If you are interested in the “Technology Track” at the ICCFA 2010 Convention, please watch this video and add your name to the “Early Notification List” below.

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VICTORIA, BC – Robin Heppell, CFSP, president of FuneralFuturist.com, will make two key presentations at the two-day 2009 Fall Forum offered by the International Order of the Golden Rule (OGR), the world’s leading professional association dedicated to making independent funeral homes exceptional.

Heppell’s first presentation, Innovative Technology for Your Business, will present top technology and Internet resources that will help attendees promote their funeral homes. They will learn how their website can become more Google-friendly, and how to use other Internet resources such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter to market their firm. He will share case studies, examples and the step-by-step process enabling attendees to implement these technologies quickly.

Heppell’s second session, Technology Applications for Funeral Home Operations, will address the lack of guidance on how to use technology in funeral home operations. Attendees will learn how to use commercial applications such as Excel, PowerPoint and Photoshop more efficiently, and discover the free resource of Google Applications. Heppell will show how these and other applications can give independent funeral homes a competitive advantage.

The OGR Fall Forum is designed to help independent funeral service professionals learn the latest technologies and proven strategies for delivering unmatched client family satisfaction they can apply immediately to boost their market share and improve their bottom line.

The OGR Fall Forum is set for the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Nov. 8-10 along the festive River Walk in San Antonio, Tex. Register online at www.ogr.org.

MEDIA RELEASE: NJSFDA Convention and Expo. Robin Heppell addresses Funeral Directors on Reaching Your Community Via

Offering the same quality programming and networking you have come to expect from the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association (NJSFDA), Robin Heppell has been requested to speak at the NJSFDA Convention and Expo held in Atlantic City, NJ. Heppell addresses funeral directors on the crucial focus of using the power of the Internet to reach their community.

Victoria, BC — Funeral Futurist, Robin Heppell has been secured by the NJSFDA to speak as one of the internationally recognized funeral experts offering funeral directors proven techniques and innovative strategies during the NJSFDA Convention and Expo.

The objective of Heppell’s presentation, “Reaching Your Community Via The Internet” is to empower Funeral Directors to take their past and current relationship building mindset and incorporate powerful online social media strategies to build their “virtual” community.

Robin Heppell, funeral speaker and funeral web strategist, added,“Internet usage is increasing faster than the cremation rate. If your funeral home has not yet established a web presence or begun marketing through electronic communications, you’re falling behind the curve. It is time to catch up now.”

With the difficulty of finding practical and relevant technologies for electronic communications for funeral homes, this presentation provides insight into the use of online articles with blogs, online radio shows with podcasts, online videos and social networks. The ultimate goal of focusing on these topics is to assist funeral directors in building relationships in the online community and dominating search engine rankings. A familiarity with valuable online services such as WordPress, YouTube, Facebook and LinkedIn will also be shared.

Over 150 delegates attended the Funeral Futurist’s presentation on the topic of Marketing to Your Community through the Internet at ICCFA, 2007. Mr. Daniel Osorio from ICCFA Administration commented, “Excellent info on how we can effectively use the Internet to market our business.”

(NOTE: For excerpts from previous events visit http://www.funeralfuturist.com/keynotes-workshops/speaker-video-clips)

“I have heard a lot of great things about the NJSFDA and its Convention and I am honored to be a part of its line up of presenters. It will also be great to meet face to face with the New Jersey funeral professionals who I have become “virtually” acquainted with through Facebook and my Funeral Futurist Newsletter!” remarked Heppell. “Plus I will recording more interviews for the FuneralGurus.com website so make sure you jot down what specific service or offering that your firms provides that makes you different and unique.”

About Robin Heppell
Robin Heppell, CFSP, combines his expertise in technology and pre-need, his formal business knowledge and his deep-rooted legacy in the funeral profession so that he can help funeral homes and cemeteries be more competitive, more profitable, and provide the best possible service for the families they serve. Through his consulting firm, FuneralFuturist.com in Victoria, British Columbia, he assists funeral directors and cemeterians throughout North America embrace and incorporate innovative strategies and technologies. His own websites include FuneralGurus.com and FuneralFuturist.com.

About NJSFDA
The New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association (NJSFDA) is nationally recognized. Founded in 1902, the NJSFDA is a not-for-profit trade organization that is committed to ensuring that communities receive professional and ethical funeral care. The organization provides resources to funeral directors, funeral homes, funeral consumers and the funeral profession as a whole.

The Convention will be held starting on Tuesday September 29, 2009 until Thursday October 1, 2009 located at the New Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, NJ. Registration will begin this summer and is open to all licensed funeral directors. All other registrations are subject to management discretion. For convention questions please contact Emily A. Moscetti, convention manager, via email to convention@njsfda.org or by calling 732.974.9444 or visit NJSFDA.com.

For media inquiries, please visit www.FuneralFuturist.com/media-room

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MEDIA RELEASE: 127th FDA of Kentucky Annual Convention – Robin Heppell presents: Technology is a Funeral Director’s Friend

Victoria, BC — Funeral Futurist, Robin Heppell has been secured to speak at the 2009 FDA Kentucky Annual Convention in Louisville, KY. The Funeral Futurist will give Funeral Directors insight on how certain technologies increase efficiency allowing cost effective funeral operations.

