SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

Optional Tours

Explore the unique attractions that Louisville has to offer with fellow PROGRESS attendees. Details on tours and pricing will be updated soon. 

Registration is open

Optional Tours

Explore the unique attractions that Louisville has to offer with fellow PROGRESS attendees. Details on tours and pricing will be updated soon.  

Past Presidents Welcome Reception

Kick off your PROGRESS experience at this opening reception to honor the accomplishments of previous OGR leaders and catch up with friends over light refreshments. All attendees are welcome!

Dine Arounds

Join fellow OGR members for dinner at various restaurants around Louisville, Kentucky. Enjoy tasty local cuisine while reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. 

offsite, optional, at your own expense, transportation not included

Registration is open

Breakfast

OGR Annual Business Meeting

OGR member firms only

Supplier Showcase

Break & Supplier Networking

Education Session: Embracing the Digital Frontier

The funeral industry is facing one of the most significant shifts in its history. Families are searching differently. Trust is built digitally before it is ever built in person. And AI is reshaping how businesses are discovered, evaluated, and chosen. In Embracing the Digital Frontier, Court Bluford challenges funeral professionals to rethink what digital adoption really means. This session goes beyond social media trends and tech hype to focus on practical strategies that increase visibility, strengthen community trust, and drive measurable growth. This session blends real-world experience, cross-industry insights, and actionable frameworks designed for leaders who want to stay relevant, competitive, and community-centered in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. 

Court Bluford, Lissiland

Education Session: Compassionate Discussion & Financial Truths

This one-hour professional development program, "Compassionate Discussion and Financial Truths," equips funeral directors with practical tools and confidence to navigate one of their most challenging responsibilities - discussing financial matters with grieving families. Through relatable opening scenarios that funeral directors immediately recognize, the training explores the psychology of grief and financial stress, provides specific language and techniques for opening financial conversations with empathy, and teaches the CALM method for handling emotional responses. 

Olivia Ralston Yergler, Express Funeral Funding

Jack Willaert, Express Funeral Funding

Lunch

Spouses Lunch***

Optional Add-on, more details will be posted soon

Education Session: Ideas Exchange

Session Description coming soon. 

Supplier Networking Time

Golden Circle Celebration Cocktail Reception

Golden Circle Celebration Dinner

Experience an unforgettable night at The Galt House with the fabulous Golden Circle Celebration Dinner. This year's dinner will feature a Kentucky Derby theme. Dinner will be followed by a program that includes a Service of Remembrance, Milestone Recognitions, Professional Service Awards, and the OGR Board Installation.

bar opens at 5 pm

Registration is open

Breakfast

Education Session: Myths & Misconceptions About Funeral Service Education

Education is an important and integral part of the pre-licensure process. This presentation covers the roles of the organizations involved in funeral service education and what you can do to get involved in the education process. Also discussed are current initiatives that states and regulatory agencies are performing in an effort to address the labor shortage. 

Joseph Finocchiaro, EJD, MBIE, CFSP, Pierce Mortuary Colleges, Inc.

Education Session: Hospitality Skills for Funeral Service Professionals

Step into the world of compassionate care and professional service in this one-hour workshop tailored specifically for any funeral home team member who interacts with families and guests. Join Lacy Robinson for an engaging session where she explores the art of hospitality and the moments of truth strategy, a proven framework for exceeding expectations at every touchpoint of the family experience.

Lacy Robinson, Johnson Consulting Group; Worsham College of Mortuary Science

Lunch & Final Supplier Networking Time

Education Session: Panel Discussion

Session description coming soon