The ICCFA is pleased to announce that our Fall Management & Leadership Conference will be held this September 14-16, 2021, at the beautiful Mountain Shadows Resort in Paradise Valley, Arizona. This event is the only conference in the deathcare profession that specifically focuses on the issues and topics affecting owners, executives and top-level managers. Designed with your needs in mind, this educational and networking event will equip you with the right tools and leadership skills to help you prepare for the future.

Things get off to a swinging start on Tuesday, September 14, with the annual ICCFA golf tournament followed by a networking reception. On Wednesday & Thursday, you’ll be treated to fantastic keynote speakers ready to share their actionable tips that can help you create a successful business model. There will also be our Government & Legal Affairs Breakfast, a hands-on workshop, and a number of fantastic networking opportunities.

Schedule of Events

*All times MST

Monday, September 13

• 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM | ICCFA Strategic Planning Committee Meeting
• 3:30 – 4:45 PM | ICCFA Finance Committee Meeting
• 5:00 – 6:00 PM | ICCFA Executive Committee Meeting

Tuesday, September 14

• 8:30 – 10:30 AM | ICCFA Board Meeting
• 12:00 – 5:00 PM | ICCFA Golf Tournament (Located at Padre Course at Camelback Golf Club)
• 6:30 – 8:00 PM | Welcome Reception

Wednesday, September 15

• 8:00 – 9:15 AM | Welcome Coffee & Breakfast
• 9:30 – 10:30 AM | Keynote Presentation: “Lead from the Future: How to Turn Visionary Thinking into Breakthrough Growth Business” with Mark Johnson
• 11:00 – 12:00 PM | Keynote Presentation: “The Right Way of Death” with Jonathan Lewis
• 12:00 – 2:00 PM | Lunch
• 2:00 – 3:00 PM | Workshop: “The Right Way of Death” with Jonathan Lewis
• 6:30 – 8:00 PM | Networking Reception

Thursday, September 16

• 9:00 – 10:00 AM | Government & Legal Affairs Breakfast with Poul Lemasters, Keenan Knopke, and Les Schneider
• 10:30 – 12:00 PM | Keynote Presentation: “The Role of Vulnerability and Empathy in Creating Best-in-Class Workplaces” with Natalie Johnson

Detailed agenda coming soon!

Schedule of Events

*All times MST

Monday, September 13

• 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM | ICCFA Strategic Planning Committee Meeting
• 3:30 – 4:45 PM | ICCFA Finance Committee Meeting
• 5:00 – 6:00 PM | ICCFA Executive Committee Meeting

Tuesday, September 14

• 8:30 – 10:30 AM | ICCFA Board Meeting
• 12:00 – 5:00 PM | ICCFA Golf Tournament (Located at Padre Course at Camelback Golf Club)
• 6:30 – 8:00 PM | Welcome Reception

Wednesday, September 15

• 8:00 – 9:15 AM | Welcome Coffee & Breakfast
• 9:30 – 10:30 AM | Keynote Presentation: “Lead from the Future: How to Turn Visionary Thinking into Breakthrough Growth Business” with Mark Johnson
• 11:00 – 12:00 PM | Keynote Presentation: “The Right Way of Death” with Jonathan Lewis
• 12:00 – 2:00 PM | Lunch
• 2:00 – 3:00 PM | Workshop: “The Right Way of Death” with Jonathan Lewis
• 6:30 – 8:00 PM | Networking Reception

Thursday, September 16

• 9:00 – 10:00 AM | Government & Legal Affairs Breakfast with Poul Lemasters, Keenan Knopke, and Les Schneider
• 10:30 – 12:00 PM | Keynote Presentation: “The Role of Vulnerability and Empathy in Creating Best-in-Class Workplaces” with Natalie Johnson

Detailed agenda coming soon!

Keynote Speakers

Mark Johnson

Mark Johnson co-founded Innosight alongside Harvard Business School professor Clayton M. Christensen, the man who originated the business theory known as disruptive innovation. Both analytically rigorous and creative, Innosight is a consultancy that operates “entirely in the future business.” It encourages leaders to change the way they think about the future, all while helping them build the capabilities they need to do things that were once impossible. Johnson believes that extraordinary leaders are not the result of innate qualities. What truly sets them apart, he says, is their ability to turn visions into action—a critical, yet underdeveloped skill in business. In his upcoming book Lead from the Future: How to Turn Visionary Thinking into Breakthrough Growth (March 2020), Johnson helps leaders prepare for the future—without being clouded by today’s challenges or the baggage of the past. A manifesto for long-term leadership, and a roadmap for instilling visionary thinking, Lead from the Future shows us that the successes of Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos can be replicated, and sustained, with the right tools.

Jonathan Lewis

Jonathan David Lewis is the author of Brand vs Wild, a Forbes contributor, and a brand survival expert at McKee Wallwork + Co. Alongside author Eric Layer, Jonathan helps lead the deathcare division as president at McKee Wallwork + Co., an internationally recognized marketing advisory firm that specializes in generating momentum for stalled, stuck, and stale industries and brands. Jonathan has consulted for a number of globally recognized funeral brands and has played an integral role in their campaigns, products, and research efforts. Jonathan’s opinions are highly sought by numerous business and marketing publications, including Forbes, Digiday, and Advertising Age, where he explores the factors of stalled growth and the principles proven to help companies traverse the dangers of the brand wilderness.

Natalie Johnson

Natalie Johnson is an expert trainer and speaker on individual and organizational wellbeing and performance. She has over 30 years’ experience working with employers, healthcare systems and carriers on creating strategy that improves company productivity and individual performance. Natalie’s background in Exercise Physiology, Performance Nutrition & Performance Psychology set the foundation for how behavior change can have a significant impact on performance when there’s a connection to a meaningful purpose. She is an award-winning industry-recognized Performance Coach, a certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator and an Emotional Wellbeing Coach certified through Wellcoaches™. Natalie is known for her engaging and high-energy personality as well as for her ability to help people align their decisions and behaviors with their purpose and values. Natalie creates extraordinary experiences for her audiences through storytelling and her ability to connect with any audience.