Funeral Directors from across Michigan will convene in Mt. Pleasant at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort on May 15-17, 2023 for the Michigan Funeral Directors Association’s Soaring to New Heights Convention.
We are excited to feature keynote presenter Commander Kirk Lippold, USN (Ret.), who will speak about leadership and accountability and share why his "Five Pillars of Leadership" are must-have business tenets for any team.
Please join us for the MFDA Golf Outing on Monday, May 15, 2023 at Bucks Run Golf Course, and exhibitors are welcome to participate.
The Siniikaung Steak & Chop House at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mt. Pleasant will be taking reservations for Wednesday, May 17th from 5:00 – 11 pm. The Resort has opened the restaurant for our event, but it will also be open to the public, so make your reservation by calling (989) 775-5106.
Check out the information below for more event details. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Online registration is closed. You are welcome to register at the conference beginning Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 7:00am.
Registration
ONLINE REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.
You are welcome to register at the conference beginning Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at 7:00am.
Register for MFDA’s 145th Annual Convention to be held May 15-17, 2023, at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mt. Pleasant. Those who register prior to May 8 will receive $50 special discount.
Convention Registration includes: All educational programming, the exhibition, Service of Remembrance, Honors Reception and the MFDA Party.
| Registration Before 5-8-23 | On-Site Registration |
| Member/Spouse $150 | Member/Spouse $200 |
| MFDA Retiree $75 | MFDA Retiree $75 |
| Non-Member $300 | Non-Member $350 |
| MFDA Student Member $25 Includes MFDA Membership for one year |
MFDA Student Member $25 Includes MFDA Membership for one year |
| MFDA Past President $0 | MFDA Past President $0 |
| 777 Club Member $0 | 777 Club Member $0 |
| Golf Outing $200 |
Hotel
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort
6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd, Mt Pleasant, MI 48858
989-775-5777
To Register Online:
- Reserve your room at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort by clicking on www.soaringeaglecasino.com
- Select the gold “Book” button
- Change the “Promo Code” field to “Group Code” by selecting the drop-down arrow.
- Enter the group code MFDA051423 and complete your reservation.
To Register Via Phone:
- Call the reservation department at 877-232-4532 and use the same group code MFDA051423.
Room Block Available Until April 23, 2023.
The Siniikaung Steak & Chop House at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mt. Pleasant will be taking reservations for Wednesday, May 17th from 5:00 – 11 pm. The Resort has opened the restaurant for our event, but it will also be open to the public, so make your reservation by calling (989) 775-5106.
2023 MFDA Convention Schedule of Events
Monday, May 15, 2023
Bucks Run Golf Club in Mt. Pleasant, MI
9:00 am Registration and Team Photo's
10:00 am Shot Gun Start
Golf is $200 per person
Bucks Run Golf Club, Michigan’s premier golfing destination, sits on 290 acres of luscious bent-grass in scenic Mt. Pleasant, MI. The award-winning golf course features 18 holes spread across natural wetlands, wooded areas, river frontage, and picturesque lakes. The course is abundant with beautifully sculpted tee boxes and fairways, while the sand bunkers and rough prove to be both challenging and fair. There are also golf sponsorships available.
