General Sessions:
Motivation and Innovation
All general sessions are offered both in person and on the virtual Zoom livestream.
Jump to a Specific Session:
Opening Session
This traditional kick off to the Annual Meeting includes the following.
Remembering Our Colleagues
Each year, Selected reflects and pays tribute to the members and others we’ve lost since the previous Annual Meeting.
Outgoing Officers’ Addresses
Outgoing Board Chair Al Asta and President W. Byron Calhoun will offer a review of the year as officers of Selected Independent Funeral Homes, recapping highlights and sharing insights on the important issues facing funeral service.
Keynote Address:
“Leading on Your Feet”
We live in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous—VUCA—world. Strategies change frequently, businesses rise and fall overnight, and the only constant is change. Today's leaders must unlock the talent of those around them, be adept at thinking on their feet and show confidence leading through change, regardless of circumstances. In this engaging and interactive session, Andrew Tarvin will share the vital leadership values needed to lead in today's VUCA world. Fusing the latest in leadership theory with advanced techniques from improvisation, funeral professionals will learn what it means to lead on your feet and develop the skills to do it.
Meet Andrew Tarvin
Andrew Tarvin is the CEO of Humor That Works, a leadership development company that teaches professionals how to use humor to achieve better business results. He has partnered with top organizations including IBM, the UN and the FBI to solve human challenges with humor solutions. A best-selling author, Andrew has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and FastCompany, and was named a ‘Visionary Under 40’ by the P&G Alumni Network. His TEDx talk on the skill of humor has been viewed more than 13 million times. drewtarvin.com
General Session
“On Track and Out of Court: Understanding HR and the Law”
HR is all about the application of and compliance with employment laws. And it only takes one mistake to end up in court and cause significant damage to your funeral home and your reputation. ADA, FLSA, FMLA - the Department of Labor regulates well over 100 employment laws. Not all of them relate to your business, but there are some key laws that every funeral home owner/manager must know. In this relevant and interactive session, Star Bobatoon will highlight those core employment laws in plain-English with real life examples, so you can confidently keep your business on track and out of court.
Meet Star Bobatoon
An accomplished attorney, author, dynamic trainer and award-winning speaker, Star Bobatoon's background as an employment attorney gives her valuable insight into HR and corporate management issues. With more than a decade of performance on stage, television and the big screen, she delivers that insight in a high-energy and engaging style that makes a lasting impact on her audiences and clients. Star loves helping people enhance their communication and presentation skills to advance their careers, their businesses and their lives.
starbobatoon.com
Futures Session
“Funeral Service in the Future”
Funeral service continues to experience exponential change. From ChatGPT, AI and automation to help get time back to trends in consumer attitudes and behaviors, evolving business models and ways to address the staffing challenge, this enlightening session is certain to get you thinking. Five experts including Chris Cruger, The Foresight Companies; Zack Garbow, Funeral Innovations; Marty Strohofer, Matthews Aurora Funeral Solutions, Courtney Gould Miller, MKJ Marketing and Paul St. Pierre, St. Pierre Family Funeral and Cremation Services, will offer their perspectives and predictions on what the future may hold for funeral service. Buckle up and hold on tight as we explore what you and your firm may be facing and embracing in the next decade as you continue to meet the evolving needs of your client families.
Membership Business Session
This session features updates about the Selected Educational Trust and other timely information. It also highlights the service of the Selected Board of Directors, including the following:
- Outgoing Officers’ Recognition
- Installation of Incoming Board Members and Officers
- Incoming Officers' Addresses:
2023-2024 Board Chair John Kepner and President Eric Trimble will provide their views of funeral service and outlook for the Association for the coming year.
