June 11–13
Miles City Event Center
- Award Ceremony
- Service of Remembrance
- CE Classes
- Vendors on Exhibit
- Golf Tournament
Registration Open
Go to https://montanafda.org/2023-convention or email Terri at info@montanafda.org to register.
Convention Schedule
SUNDAY, JUNE 11
MFDA Board Meeting
Miles City Hotel and Suites
MFDA Annual Golf Tournament
Prairie Dog Shoot — no experience necessary
Vendor set up
Registration
Welcome Reception
MONDAY, JUNE 12
Registration
TUESDAY, JUNE 13
Convention Speakers
“Value in Results: Real Solutions for Modern Embalming Challenges”
By Dominick J. Astorino
Dominick is an adjunct professor of mortuary science both at Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Chicago, and Wayne State University, Detroit, where he teaches courses in embalming, restorative art, pathology, and microbiology. A proponent of education, Dominick holds degrees in cellular biology and mortuary science and sits on the restorative art curriculum review committee for the American Board of Funeral Service Education. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the states of Michigan and Illinois and is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, Michigan Funeral Directors Association, Illinois Funeral Directors Association, and the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. In his lecture, he will be tackling some of the most pertinent and common challenges the embalmer faces and will offer proven solutions, demonstrating the value of the embalmer to funeral service and society. He will also touch on motor vehicle accidents, opioid overdoses and alcohol abuse, gunshots of the head, and facial lacerations.
“NFDA Update”
By Dutch Nie, NFDA President-Elect
Dutch is a second-generation funeral director who grew up above his parent’s funeral home in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He attended Wayne State University where he received his bachelors degree in Mortuary Science in 1992. He continued to work with his parents until their retirement in 2000, at which time his wife, Donna, and he bought the funeral home from them. In 2008, they built an additional location on the west side of Ann Arbor, and between the two locations, they serve all the families of Washtenaw County. On the National level, Dutch has served on the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) Board of Directors as an At-Large Member as well as many committees and task forces, including currently as a member of the Spokesperson Committee, Audit Committee, Pursuit of Excellence Committee.
“Welcoming Words”
By Debbie Sorenson
Debbie, a Montana native and founder of Welcoming Words, grew up on a small ranch in the north-central part of the state. Through the decades, she has had many opportunities to participate in the celebrations of life for family, friends and acquaintances. Those years and connections have provided a wealth of information on the power of Welcoming Words that show you care. She offers simple, caring and powerful suggestions that can enhance your good business practices. Genuine encouragement goes a long in promoting client appreciation that results in business referrals.
“The Who, What, Where, How, and Why of Cornea Donation”
By Mike Meyer
Mike Meyer is the Regional Development Manager for SightLife. SightLife is the local Lions Eye Bank that helps over 100 men, women and children every day gain restored eyesight through corneal transplants. Mike is a Certified Eye Bank Technician through the Eye Bank Association of America and has been with SightLife for 26 years. During this time, he has been involved in every aspect of the eye bank recovery process. His current focus is to improve the donation process for those involved with deaths that occur outside of a hospital setting. This includes working with coroners, Medical Examiners and funeral homes. These programs provide tissue and cornea donations to individuals that normally would not have options.