Robin Heppell and the Funeral Directors Association of Kentucky have a similar purpose in terms of instructing funeral professionals. With a membership of 500 firms and associates, the Funeral Directors Association of Kentucky assists funeral industry professionals to stay current with an increasingly complex profession for the purpose of serving families better. Heppell’s area of expertise provides Funeral Directors with knowledge and skills related to technology in order to improve the way they serve families.

Robin Heppell, funeral consultant and funeral web strategist, added, “I won’t be promoting one product, service or software over another, just trying to teach you how to use technology to your benefit.”

The objective of Heppell’s presentation is to empower Funeral directors to enhance the way they currently operate their businesses.

“I was really excited when Kim House, Convention Coordinator for the Kentucky Association asked if I would present at their Annual Convention.  The funeral industry and technology are my two passions so the attendees will get a great presentation with a lot of practical advice and valuable, easy-to-use take-aways.” remarked Heppell. “Plus I will recording more interviews for the FuneralGurus.com website so make sure you jot down what specific service or offering that your firms provides that makes you different and unique.”

Addressing the lack of information and guidance on how to use technology in funeral homes, Heppell will discuss the following in his presentation:

• Commercial applications such as Excel, PowerPoint and Photoshop and how they can give Funeral Directors the competitive advantage
• The free resource of Google Applications and how they can be used within a funeral home
• A variety of options in creating video tributes
• Basic technologies including email, the Internet, and even wireless technology making businesses more efficient and also saving money

Within the funeral industry, Heppell has successfully presented internationally on several topics including technology and Internet strategies. “Rob’s knowledge of technology makes his presentations both unique and very beneficial for Funeral Directors and preneed consultants.” Sheila Nunn, Funeral Plans Canada.

For more information download Robin Heppell’s Speaker’s Kit at http://www.funeralfuturist.com/keynotes-workshops/

About Robin Heppell
Robin Heppell, CFSP, combines his expertise in technology and preneed, his formal business knowledge and his deep-rooted legacy in the funeral profession so that he can help funeral homes and cemeteries be more competitive, more profitable, and provide the best possible service for the families they serve. Through his consulting firm, FuneralFuturist.com in Victoria, British Columbia, he assists funeral directors and cemeterians throughout North America embrace and incorporate innovative strategies and technologies. His own websites include FuneralGurus.com and FuneralFuturist.com.

About FDA of Kentucky
As early as 1861, persons engaged in funeral service met informally to discuss issues of common interest. Mr. T. J. Danahy of Lexington had been in correspondence with the undertakers of the various towns and cities in Kentucky in an effort to organize a convention or association for the purpose of mutual assistance, information, and so forth for a year. Then in 1882, the formal organization of the Kentucky Undertaker’s Association was established statewide. With this humble, yet sturdy beginning, The Funeral Directors Association of Kentucky was born. It has continued to this day as a strong organization to promote professional ideas and public service.

Robin Heppell will deliver his presentation on Monday, June 22, 2009 from 12:30pm to 2:00PM. The Convention will be held starting June 22-24, 2009 located at Hyatt Regency Hotel, Kentucky International Convention Center, Louisville, KY. For more information contact: Association Office 800-866-3211 or visit www.FDAofKY.com.

For media inquiries, please visit www.FuneralFuturist.com/media-room

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Mark Stehn, CFSP, Executive Director of the Oregon Funeral Directors Association has secured Robin Heppell, CFSP, to keynote at its annual convention in April. With the theme of this year’s convention being, “Ride the Wave – Sea the Future” it only seems appropriate that Heppell – the Funeral Futurist – be involved.

Heppell’s keynote is titled, 3 Keys to Future Funeral Service Success!

There has never been a tougher time to be in Funeral Service. We as funeral professionals face many challenges: changing trends, increased outside competition and technology overload – all things that did not affect the former generations. If we could only change one thing – our mindset – and embrace these challenges and more importantly take action on them, it will be the best time to be in Funeral Service. Are you up for the Funeral Futurist Challenge?

Heppell will also be facilitating 4 workshops:

1. Google and the Funeral Industry: With three quarters of the population using the Internet, and Google being the go-to place to find information, it is imperative to understand the basics of how Google see you. This workshop will feature live demonstrations so if you would like a free website review, please let the Association know.
2. Your Funeral Home on YouTube: The fourth most popular website on the Internet and being owned by Google, YouTube has the attention of Internet users! Are you using YouTube to get your customers’ attention? This workshop will feature a live example so if you have a television commercial or other video and you want it up on the Internet, please let the Association know.
3. Funeral Home eNewsletters: Learn the basics of launching a successful eNewsletter program. This workshop will provide you with a starter guide that addresses get people to subscribe to your list, content, format, and frequency as well as references to other programs available.
4. Ask the Futurist: In this fourth session, members can ask questions of Heppell on a variety of topics. From his travels around the country, his interviews with funeral professionals on FuneralGurus.com, and practicing funeral services in a high cremation, highly competitive market to the North, he can provide insight, suggestions, or at least the resources to your questions! If you have questions ahead of time, submit them to the Association, and Heppell with answer them at this session or on his website if time does not permit.

The conference will be held from April 24th to 27th in Seaside, Oregon. For more information and for registration details, visit: www.ofda.org.