Damon Wenig

Director, Partner Marketing     

Homesteaders Life Company

Transform every interaction with your funeral home into an unforgettable moment of care and excellence. This session equips funeral home professionals with strategies to map the customer journey, from the first call to aftercare, ensuring every touchpoint is intentional and impactful. Drawing insights from service leaders like The Ritz-Carlton and Mayo Clinic, attendees will learn to design meaningful experiences that exceed expectations. Discover how to identify key moments that matter most, fostering trust, support, and lasting impressions. Elevate your service with actionable practices to create a legacy of care that resonates with families for years to come.

1 CE Credit in Pennsylvania

Mitch Smith

AVP-Partnership Development

eFuneral Partner

This session will explore the future of preneed funeral planning through the lens of shifting consumer expectations and digital transformation. We’ll analyze how Millennials and Gen Z approach end-of-life planning, emphasizing their demand for transparency, security and personalized experiences. Additionally, we’ll uncover the role of AI, cybersecurity and digital engagement tools in building consumer trust and reshaping the profession. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to embrace innovation, adapt to evolving trends and create future-ready services that resonate with today’s and tomorrow’s consumers.

1 CE Credit in Pennsylvania

Tyler Anderson

VP Business Development

Precoa

88% of executives say consumers are changing faster than their businesses can keep up, making it more important than ever for funeral homes to stay relevant. In this session, you’ll discover why reimagining the preneed journey will help you address two of the biggest challenges facing the profession today. You’ll learn how to turn casual interest into lasting commitment through a blend of omnichannel touchpoints and consistently great preneed experiences. By building lasting value and introducing more new families to your brand, you’ll create a sustainable competitive edge that keeps your funeral home thriving into the future.

1 CE Credit in Pennsylvania

Stephanie Castagnier Dunn

Chief SBA Revenue Officer

Phoenix SBA a Community Bankshare Company

This session will delve into the critical factors shaping the future of American small businesses as an unprecedented wave of ownership transitions approaches. Stephanie will discuss three key areas: the current state of the American small business economy, providing valuable context on the challenges and opportunities for small business owners. Attendees will also gain an in-depth understanding of the 100% business loan landscape, including strategies for debt refinancing, real estate purchases, partner buy-outs, and securing working capital. Finally, the session emphasizes the importance of crafting deals that create a WIN-WIN outcome for all parties, ensuring smooth transitions that benefit both buyers and sellers while preserving the legacy of the business. This is an essential discussion for business owners, investors, and stakeholders preparing for the opportunities ahead.

Michael Burns

Dean of Faculty and Students at PIMS

Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science

This session will share some nationwide stats on the make-up of the nation's mortuary schools. Michael will discuss the Generation Z student and what they want to do with their lives. He will share many examples of conversations he has had with Funeral Home owner's and what they expect and what they will get. He will also discuss a reality check on the Gen Z hair color, tattoos, and work expectations.