it is and how much I love what I do.
The whole experience opened Jaxson’s eyes to a career that he is still very much interested in, which makes me so happy. We need funeral directors! I am planning on taking him again this year to the Iowa Funeral Directors Association Annual Convention, and he is very excited.”
Homesteaders’ Booth
Homesteaders will have an exhibitor booth at many 2024 conventions, and we encourage you to stop by! Here’s what Jessica Schulz, Homesteaders Senior Account Executive, is excited for this year:
“I am looking forward to the giveaways at convention this year, especially the candy at our booth! This will hopefully get even more people excited to visit us.”
Find us at conventions and discover what’s new at our booth!
Where Can You Find Us?
We’re excited to see you at upcoming conventions in 2024! Learn more about each convention and find out which events we will attend here. Which conventions are you attending? What are you looking forward to this year?
