2 minute read
A review of NFE 2022
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More than 4,500 pass through the doors at Stoneleigh as the National Funeral Exhibition returns
Over three sunny days at Stoneleigh in June, the funeral profession came together to do business, explore new ideas, create partnerships and spend time with colleagues as friends as the 2022 National Funeral Exhibition opened its doors.
Over the course of three days, more than 4,500 people came through the doors of the show, with visitors from Europe, the US, New Zealand and South America joining UK funeral professionals from all four home nations for the event.
There were seminar sessions running in both the lecture and product showcase theatres and demonstrations happening on stands across both halls. A debate organised by the Deceased Management Advisory Group on lessons learned from the pandemic, included insight into the experience of the US funeral profession and discussion on how to preserve the strong working relationship built with Government and what the funeral profession needs to be able to successfully deliver its frontline role in future major incidents or national emergencies.
The brand new NFE Dining Club offered exhibitors and visitors a chance to enjoy the sunshine as they took a break from the show
floor for coffee and lunch – and the highly enjoyable exhibitors reception on Friday was packed to the rafters as people caught up with friends, swapped pandemic experiences and compared notes on their first day of the show.
NAFD President John Adams, who made it his mission to spend time on all 188 stands during the course of the show, said:
“What an amazing weekend. A huge thank you to all NAFD members that attended the event. It was great to meet so many funeral directors and especially those attending for the first time. It was also interesting to meet people who were not connected to the industry and see how surprised they were with how warm and friendly the industry is.
“The feedback I received all weekend, on my travels around the show, was so positive and all exhibitors found it hugely successful. I would like to thank NAFD Events Operations Manager Jane Lawrence and the whole NAFD team for their hard work. Everyone associated with the NAFD should be so proud of what was achieved. I certainly am.” Within 24 hours of the show closing, more than half of all exhibitors had already signed up for the 2024 show.
