During the NFDA International Convention & Expo in Charlotte, make sure you visit NFDA Central. There you'll find staff members who can get you the information or answers you need or simply point you in the right direction. Browse the NFDA Bookstore, check out Pursuit of Excellence Award winners and place your bids in the PAC Silent Auction.

• NFDA Membership and Bookstore: Receive a gift when you join NFDA or renew your membership! Plus, discover great products, information and continuing education offerings to help you achieve more for the families you serve and for your business. Plus, check out the new NFDA logo wear!
   
• Pursuit of Excellence: Discover an impactful way to set your firm apart from the competition and also see what's happening with the firms already participating in NFDA's premier public relations program. The Pursuit of Excellence program is just one of the many ways NFDA can help you achieve more in your community, your business and your life.
   
• NFDA PAC Silent Auction: Stop at the NFDA Political Action Committee (PAC) Silent Auction area to meet your Washington, D.C., Advocacy staff and peruse exciting silent auction items donated by state associations and individual funeral directors. This year's special items include two tickets to the 2013 Indianapolis 500 in May 2013, a porcelain sculpture of the "New Jersey State Memorial Tree," a "Taste of West Virginia" gift basket, a crystal Boston Red Sox clock with authentic dirt from Fenway Park, a gift certificate to Phillips Seafood, a Lobster Clambake Supreme for two and many more exciting, unique items to bid on!
   
• Funeral Service Foundation: Stop by and learn about the Funeral Service Foundation, a national public grant-making organization whose mission is to provide resources for career and professional development, support for funeral service and allied professions, public awareness and education and improvement of children's lives. Visitors to the foundation's booth located in NFDA Central can sign up to win two Southwest Airlines tickets donated by Southwest Airlines Cargo to be given away during Convention.
   
• International Business Center: NFDA staff will match interested international buyers with appropriate U.S. exhibitors. U.S. officials and other organizations are helping NFDA promote the 2012 Convention & Expo and bring international buyers to Charlotte. An export directory will be posted on the International Page of www.nfda.org/charlotte2012 to find companies that are interested in international business.
   
• Book Signings: 
  • Sunday, October 710
    • 10a.m.-12 p.m.: Doug Manning, author of The Funeral: A Chance to Touch, A Chance to Serve, A Chance to Heal and other books.
    • 12:30-2:30 p.m.: Debra Schmidt, author of Building Customer Loyalty From the Inside Out and other books.
  • Monday, October 8
    • 8-10 a.m.: Robert Mayer, author of Embalming History, Theory and Practice and other books.
    • 11 a.m.-12 p.m.: Alan Wolfelt, author of Creating Meaningful Funeral Ceremonies: A Guide for Families and many other books.
       
• Workshop Recordings
   
• Tours
   
• Information
   
• Internet Kiosks