DEAD Talks 2026 to Empower Deathcare Professionals to ‘Ready. Set. Grow.’ in Las Vegas

STERLING, Va. (November 10, 2025) –The International Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association (ICCFA) proudly announces DEAD Talks 2026, the profession’s premier sales conference, taking place January 13–15, 2026, at Park MGM Las Vegas. This year’s theme, “Ready. Set. Grow.”, celebrates the forward momentum of today’s deathcare professionals as they expand their skills, elevate service, and lead with confidence in an evolving marketplace.

DEAD Talks has become a can’t-miss event for sales professionals, managers, and leaders seeking to take their performance to the next level. The 2026 program features a powerhouse lineup of deathcare innovators and educators delivering hands-on sessions, interactive panels, and fresh strategies to help attendees grow both personally and professionally.

The event begins Tuesday, January 13, with a first-timers orientation and lively ice breaker led by Lori Bolton, CSE, CXE, of Park Lawn Corporation. Attendees will then join “The Wheel of Objections” panel, moderated by John Bolton, CCE, CCrE, CSE, CXE, and Lori Bolton, featuring Erin Creger, Néctar Ramírez, Greg Norris, and Dan Kientzel. Panelists will share how to overcome common objections and turn challenging conversations into opportunities to serve. The day concludes with a welcome reception and networking celebration.

On Wednesday, January 14, the program kicks into high gear with keynote speaker David Priemer, author and renowned Sales Scientist. In his keynote, Priemer will explore how effective messaging shapes every step of the purchase journey—emphasizing that the experience is the product. Drawing on real-world insights and practical examples, he’ll share actionable strategies to help professionals connect authentically with families and guide them toward confident, value-driven decisions.

The day’s sessions will continue with four key themes—Educating the Consumer, Knowledge + Passion = Confidence, How to Get More Leads, and Managing Sales—featuring expert presenters including Lee Longino, Jennifer Graziano, Dr. Jason Troyer, Honnalora Hubbard, Noble Sines, Néctar Ramírez, Phil Zehms, Cathy Younkin, Brad Palmer, Eric Battles, Gary O’Sullivan, and Tony Armogida.

On Thursday, January 15, the event concludes with the Sales Seminar Certification Workshop, led by Tony Armogida, Erin Creger, and René Negrete, along with the ICCFA Sales & Marketing Committee. This hands-on session will give attendees a complete blueprint for delivering engaging, results-driven seminar presentations. The closing session, “Monday Morning Mindset” with Shane Pudenz, will help attendees translate inspiration into immediate action.

“DEAD Talks represents the ICCFA’s commitment to empowering professionals across every corner of deathcare,” said ICCFA President Bob Gordon, Jr., CCE. “It’s not just an event—it’s a catalyst for growth, innovation, and excellence. As our members evolve to meet the needs of today’s families, DEAD Talks gives them the tools, inspiration, and community to lead that change.”

“Every year, DEAD Talks is built by sales professionals, for sales professionals,” said Mike Harens, Chairman of the ICCFA Sales & Marketing Committee. “Our committee’s goal is to create an environment where attendees can connect, learn from one another, and leave energized to put new ideas into action. DEAD Talks is about helping every participant—whether it’s their first year or their fifth—walk away ready to grow.”

The ICCFA Educational Foundation is once again supporting professional growth by offering scholarships to help current ICCFA members attend DEAD Talks. These scholarships cover the full cost of registration—recipients are only responsible for travel and lodging. Applications are open now through November 18, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET, and are limited, so members are encouraged to apply early.

Registration for DEAD Talks 2026 is now open at iccfa.com/sales. Attendees are encouraged to take advantage of early bird pricing available through December 19, and group discounts make it easier than ever for teams to grow together.

Founded in 1887, the International Cemetery, Cremation, and Funeral Association is the only international trade association representing all segments of the cemetery, cremation, funeral, and memorialization profession. The association is comprised of more than 10,000 members in the cemetery, funeral home, and crematory industries, as well as supplier and related businesses worldwide.

DEAD Talks 2025 Delivers Groundbreaking Sales and Leadership Insights in Las Vegas

STERLING, Va. (March 17, 2025) – The ICCFA’s 2025 DEAD Talks Sales Conference, held February 4-6 at the Park MGM in Las Vegas, brought together 402 deathcare sales professionals—including 173 first-time attendees—from 40 states, Canada, and Guatemala. This marks the highest attendance recorded since 2012.

With an electric atmosphere and an agenda packed with actionable insights, this year’s eventcentered around the theme “Mindset Matters,” emphasizing the power of perspective in driving sales success. The conference featured a dynamic lineup of keynote speakers, peer-driven DEAD Talks presentations, and interactive workshops designed to equip attendees with innovative strategies for growth.

