2008 Annual Conference -
"Here Today. Where Tomorrow?
Doorway to Success" -
Confronts Emerging Issues; Reignites Family Spirit

“This conference was a wonderful experience for our members,” concluded OGR President Guy Linnemann, CFSP, following OGR’s 2008 Annual Conference, “Here Today. Where Tomorrow? Doorway to Success,” held April 16-19 in Chicago. “We expected a dynamic program, and we knew Chicago would be a very favorable location. But we reached the pinnacle this year, both in spirit and substance.”

Conference attendees seem to concur. The meeting brought members face-to-face with a challenging array of emerging issues, trends and consumer expectations, while serving up practical takeaways to incorporate at their funeral homes. Attended by nearly 250 members and colleagues, the conference also was a celebration of OGR’s 80th anniversary, being observed this year.

OGR is already at work planning the 2009 Annual Conference being held April 22-25 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville — “The Music City.”

For questions, contact the education/meetings department, (800) 637-8030, jgabbert@ogr.org. To order photos from the 2008 conference, visit: http://jeffellisphoto.com/OGR_LevyPhoto/index.htm

Pricing for individual prints:
3x5: $2.75
4x6: &4.75
5x7: $6.75
8x10: $10.75
11x14: $14.75

Emailed individual images are $10 each. Images transferred to CD or DVD are $5 each, plus the cost of the DVD or CD at $10 per disc. All images can be converted to B&W or Sepia at no charge.

Postage is first class service unless otherwise indicated. Shipping and handling, $8 each. For questions, contact Bob Levy, R. Levy Photography, 8549 W. Brodman Ave., Chicago, IL 60656; (773) 625-1741.

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Program Schedule

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

5:00-5:30 p.m. New Member/First Time Attendee Reception
First time attendees and new association members are invited to meet members of OGR's Board of Directors.

5:30-9:00 p.m. Welcome Reception
This extended reception at the Renaissance will provide plenty of food, drink and time to re-connect with old friends and new acquaintances.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

7:00-8:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast

8:00-9:15 a.m. Opening Session: "The State of the Association"
President Robin L. Williams; Executive Director William A. Edmunds; Milestone Anniversaries; Memorial Service

This introductory session will start you on the road to success. Join OGR President Robin L. Williams and Executive Director William A. Edmunds as they review OGR's illustrious past, discuss current accomplishments and share plans for a bright future. Member firms reaching significant milestones in their OGR membership will be recognized and the session ends with a Memorial Service honoring members who died during the past year.

9:15-9:45 a.m. Beverage Break/Supplier Showcase
Interact with colleagues and Golden Services Suppliers during this time to relax and mingle.

9:45-11:45 a.m. Keynote Address: "Creating Distinctive Value: Building Your Funeral Service from the Outside In"
Thomas J. Winninger, WINNINGER Resource Companies, Inc.

Funeral Service is a series of interconnected activities that brings together unique services with the changing needs and wants of today's consumer. Thomas J. Winninger , frequently referred to as America's leading market strategist, will help you develop a service-oriented environment that brings you closer to your client family; understand the importance of "value-added"; convert a product-driven effort to value-driven effect; respond effectively to price competition; and get control of your brand message. Open the door to more successful service through Thom's insight and ideas!

11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Lunch Buffet/Supplier Showcase
Meet with suppliers and peruse select products and services available through OGR's Golden Services Group co-op buying program. A lunch buffet will be held in the showcase.

1:45-3:00 p.m. Volume Breakouts
Join members with similar-sized funeral homes at these free-flowing, confidential discussions of recent challenges, issues and trends. Sessions are guided by seasoned moderators.

I. 150 cases and fewer
II. More than 150 cases

3:00-3:30 p.m. Dessert Bar/Supplier Showcase

3:30-5:00 p.m. Panel Discussion: Licensing and Copyright Infringement
Jeff Burrow, BMI; T. Scott Gilligan, Gilligan Law Offices; Kevin Wakefield, Memories by Design

Join these panelists in a discussion of the current laws concerning copyrighted music and photographs. They'll present scenarios with music/photos that follow and don't follow the law, as well as explain the ramifications of breaking the law.

6:30 p.m. Optional Dutch Treat Dinners
Enjoy a taste of Chicago's outstanding eateries while sharing camaraderie with OGR members during optional Dutch treat dinners. Sign-up taken on site.

8 p.m. Performance of "Wicked"
A limited number of tickets are available for the Thursday night performance of the Tony Award-winning musical "Wicked" at the Ford Center of Performing Arts. Use the Annual Conference registration form to order.

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Friday, April 18, 2008

8:00-9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast

9:00-10:15 a.m. Concurrent Session I: Your Next Funeral: What's It Worth?
Quinn H. Eagan, CLU, Pre-Need Funeral Program

The pressure of running a successful funeral home has never been greater than it is today. W hat options should you consider to improve your business? By implementing proven programs to find "new families" who will utilize your services and the new "how to" method to follow up only with families who express an interest in your services, you can reap financial rewards now and well into the future.  In addition, you'll find families better satisfied and spending more money with you to get what they want. Quinn Eagan will show you how to get a better understanding of the value of these programs and how to go about protecting your future.

Concurrent Session II: How to Assure 100% "Affordable" Compliance with Wage and Hour Guidelines
David V. Tudor, The Directions Group

Tens of millions of dollars are computed against employers each year in back wage liability. In addition to the cost, the last thing an employer wants to see is their name in the local newspaper - citing violation to federal or state wage regulations. In this important session, David Tudor will show you why preneed insurance commissions, paid directly by the insurance company to your employees, is subject to overtime; how to competitively and affordably pay directors and still be wage hour compliant; the correct way to handle "on call" time; how to correctly compute overtime premiums on bonus, commissions, incentives and other fees paid to your employees; and much more.

