| Attendees - Register Here: WFDA 6th Annual Professional Women's Conference Sponsors/Exhibitors - Register Here: Stay tuned for more information about sponsorship and booths! Our Mission The WFDA Professional Women’s Conference offers tools, education, and support to increase social, emotional, and professional empowerment for women in the funeral business. Our Vision The WFDA Professional Women’s Conference provides opportunities for women in the funeral business to reach their full potential by addressing their unique challenges in a safe environment and building connections within the death care industry. Who Attends All women in funeral service or related industries are invited! We welcome all students, apprentices, seasoned professionals, and women retired from funeral service to join us for professional development and fun. |
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We can't wait to see you at the 2027 Professional Women's Conference! The 6th Annual WFDA Professional Women’s Conference is set for Wisconsin Dells this year with a NEW date! This conference provides opportunities for women in funeral service to build valuable connections, partake in professional development, and address the unique challenges they face in a safe environment. This year, we are focusing even more on rejuvenation and building a strong community of female funeral directors. We invite you to join our sixth anniversary celebration with two days of networking, continuing education, and relaxation in the Dells! When: Wednesday, March 10 - Thursday, March 11, 2027 Where: Dellshire Resort 2277 Dellshire Drive Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965 |
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| Hotel Room Block Registrants of the WFDA Professional Women's Conference will get a special room block rate of $119 at the Dellshire Resort in Wisconsin Dells. Available rooms: Double Queen or King Bed Noble Rooms To book your room, call the front desk at 608-810-6500 and tell them you are with the WFDA Professional Women's Conference to get the discounted rate. **Must book your hotel room by Friday, February 26, 2027** |
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Call for Speaker Presentations The PWC Planning Committee is now accepting abstracts for speaker presentations. Do you or someone you know have engaging educational content to share with our attendees? We would love to see it! Click the button below to submit your presentation details and a PWC Committee member will reach out to you. |
| The Woman of the Year Award The Professional Women’s Conference is thrilled to have awarded the first-ever Woman of the Year Award at our 5th Annual PWC in Sturgeon Bay! Purpose:
Our First-Ever Winner: Kristen "Kris" Piehl A special highlight of the 2026 Professional Women's Conference was the presentation of the inaugural WFDA Professional Women's Conference Woman of the Year Award, a new honor recognizing an outstanding woman in funeral service who exemplifies leadership, innovation, mentorship, and a commitment to empowering others. The first recipient of this prestigious award was Kristen "Kris" Piehl, whose career has been defined by compassionate service, professional excellence, and a lasting dedication to advancing the funeral profession. |
Throughout her career, Kris has placed the families she serves at the heart of her work while remaining actively involved in both professional and community organizations. Kris is widely recognized as a trailblazer for women in funeral service, but perhaps her greatest legacy is the impact she has had on those around her. She is known for always lending a helping hand and offering kind wisdom to those who need it. Her unwavering dedication to the WFDA is unmatched, as any time we have asked her for a favor, the answer is a resounding "Yes!" before we can even finish the question. In her nomination, President Fawn Schaefer recalled meeting Kris at her very first WFDA district meeting. At the time, they were the only two female funeral directors in the room. Kris introduced herself and shared a piece of advice that would stay with Fawn throughout her career: "Women in funeral service must support one another." That message proved to be more than just words—it is the example Kris lives every day. Whether mentoring fellow funeral directors, encouraging her own daughter to enter the profession, or creating opportunities for women to learn, connect, and grow, Kris has consistently championed the success of others. Her leadership has opened doors for future generations of women entering funeral service. Kris also made history as the first licensed female funeral director in Kenosha and later became only the second woman to serve as President of the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association. The Professional Women's Conference Committee is proud to recognize Kristen "Kris" Piehl as the inaugural recipient of the Woman of the Year Award and to celebrate her extraordinary contributions to the funeral profession and the countless lives she has influenced through her leadership, mentorship, and service. Cheers to Kris, the women who came before her, and the women we can't wait to honor in the future! |
Stay tuned for more info about our 2027 WOTY Award! Eligibility: Nominees must:
Award Criteria: Nominees should exemplify excellence in several of the following areas:
Nomination Process: Nominations may be submitted by colleagues, peers, or professional organizations. Each nomination should include:
A selection panel appointed by the Professional Women’s Conference will review all nominations and announce the award recipient at the 5th Annual Professional Women's Conference in Sturgeon Bay. Anybody may nominate a woman they believe is deserving. Nominations will open later in the year; watch your email for an official announcement! |
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Student Registration - $65 The student ticket is for Thursday only and includes breakfast and lunch. Registration for members and non-members includes lunch and dinner on Wednesday + breakfast and lunch on Thursday. | Tentative Block Schedule You can expect to earn 12+ CEUs with sessions covering each of the four funeral director continuing education categories + OCI credits. (Note: Schedule is subject to change) Tuesday 4/28
Wednesday 4/29
Thursday 4/30
_________________________________________ Hotel Room Block: Registrants of the WFDA Professional Women's Conference will get a special room block rate of $109 at the Stone Harbor Resort in Sturgeon Bay. View website here. To book your room, call the front desk at 920-746-0700 and tell them you are with the WFDA Professional Women's Conference to get the discounted rate. |
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The Professional Women's Conference thrives off the support of our friends, partners, and sponsors. Each year we grow our conference to unprecedented heights through your generosity, and in return we continue to find new ways to include our supporters in our event! This year, we are including the following sponsorship opportunities: Vendor Showcase: The PWC will host its Exhibitor Showcase this year on March 11, 2027. Meet with our highly engaged funeral directors and business owners to network and form professional partnerships. Sponsorships: Not attending our conference but still want to support? We will have many giving opportunities available. Any amount helps! Raffle Donations: Each year, the Leadership Development Foundation hosts a fundraising raffle to support our Women's Conference. Interested in donating a raffle item or gift basket? Fill out our raffle donation form. Advertising: All exhibitors, sponsors, and donors will be recognized in web/printed materials and throughout our in-person event. Stay tuned for more information about registering as a sponsor or donating to the PWC! Questions about partnership? Email office@wfda.info or call (608) 256-1757. We can't wait to see you there! |
Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors and Supporters! |
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Check out our past Professional Women's Conferences