Some of the best conversations at Convention happen outside the classroom — when you meet someone who understands the challenge you’re facing, shares an idea you hadn’t considered or simply makes you realize, I’m not the only one dealing with this.

This year, the 2026 NFDA International Convention & Expo is creating a place for more of those conversations to happen. The new Connection Hub, located near NFDA Central, will be your home base for informal networking, peer-to-peer learning and meaningful conversation throughout Convention.

Unlike a traditional education session, you won’t come to the Connection Hub to sit and listen to a presentation. Each gathering is built around a topic or shared experience, with a host to get the conversation started and plenty of opportunity for everyone to participate, exchange ideas and make new connections.

Here’s what’s happening in the Connection Hub:

• Sunday, October 25
  • 2:30–3:30 p.m. – Leadership That Matters
    Host: Ruth Graczkowski
    Explore practical ways to lead with purpose, build trust and make a lasting impact on your team and profession. Whether you’re a first-time manager or a seasoned leader, come ready to talk about what meaningful leadership looks like.
  • 3:30–4:30 p.m. – You Belong in the Room: Owning Your Place in Funeral Service
    Host: Lanae Strovers
    A candid conversation for women at every stage of their careers about belonging, being seen and finding confidence in funeral service. Swap stories, share what’s worked and connect with women who understand the journey.
• Monday, October 26
  • 11:45 a.m.–12:30 p.m. – Day One Done Right: A Meet-Up for First-Timers & Students
    Hosts: Morgan Johnson-Schlender and Reagan Masini
    New to Convention or funeral service? Start here. Meet other first-timers, ask questions and get some help making the most of your Convention experience.
  • 1–1:45 p.m. – Where Are You Now? A Meet the Mentors Reunion
    Host: Nicole Krause
    Past Meet the Mentors participants—mentors and mentees alike—are invited to reconnect, share where their careers have taken them and catch up with people who were part of the journey.
  • 1:45–2:45 p.m. – Dead Tired: Motherhood Meets Funeral Service
    Host: Lanae Strovers
    Raising a family while building a career in funeral service isn’t easy. Parents and caregivers are invited to talk candidly about balancing the demands of work and home and share what’s helping them navigate both.
• Tuesday, October 27
  • 9–10 a.m. – Pursuit of Excellence Idea Exchange: What Could You Do in Your Community?
    Hosts: Jessica Koth and Pursuit of Excellence honorees
    Hear creative ways funeral homes are connecting with their communities through grief support, education, partnerships, service projects and more. Bring an idea that’s working for you—or come ready to borrow one and make it your own.
  • 10–11 a.m. – Hard Conversations, Right Words: Supporting Grieving Children
    Hosts: Pediatric Palliative Care Coalition and National Alliance for Children’s Grief
    Finding the right words for a grieving child can be difficult. Bring your toughest scenarios and exchange practical language and ideas informed by the Funeral Service Foundation’s Youth & Funerals and When a Child Dies resources.
  • noon–1 p.m. – Owner to Owner: Navigating the Challenges
    Hosts: Jeff Smith and Tim Copeland
    Succession planning. Rising costs. Staffing. Competition. What’s keeping you up at night? This candid conversation gives funeral home owners and operators a chance to talk about the challenges they’re facing and hear how peers are navigating them.
  • 1:45–2:45 p.m. – Leave the Ladder Down: Helping the Next Gen Rise
    Host: Lanae Strovers
    You’ve climbed the ladder. Now, how can you make the climb a little easier for someone else? Talk about sharing knowledge, creating opportunities and helping the next generation find its place in funeral service.
  • 3–3:45 p.m. – Private Event: Cookies & Coffee With Convention Scholars
    For 2026 NFDA Convention Scholars, Funeral Service Foundation Trustees and Committee Members
    Convention Scholars and Foundation leaders are invited to connect over cookies and coffee during this special meet-and-greet. It’s a chance for scholars to meet some of the people who help make the Foundation’s work possible—and for Foundation leaders to get to know the next generation of funeral service professionals their support is helping to advance.
• Wednesday, October 28
  • 8:30–9 a.m. – Private Event: IMPACT 1000 Closes Out the Convention!
    For IMPACT 1000 members
    Before the final day gets underway, IMPACT 1000 members are invited to gather for coffee and mimosas and raise a glass to an incredible Convention week—and to the impact their collective generosity will continue to make throughout funeral service in the year ahead.
  • 9:30–10:30 a.m. – Been There, Learned That: Women Sharing Wisdom
    Hosts: Lanae Strovers and Nicole Krause
    Chances are, another woman in funeral service has faced the challenge you’re navigating right now. Bring yours and connect with women who can share what they’ve learned along the way.
  • 10:30–11:30 a.m. – The Leader Within
    Host: Ruth Graczkowski
    Explore the mindset, habits and choices that help professionals become confident, effective leaders, and hear from emerging leaders about their own leadership journeys.

Whether you’re looking for advice, hoping to exchange ideas or simply want to meet people who understand where you’re coming from, there’s a seat for you at the Connection Hub.

You might arrive with a question or an idea. You may leave having found your people.