| MONDAY, MAY 15, 2023 | |
|
9:00 a.m. Registration & Team Photo's 10:00 a.m. Shot Gun Start |
Golf Outing at Buck’s Run Golf Club |
| 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. |
Exhibitor MOVE-IN--Entertainment Hall |
| TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2023 | |
| 7:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Exhibitor Move-In--Entertainment Hall |
| 7:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. | REGISTRATION |
|
8:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
|
OSHA & Medical Waste Training Presented by: Mark Harrison, Certified Safety Training In this session, Mark will show us how to both bridge generational gaps (Traditionalist and Baby Boomers all the way to Generation Z) and maintain a healthy business in full compliance with OSHA. We look at the top OSHA fines and distill complex technical regulations into plain English. Sponsored by Austin’s Funeral Coach Service* and Public Funeral Car Service ** * |
| 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Annual Meeting |
| 12:15 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. Workshop/Luncheon | |
|
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Presented by: Douglas R. Gober "The Past is Not Prologue to the Future--Why Our Crystal Ball Has Been Broken for the Last Ten years" Doug Gober began his funeral service career forty-four years ago as a sales representative in the casket industry. He has earned numerous national awards from various organizations within the death care industry. Doug also served as a consultant on various marketing and merchandising projects conducted on an international scale. |
| 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Service of Remembrance |
|
3:15 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
|
Exhibit Hall - Grand Opening Tote bags sponsored by Hilton Funeral Supply** * Water bottles sponsored by Private Label/Drink the Message |
|
6:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.
|
WSU Reception Alumni, students and friends, please join our annual reception. Visit with faculty and alumni. Bar and refreshments are sponsored by Wilbert Vault Detroit. There is no charge for attendees, but please reserve your place with Anita Knight at 313-577-2050 or fundappsciences@wayne.edu. |
| WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2023 | |
| 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | REGISTRATION |
| 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Workshop | |
|
Presented by: Lacy Robinson "Embracing the DIY Consumer" Lacy offers funeral home clients more than 15 years of success in developing and Facilitating customer service training program. Lacy is a licensed funeral director/embalmer, and a certified funeral celebrant. She is a graduate of Georgetown College holding a bachelor’s degree in Communications. She is also a graduate of Mid-American College of Funeral Service. Sponsored by Perry Mount Park Cemetery* |
|
| 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | MMSF Meeting |
|
10:15 a.m. - 2:15 p.m.
|
EXHIBIT HALL OPEN Lunch sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Tote bags sponsored by Hilton Funeral Supply** * Water bottles sponsored by Private Label/Drink the Message |
| 12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Past Presidents Luncheon (Invitation Only) |
| 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Keynote Speaker Presentation | |
|
Presented by: Commander Kirk Lippold, USN (Ret.) "Leadership & Accountability When it Matter" Commander Kirk Lippold, USN (Ret.) was the Commanding Officer of the USS Cole when it came under a suicide terrorist attack by al Qaeda in the port of Aden, Yemen on October 12, 2000 . During his command, he and his crew distinguished themselves by saving the American war ship from sinking. This event is widely recognized as one of the most brazen acts of terrorism by al Qaeda prior to September 11, 2001. Sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan |
|
| 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. Workshop | |
|
Presented by: Jeff Duncan, PhD "Upcoming Changes in Death Registration in 2023" Jeff Duncan is the State Registrar and Director of the Michigan Division of Vital Records and Health Statistics. He has a PhD in Biomedical Informatics and over 25 years of experience in public health statistics and informatics, having served in leadership positions in the Utah Department of Health and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Sponsored by Ross A. Corio, Funeral Service Professional, Inc.** |
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5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
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Honors Reception Sponsored by Federated Insurance** |
|
8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
|
MFDA Party Sponsored by Brutsche Concrete Products* ** and Santeiu Vaults* |
Exhibit/Sponsor Registration
Exhibitor Registration is closed.
Booth size is 8 x 10 (we have increased the Booth size to 9 x 12) and is $800.
MFDA will raffle off one (1) free booth space for the 2024 convention to be held in Port Huron. Only Michigan Funeral Supply Sales Association (MFSSA) members exhibiting are eligible to participate in the raffle.
