PRESS RELEASE
LINCOLNSHIRE, IL — Selected Independent Funeral Homes is excited to travel to Grand Cayman for the 2023 NextGen Seminar Jan. 29-Feb. 2 after a three-year delay due to the pandemic.
For more than four decades, Selected’s NextGen program (formerly known as “Under Forty”) has brought together young funeral professionals, as well as those new to the profession, to share experiences, learn from each other and build meaningful relationships to help them thrive in the funeral service profession. The four-day NextGen Seminar, held annually, offers educational and networking sessions for its participants. This year’s Seminar will feature two dynamic speakers.
Marguerite Ham, Founder of Igniting Success and Dean of the Selected Leadership Academy, will return to facilitate an updated version of her highly praised session given at the 2019 NextGen Seminar. Ham will provide practical tools on how to navigate critical conversations, build connected teams through dynamic leadership and maintain the health and well-being of staff members. Participants will actively decide areas of focus as well as crowdsource other ideas.
Jonathan Lewis of McKee Wallwork + Co will explore the key to navigating today’s new strategic challenge: fostering healthy cultures from the inside out. Built on more than 20 years of research and McKee Wallwork’s decades of experience in funeral service, Lewis will help identify what a leader can do to overcome the myriad of recruitment and retention challenges.
In addition, participants will have a chance to address the issues that matter most to them during the “Next Practices Exchange” session facilitated by NextGen Co-Chairs Mackenzie Rediske of Uht Funeral Home, Westland, MI and Jonathan Kepner of Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home, Huntersville, NC.
During the Seminar, Selected also will recognize the recipient of the 2023 NextGen Professional of the Year Award, which highlights career achievements, community/organization involvement and awards/achievements of funeral professionals under the age of 50.
“The NextGen Seminar gives me a lot of content,” said Josh Blake of Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home in Waco, TX. “I’m able to take these conversations back home, apply these ideas and share them with our staff.”
The 2023 NextGen Seminar is sponsored in part by Kelco Supply Company.
Visit the Selected website for complete information on the 2023 NextGen Seminar, including available continuing education credits.
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About Selected Independent Funeral Homes:
For more than 100 years, Selected Independent Funeral Homes has been a leading association of independently owned death-care providers. The Association connects leaders in funeral service by delivering innovative and pertinent resources, solutions and ongoing support to its international network. These leaders transform care as they aspire to the highest quality standards and best practices.
