SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

Optional Day Tour: Kentucky Bourbon Boys Tour, sponsored by Passages International

Attendees will have the opportunity to visit 3 distilleries in the Central Region for tastings. At 2 of the distilleries, attendees will enjoy tours of the facility. Lunch during the experience is included, along with bottled water and snacks, but additional purchases at lunch (including alcohol) are not included in the price. Tour price is $280 per person and is all-inclusive. Driver gratuity and lunch are included in the price. Transportation will be provided for the entire day. Registration will be open until Monday, April 6. 

Registration is Open

Optional Tour: Scott Funeral Home

Join us for a tour of Scott Funeral Home in Jeffersonville, IN, where attendees have the opportunity to learn how another independently owned funeral home operates while touring their beautiful facility. The group will depart from the hotel lobby at 9:45 am, and the tour will last approximately one hour. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Special thanks to Billy and Aaron Scott for generously hosting the visit

Optional Tour: Bourbon & Bats Tour

Embark on an award-winning factory tour and witness the world-class museum at gallery at Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. Follow that up with Louisville's top-rated bourbon attraction at Barrels & Billets Bourbon Experience, located right next door to the museum. At Barrels & Billets, you'll dive into the world of bourbon. Discover the art of blending America's signature spirit and craft a custom bourbon recipe that reflects your unique taste. You'll get to name your bourbon blend, which is bottled and labeled onsite. You'll have the option to purchase your bottle for $55+ tax, if you would like.

Tour is priced at $50 per person. Attendees will walk 5 blocks from The Galt House to Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory and then back to The Galt House upon tour completion. A small transportation vehicle will be provided for attendees that cannot or prefer not to walk. 

Past Presidents Welcome Reception

Kick off your PROGRESS experience at this opening reception as we honor the accomplishments of past OGR leaders and reconnect with friends over light refreshments. In a nod to the spirit of the Kentucky Oaks in Louisville, we invite you to join the fun by wearing a touch of pink as we celebrate together. All attendees are welcome!

Dine Arounds

Join other PROGRESS attendees for dinner at one of Louisville's top restaurants. Select from several different dining establishments. It’s a great chance to enjoy the city’s food scene, catch up with friends, and get to know other members in a relaxed setting.
Optional, offsite, at your own expense, transportation not included

Registration is Open

Breakfast

OGR Annual Business Meeting

OGR member firms only

Supplier Showcase

And they're off! Start your day with this fast-paced, high-energy introduction to the supply partners exhibiting at PROGRESS. Think of it as your pre-race program—a thrilling preview of the innovative products, services, and ideas awaiting you once the gates open. Place your bet on our supply partners - the ones that will help you get across the finish line!

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: The Owner's Journey: Succession Strategies Across the Lifecycle of a Funeral Home

Join this insightful discussion featuring experienced funeral home owners and industry experts who have or are actively navigating succession planning. Hear how they approach this critical process at different points in their journey. Gain practical perspectives on the "how" and "why" behind their choices, including key challenges, timing considerations, valuation strategies, family dynamics, leadership development, and ensuring business continuity while honoring the unique values of independent funeral service. 

Evan Strong, Evan J. Strong Funeral Services

Chris Miller, Thomas Miller Mortuary & Crematory

Jamie Wieting, Wieting Family Funeral Home

Vince Roberge, Johnson Consulting Group

Supplier Networking Time

Golden Circle Celebration Cocktail Reception

Step into the winner's circle and join us for a spirited, Derby-inspired gathering to kick off the evening's main event. Sip on classic mint juleps (or your favorite bourbon libations) and enjoy lively conversation with friends and colleagues.

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: Ideas Exchange

Session description coming soon