EXHIBIT HOURS
| MOVE IN | |
|
Monday, May 15, 2023 Tuesday, May 16, 2023 |
6:00 – 9:00 pm 7:00 am – 2:30 pm |
| SHOW HOURS | |
| Tuesday, May 16, 2023 | 3:15 pm - 6:30 pm |
| Wednesday, May 17, 2023 | 10:15 am - 2:15 pm |
REMINDERS
| DEADLINES |
March 1, 2023 - Exhibit and Sponsorship Contracts due April 23 2023 - Hotel room block special rate ends Booth Size: 8x10 (increased to 9 x 12) |
| BOOTH LEASE* INCLUDES |
*For each additional booth purchased you will receive 1 additional convention registration badge. |
| BOOTH STAFF | Exhibit & Vehicle Rates include the following number of Badges:
|
2023 Service of Remembrance
Click Service of Remembrance for a current listing of the Service of Remembrance.
2023 Honoree Achievements in Funeral Service
To ensure that everyone deserving of recognition at the 2023 scheduled Honor's Reception is included, please take a few minutes to review the list below and, if you or someone you know is not listed, but should be, please contact Sandy West at the MFDA Office at swest@mfda.org or at 1-888-955-6332 as soon as possible.
| 25 YEAR LICENSEES (Received License in 1998) |
50 YEAR LICENSEES (Received License in 1973) |
| John R. Barnhart | Stanley A. Arsulowicz Jr. |
| Jason J. Gilles | James J. Cole |
| Jeremy S. Hansen | David A. Earl |
| Alan T. Hardy | Thomas P. Lynch |
| Amy L. Jones | Dickson R. Manns |
| R. Lee Karelse | LeRoy J. Throop |
| Eleana Voran Keding | Leonard A. Turowski Jr. |
| Patricia A. Little | Eugene F. Wagner, CFSP, CPC, CCO, CMFP |
| Matthew R. Nash | John Wilk |
| Andrea Phillips | Michael Zajac |
| Scott O. Reno | |
| Scott J. Sytsema | |
| Michael Verdun | |
| Eryc S. Wollitz | |
| Michael Zuzga | |
| 40 YEAR LICENSEES (Received License in 1983) |
|
| Deborah E. Conboy | Paul D. Metevia |
| Mary A. Ewald Sayles, BA, BSN, MBA | John C. Michalak, CFSP |
| Dale E. Hanlin | Chris S. Pobocik, CFSP |
| William P. Harris | Stanley Sajewski III |
| Joseph D. Holcomb, III | George A. Salem |
| Karl E. Jennings | Bradley W. Stark |
| Allen R. Jensen, CFSP | Paul Z. Uzarski |
| John Kernan | David M. Walsh |
| Larry B. Leveille | Scott R. Ware |
| Scott D. Lutey | Peter C. Wilhelm |
| Randy J. Marsh | John Yuhasz |
| 60 YEAR LICENSEES (Received License in 1963) |
80th Anniversary of Licensure |
| Harry J. Farley | Raymond A. Winkel |
| David L. Germain | 2022 Newly Certified Funeral Service Practitioners (CFSP) |
| Michael E. Hurst | Elizabeth Kedzior, CFSP |
| Donald Lada, CFSP | Donald Lada, CFSP |
| Douglas R. Nie | Kathlene M. Rodgers, CFSP, CMFP |
| William J. Sullivan | |
| Gerald A. Vigansky | |
| David J. Wysocki | |
| Richard J. Young | |
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Platinum |
|
| BCBSM | NGL |
| Brutsche Concrete Products* ** | Preferred Removal Services, Inc.* |
| Federated Insurance** | Santeiu Vaults* |
Gold |
|
| American Coach Sales* | PRECOA |
| Express Funeral Funding | Prudent Investor Advisors |
| National Funeral Directors Association | |
| Silver | |
| Austin's Funeral Coach Services* | Public Funeral Car Service* ** |
| Hilton Funeral Supply* ** | Ross A. Corio, Funeral Service Professional, Inc.** |
| Perry Mount Park Cemetery* | Sunburst Memorials-Monumental Sales Inc. |
| Bronze | |
| Exclusive Transportation* | Patten Monument Company* |
| Messer Limousine Service* ** | Tukios* |
*Indicates MFSSA Member
**Indicates MFDA Supplier Member
