Annual Convention

Members and industry professionals gathered in Verona, NY for the NYSFDA Annual Convention August 21-24, 2022. The event brought more than 500 funeral directors, mortuary science students, guests and exhibitors to Central New York, held at the Turning Stone Resort Casino.

“Our Annual Convention provides an excellent opportunity for funeral professionals to come together and earn valuable CEUs, cultivate relationships, and celebrate accomplishments,” said Michael Lanotte, Executive Director. “Attendees gain additional skills to better serve families and their communities, develop a stronger understanding of funeral service laws and best practices as well as build closer relationships with the caregiver colleagues they work with every day.”

During the Association’s Annual Meeting on Monday, August 22 Robert J. Hogan, Quinn-Fogarty Funeral Home, Flushing, was installed NYSFDA President. A New York State licensed funeral director for 30+ years, Hogan will serve for the 2022-23 term.

“I am honored that the members of NYSFDA have entrusted me to serve as their president and I will always do what I think is in the best interest of all of the members of NYSFDA,” stated Hogan. “I am extremely fortunate to have been influenced and encouraged by my late father, Jack, past presidents of both the MetFDA and the NYSFDA, current leadership and my colleagues at SCI.”

For the full list of officers installed at NYSFDA's Annual Meeting, visit our website.

The convention offered a variety of educational programs for licensed funeral directors and mortuary science students, plus a trade show for attendees and their guests. More than 50 exhibiting companies secured booth space to showcase caskets and urns, hearses, software and technology, and other funeral-related services and items.

Nationally recognized presenters in the funeral services industry included Thomas Fuller of the NYS Bureau of Funeral Directing, communication and body language expert Jan Hargrave, Emmy-winning journalist and grief writer Allison Gilbert, modern embalmer Dominick Astorino, and Cremation Association of North America (CANA) Executive Director Barbara Kemmis. Educational topics ranged from forensic pathology, restorative arts, marketing strategies, the importance of self-care and more.

“It was a very successful event filled with inspiration and fellowship. We had a great turnout, first-class education sessions and plenty of opportunities to network socially and professionally," said Lanotte.

Mark your calendar for August 20-23, 2023 for our Convention in Saratoga Springs, NY.