10:15-10:45 a.m. Networking Beverage Break/Supplier Showcase

10:45 a.m.-12:10 p.m. General Session: "Incorporating Green Burials into Your Service Offerings"
William (Billy) Campbell, M.D. and Kimberley Campbell, Memorial Ecosystems; Joe Sehee, Green Burial Council

After years of popularity overseas, green burials have found their way to North America with more families asking about the process. In order to meet the needs of all families, OGR has brought in the experts to discuss how funeral directors can incorporate green burials into your service offerings, providing another pathway to success. Billy and Kimberley Campbell operate the first green cemetery opened in the United States and Joe Sehee educates the public about green burials. They will share their practical experience of working with funeral directors and techniques to you meet the needs of your families.

12:20-1:50 p.m. Awards Luncheon
OGR will mark the significant accomplishments of funeral service professionals and students by presenting the Exemplary Service Awards, Awards of Excellence and National Family Appreciation Month scholarship finalist.

2:00-3:15 p.m. General Session: "Caregivers: Learning the Art of Receiving as Well as Giving"
Ken Czillinger, M. Div.

As a funeral director, you know how important it is to assist grieving families in their time of need. But what about you? Who helps you deal with the stress of taking care of others? Ken Czillinger , a former priest and expert in bereavement and healing, will teach you the importance of taking care of yourself in order to better serve your families, a key component in a successful funeral home.

3:15-3:45 p.m. Beverage Break/Supplier Showcase

3:45-5:00 p.m. Concurrent Session III: Guidelines for Offering Funeral Packages
T. Scott Gilligan, Esq., Gilligan Law Offices

T. Scott Gilligan is the unofficial expert on the FTC's Funeral Rule and guidelines for offering funeral packages. Join him as he shows you how to put together funeral packages that meet the guidelines while ensuring profitability for you.

Concurrent Session IV: The Funeral Directors for the 21 st Century and the New Organization That Supports Them
David V. Tudor, The Directions Group

One-third to one-half of today's client families view "funeral service" as an option. For the first time in the history of your business, many funeral service organizations have found it necessary to cut wages, reduce or eliminate benefits, permanently layoff employees, including directors, and have experienced a substantial decline in profitability. Much of this negative impact can be mitigated with changes and modifications to your organization. David Tudor will discuss changes you can make as soon as you get home, such as how to redefine the role and performance expectations of all employees, especially the directors, and how to handle the arrangements conference so as to avoid the potential loss of revenue that was considered a given in the past. This most important seminar will have a profound positive affect on the long-term success of your firm.

6:00 p.m. An Evening with OGR's President-Elect
Lawry's The Prime Rib
100 East Ontario St.
Chicago, IL 60611

One of the most important aspects of any OGR conference is the opportunity to meet and break bread with our colleagues. Please join Marsha and Guy Linnemann for dinner at Lawry's The Prime Rib, a wonderful steak and seafood restaurant housed in the 1890's McCormick Mansion. The evening begins with a reception offering hors d'oeuvres - dinner will be served at 7 p.m. A cash bar will be available throughout the evening. Cost and a personal invitation will be sent after OGR receives an individual's registration for the conference. Please contact Mindy Stallmeyer at Linnemann Funeral Homes, (859) 727-1250 or mindy@lfhmail.com.

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Saturday, April 19, 2008

8:00-9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast

9:00-10:30 a.m. Panel Discussion: Chinese Caskets
Jerry Reichert, Aurora Casket Company; Robert Hunsaker, SinoSource International Company, Inc., Ken Camp; Max Cochran, Cochran Funeral Home (additional panelists to be added soon)

In the past six months, Chinese caskets have been a topic at most funeral association meetings. Join these experts as they present their views on Chinese caskets - the quality, copyright issues and pricing that have so many funeral professionals wondering whether to add them to the mix of casket offerings.

10:30-10:50 a.m. Networking Beverage Break

10:50 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Closing Session: "The Dream Manager"
Matthew Kelly, Floyd Consulting

The simple truth is: the destiny of your organization and the destiny of the people that drive your organization are inseparably linked. The Dream Manager concept demonstrates how organizations, large and small, can actively engage their people to create a competitive advantage of monumental proportions. In this presentation, Matthew Kelly will explain the powerful connection between employees' personal dreams and a corporation's ability to achieve goals and sustain growth. He demonstrates that a company cannot expect to attract and retain the employees necessary to guarantee sustainable growth and profitability unless that company can help those employees move in the direction of their personal dreams and ambitions. Using an array of practical examples, Matthew illustrates the broad application of the Dream Manager concept and demonstrates how, in different areas of our lives, we all take on the role of the Dream Manager.

6:00-7:00 p.m. President's Reception
Enjoy a final evening with friends and colleagues at this semi-formal/black-tie optional event.

7:00-9:30 p.m. Annual Banquet & Installation
This special evening includes the installation of OGR's Board of Directors and Officers as well as the presentation of the Golden Light Award , OGR's highest honor.

9:30-11:30 p.m. Entertainment
The formality of the evening ends and the fun begins! Don't miss what is sure to be a memorable evening!

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How to Register

• Download a registration form here and mail to OGR Annual Conference, P.O. Box 28689, St. Louis, MO 6314-1189
  
• Call: Jenny at (800) 637-8030 x 120
  
• Fax registration form to:(314) 209-1289

Come and join us in celebrating OGR's 80th anniversary! Click here to view the current list of registrants.

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Renaissance Chicago Hotel