Something I enjoyed at the NFDA convention was getting to see many of the other funeral bloggers and writers in person. As far as I can tell there are a small number of us out the in cyberland that enjoy writing and sharing our thoughts about funeral service with others. And we have developed relationships online but rarely do we get to meet face to face and talk.
At this meeting I got to see Ryan Thogmartin from Connecting Directors and CDSocial who is recovering from a car accident. Alan Creedy, whose Creedy Commentary gives me great insight on every entry. Tom Parmalee, the editor of “The Funeral Insider” and The American Funeral Director”. Ed Defort, the editor of “The Memorial Business Journal” and “The Director”. Tim Totten, master designer of quilted cot covers, whose blog “Final Embrace” inspired me to start this blog. Scott McAuley, whose new product, Thanoseal, won the best new product award this year. Scott is regular commenter on Connecting Directors under the pen name sixaros (maybe I shouldn’t have revealed that secret). Benjie Hughes, funeral director and a regular commenter on Alan’s blog. Paul Seyler, whose quiet behind the scenes work at countless casket and funeral companies over the years has affected the whole industry. And I was disappointed that Ray Visotski, author of “A Simple Village Undertaker” blog wasn’t there. I’m sure Ray and are I are really twin sons from different mothers by the way our lives and writing are so similar, though we have yet to meet in person.
I look forward to reading everything these folks write. Their insight and conversation let me know that I’m not alone out here struggling to keep my family business alive and funeral service moving into future.
What’s too bad about seeing these folks is that we really didn’t get to sit and talk. On the convention floor we said hi, shook hands, exchanged pleasantries and moved on. It would be fun if next time we can all get together for lunch, or cocktails for an hour or two and just talk. Do some “point – counter point” on things we have written and solve all the problems of the funeral industry at one time. Maybe we could do a panel discussion in front of a crowd?
Anyway, it was good to see all of you. I look forward to continuing our conversations both online and in person.
I’m Dale Clock. Thanks for listening
Dale-Time 
Thanks for sharing your point of view with us. I enjoy listening and talking with other funeral directors to discuss things. With educational seminars and conventions, it is after hours that I seem to enjoy and learn the most.
Dale:
It was great getting a chance to connect with you at NFDA – if only for a brief few moments. Keep up the good work with the blog.
Tom Parmalee
We need to convince NFDA to schedule a “Bloggers Discuss Funeral Service” forum where we can chat about the industry. I think it would be at least somewhat popular. We would bring a “built-in” audience and I’d really enjoy it.
Whatcha think?
Oh, and yes, we need to plan lunch or dinner in Chicago next year.
TIM
Tim,
I’ll make sure we plan some type of get-together in Chicago. Didn’t you have something at one of the past meetings?
I guess we would have to submit a proposal to NFDA for a seminar. I suppose we can give advice about how to start blogging too.
I did two different events. One was at the Las Vegas show in 2007 and was requested through the NFDA but not one of their official events.
The other was an invitation dinner to other vendors at the 2008 Orlando expo.
Both were successful and helped me connect with other vendors.
To get something going that would help funeral directors, I think you need to float this with NFDA as a forum or roundtable discussion. They have plenty of time in their schedule to do one of these.
I think it would be successful.
Oh, and we still need to plan a smaller get-together of our “group” to shoot the breeze and talk candidly and off-the-record about stuff. The event I did in Orlando allowed people to meet over dinner and drinks and really get to know each other. And it helped some people build stronger ties with others in the industry.