“This year’s DEAD Talks was truly the best I have ever attended in my 9+ years with ICCFA,” said Erin Creger of Security National Financial Corporation, echoing the excitement and enthusiasm that filled the conference.

The event kicked off with a compelling keynote from Matthew Pollard, who explored the power of storytelling in sales with “Invisible Persuasion: Building Trust and Profits Through Story.” His session provided attendees with actionable steps to replace outdated sales tactics with a fresh, emotionally resonant approach.

Day two began with an engaging keynote by Art Sarkissian, “Mindset of the Consumer,” which emphasized understanding family personas to create meaningful connections. Throughout the rest of the conference, attendees participated in 20 fast-paced DEAD Talks presentations covering a range of topics, including marketing, pre-need motivators, personal branding, leveraging technology, and more.

“This conference was fast-paced and packed with so many interesting, valuable tools to enhance my sales skills and really help me connect with families and increase sales,” said Terri DiFore, attendee and ICCFA Educational Foundation scholarship recipient. “I walked away with a wealth of information and a renewed passion to bring those tools back to my team. The speakers were engaging and motivated the audience. Great conference and looking forward to attending another.”

Reflecting on the success of his first DEAD Talks as Chairman of the ICCFA Sales & Marketing Committee, Mike Harens remarked, “This year’s DEAD Talks was an incredible opportunity to engage with top deathcare experts and gain insights that will directly impact our businesses. The energy, connections, and strategies shared made this year’s event truly unforgettable, and it was a fantastic way to kick off 2025.”

With its forward-thinking programming and collaborative environment, DEAD Talks reaffirmed its position as the premier sales conference in the profession. DEAD Talks will return to the Park MGM in Las Vegas on January 13-15, 2026. More details will be available soon at iccfa.com/sales.

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Founded in 1887, the International Cemetery, Cremation, and Funeral Association is the only international trade association representing all segments of the cemetery, cremation, funeral, and memorialization profession. The association is comprised of more than 10,000 members in the cemetery, funeral home, and crematory industries, as well as supplier and related businesses worldwide.

DEAD Talks 2025 Set to Inspire Innovation and Drive Sales Success in Las Vegas

STERLING, Va. (Dec. 16, 2024) – The International Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association (ICCFA) invites deathcare professionals to DEAD Talks 2025, an annual sales-focused conference offering cutting-edge insights into data-driven performance, technology integration, and artificial intelligence. The event will occur February 4-6, 2025, at the Park MGM Las Vegas.

This year’s conference features sessions to give attendees actionable knowledge to transform their sales and business growth approach.

Sessions include:

• Using Data to Drive Better Performance:
  • “Three Surprising Discoveries from Consumer Insights” – George Owens, Fortitude Research and Marketing, will explore unexpected insights into consumer behavior.
  • “Interactive Workshop: Leverage, Plan & Act on Current Industry Consumer Insights”—Dan Kientzel, Service Corporation International, will offer practical tools for harnessing data for better results.
• Ways to Leverage Technology in Your Sales Process:
  • “Un-Cremating Your Profits with Technology” – Eric Banks, Funeral 365, will explain how technology can unlock new revenue streams.
  • “Interactive Workshop” – Nick Timpe, CSE, webCemeteries, will provide hands-on guidance on incorporating technology into sales.
• Artificial Intelligence: The Future of Funerals:
  • “Artificial Intelligence 2.0”: Chuck Gallagher, American Funeral Financial, will discuss how AI advancements are transforming the profession.
  • “AI Impact on Funerals”—Aaron Avner, Tukios, will discuss AI’s practical applications in serving families.

The conference will close with a motivational wrap-up session, “Monday Morning Mindset,” featuring Shane Pudenz of Carriage Services and Erin Creger of Security National Family of Companies.

Registration information:
Early bird registration is available through Dec. 30, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Online registration closes Jan. 29, 2025.

Hotel accommodations: Park MGM, located at 3770 S Las Vegas Blvd., is a smoke-free property on the Las Vegas Strip and offers discounted rates for attendees. The ICCFA room block closes on Jan. 3, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST. 

Why attend?
Attendees will gain expert insights, practical tools, and networking opportunities to drive sales success and stay ahead of deathcare trends. DEAD Talks 2025 is the must-attend event for deathcare professionals looking to grow their businesses and adopt innovative practices.

Learn more: For more information or to register, visit https://iccfa.com/sales/ or contact the ICCFA meetings department at 703-391-8400.

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Founded in 1887, the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association is the only international trade association representing all cemetery, cremation, funeral and memorialization segments. The association is comprised of more than 10,000 members in the cemetery, funeral home and crematory industries, supplier and related businesses worldwide.