Dear Members, Guests, Exhibitors & Friends:

It is with great pleasure that we invite you to our 79th Annual National Convention & Exposition in Richmond, Virginia. The theme for our 2016 Convention is "Commitment: From Promise to Reality." As in years past, we will be celebrating with an exhibition that highlights a rich variety of funeral merchandise and supplies from across the country and continuing education classes that will enhance your professional growth. Our goal is to Decide, Commit & Succeed together in historic Richmond, Virginia! We are gathering in Historic Richmond, Virginia to DECIDE, COMMIT and SUCCEED as an association and within our profession. 

Richmond, the capital of Virginia, is among America’s oldest cities. Patrick Henry, a U.S. Founding Father, famously declared “Give me liberty or give me death” at its St. John's Church, leading to the Revolutionary War. The White House of the Confederacy, the Confederate States Army headquarters during the Civil War, is now a museum in Court End, a neighborhood known for Federal-style mansions. Virginia is home to the longest continuous experience of  African-American culture and life in the United States. African-American history in Virginia dates back to August 1619, when the first Africans were involuntarily brought to the shores of Historic Jamestowne. The proud, rich heritage and struggle of the black experience in Virginia is something that visitors to Virginia can relive through sites, artifacts, events and   museums across the state.

This year is filled with exciting events and gatherings. On Sunday we will have our Annual Family Worship Service and Stop The Violence Rally & Motorcade. Our National Inter-Faith Service of Remembrance (Annual Memorial Service) is going to be something you will not want to miss. Join us at 8:00PM on Sunday evening as we remember our members, colleagues and friends. On Monday morning, August 1, 2016, our official convention Opening Ceremony will take place at 9:00AM, this has become one of the greatest highlights of our convention, our guest speaker will be the Honorable Douglas Wilder. Lawrence Douglas Wilder is an American politician, who served as the first African American to be elected as governor of Virginia and first African-American governor of any state since Reconstruction. The Robert H. Miller Professional of the Year awards banquet will be on Tuesday, August 2, 2016, honoring Talitha A. Thomas, CFSP of South Carolina. Just prior to dinner, we will honor those with the CFSP Designation with a recognition reception. 

Our Education Commission has planned an awesome enrichment week of powerful and thought provoking presentations. You will be able to learn techniques ranging from "The 4 P's To Avoid Cremation Litigation" to "FTC: There Are More Things You Should Know" to "Mass Fatality." Our NFDMA, Inc. 40 & Under Funeral Directors cordially invites all students, all apprentices and licensees (aged 40 & under) to participate in Mortuary Education Day on Wednesday, August 3, 2016. NFDMA, Inc. has one of the best exposition halls anywhere. Visit our exhibitors and experience a variety of new and pioneering trends in funeral service. We hope that you will take advantage of all activities that are presented at the 79th Annual National  Convention & Exposition. We hope that your stay will enrich you intellectually, physically, mentally, spiritually, and professionally.