2022 NFDA International Convention & Expo

As the world continues to answer the question, “What’s next?” after the COVID-19 pandemic, funeral service professionals gathered October 9-12 in Baltimore, Maryland, for the 2022 National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) International Convention & Expo to find the answers.

The total attendance for the 2022 NFDA Convention was 5,076 (3,042 attendees and 2,034 exhibitor representatives). A total of 198 international attendees, representing 31 countries and territories. The Expo Hall featured 344 exhibiting companies. The NFDA convention proved to be an impactful experience for all who were able to attend. There was lots of hustle and bustle as folks got back to in person conversations, sales and educational workshops. It was great to see and even better to experience.

There were incredible keynote speakers including Kindra Hall, who shared strategies for using storytelling to connect with consumers and build a funeral home’s brand in the community. Sergeant Dakota Meyer, a Marine Corps veteran and Medal of Honor recipient, shared stories from his military career to illustrate what it takes to survive, thrive, and tackle your biggest obstacles. John O’Leary, brought the convention to a motivating close. Burned on 100% of his body as a child and given less than a 1% chance of survival, no one would have blamed him for giving up. Thanks to a few influential people he met after his accident, O’Leary learned to cultivate a positive attitude and a sense of gratitude and love that has helped him live an incredible life despite the challenges he continues to face.

A highlight for me, the 2022 Professional Women’s Conference attendees and those interested (130 in total) in learning more about the conference came together for the first-ever PWC ReConnect, for the chance to visit with friends and meet new ones. It was interesting how often each woman said how different the vibe was at the Womens only ’table’. Women became less competitive and more compassionate with each other, sharing valuable information and camaraderie.

There was a powerful Service of Remembrance, with a serious military influence, and with the help of the Dignified Transfer and Military Honors Teams, NFDA explored the customs associated with honoring the lives of our fallen heroes. Attendees learned these and other traditions, and their importance to families of the fallen, from Col. Chip Hollinger, commander, Air Force Mortuary Operations. As attendees witnessed simulated dignified transfer and military honors ceremonies, NFDA also paid tribute to members of the NFDA family who died this past year during the Service of Remembrance. area

Located approximately 100 miles east of Baltimore is Dover Air Force Base, which is home to the Department of Defense’s largest aerial port and approximately 11,000 Airmen and joint service members, civilians and families. It is also home to Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations, which is charged with fulfilling the nation’s sacred commitment of ensuring dignity, honor and respect to the fallen, and care, service and support to their families.

Interestingly for us Irish at least, there is British history in Baltimore. After crushing the Americans at Bladensburg and invading the nation’s capital, the British targeted Baltimore. If they could capture the city (the third largest in the United States) and a commercial and shipbuilding hub---they could likely bring the war to an end. Military and civilians, including free and enslaved African Americans, rallied to fend off the British.

Baltimore (Fort McHenry) withstood a 25-hour British bombardment successfully at ‘dawns early light’ on September 1814, thanks to thousands of determined volunteer citizen-soldiers. “Lady Baltimore,” a classical female figure, tops the battle monument erected to honor this win. The Garrison flag waving over the victorious fort inspired Francis Scott Key to pen lyrics that became the U.S. national anthem.

It was pretty cool and skin shivering to experience hundreds of Americans singing their national anthem in Baltimore having learnt that information, knowing that we had all just come through another battle (COVID) both as a community and a human being worldwide.

All of the photos can be viewed at www.nfda.org/ BaltimorePics.

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