Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.

Join the 147th OFDA Convention & Exhibition from April 27-29, 2027, at Hilton Columbus at Easton, Columbus, Ohio, for a premier event focused on the funeral profession.
Dates
27–29 Apr 2027
City / country
Columbus, United States
Venue
Hilton Columbus at Easton
Are you the organiser of this event?
Event overview
The 147th OFDA Convention & Exhibition is set to take place from April 27-29, 2027, at the Hilton Columbus at Easton. This event serves as a vital platform for funeral professionals to engage in meaningful discussions and explore the future of the industry.
Attendees will benefit from educational sessions, networking opportunities, and insights into evolving practices in funeral service. OFDA Convention & Exhibition takes place in Columbus, United States.
Venue: Hilton Columbus at Easton.
TL;DR
Attendees will gain valuable insights into the latest trends in funeral service, network with industry peers, and participate in educational sessions designed to enhance their professional skills. Dates and Venue: The 147th OFDA Convention & Exhibition takes place from April 27-29, 2027, at Hilton Columbus at Easton, Columbus, Ohio. Scale and Focus: This event is a key gathering for funeral professionals, focusing on education and networking opportunities.
Exhibitors will have the chance to showcase their products and services to a targeted audience of funeral professionals, enhancing visibility and generating leads. Organiser: Hosted by the Ohio Funeral Directors Association (OFDA), a leading state association for funeral directors. Buyer Authority: Attendees include funeral directors and industry professionals seeking to enhance their services.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Columbus, United States
Hilton Columbus at Easton in Columbus typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: Hilton Columbus at Easton in Columbus typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at Hilton Columbus at Easton for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Who runs the show
Ohio Funeral Directors Association (OFDA)
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
Attending OFDA Convention & Exhibition on 2027-04-27 to 2027-04-29 in Columbus lets buyers and specifiers benchmark suppliers, see live demonstrations, and compress months of vendor meetings into one focused trade visit — worthwhile when your category roadmap aligns with the official exhibitor profile.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip

A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
Hilton Columbus at Easton
The convention venue hotel, so delegates can walk from room to session. Listed as eco-certified with breakfast (paid), free Wi-Fi, parking (paid), fitness center, restaurant and bar. Book early - the host property absorbs most of the block demand.
Hilton Garden Inn Columbus Easton
Closest off-site option and still walkable within the Easton complex. Free parking, free Wi-Fi, indoor pool and fitness center, breakfast charged. The value pick if the host hotel block is full.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Columbus Airport
All-suite property with free breakfast, free parking, indoor pool and fitness center. Sensible if you have an early departure or arrive late - you trade walkability for a short rideshare to the hall.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Columbus
All-suite format with free breakfast and free Wi-Fi, listed among the Easton-area options on hotel searches. Confirm the exact address before booking so you know whether you are walking or driving to the venue.
Easton district select-service cluster (midscale brands)
Hotel searches returned 48 properties for the Easton district; beyond the named full-service options there is a deep bench of midscale and select-service rooms within a short drive. Rates move sharply with Easton Town Center event weekends - book a cancellable rate early and recheck.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Walking
The host hotel and the neighbouring Easton properties share a walkable retail district, so delegates staying on-site or at Hilton Garden Inn Easton do not need a vehicle for the show day.
Rideshare (Uber / Lyft)
The usual option for delegates arriving at CMH. Follow the signed rideshare pickup zone outside the terminal rather than hailing at the taxi rank.
Taxi
Metered taxis queue at the terminal. Practical for small groups with luggage, and useful if rideshare surge pricing spikes during a busy arrival window.
COTA local bus
Columbus has no rail link to Easton, so the bus is the budget option but usually needs a transfer and considerably more time than a car. Check route numbers and timetables on the COTA app before relying on it for a session start.
Hotel self-parking
Overnight parking at the host hotel is chargeable. Guests at the Hilton Garden Inn Easton report free parking, which is worth weighing against the host hotel rate.
Easton Town Center public garages
Useful for day visitors driving in for the exhibit hall. Garages are shared with retail traffic, so weekend and evening sessions can mean circling for a space.
taxi
taxi
Weather
Late April is mid-spring in central Ohio. Daytime highs typically sit around 15-20 C (60-68 F) with overnight lows near 4-9 C (40-48 F), and rain showers or a passing thunderstorm are common. Temperatures swing noticeably between days, with warm afternoons followed by cool mornings. These are climatological bands rather than a forecast - check a local Columbus forecast within a week of travel and plan a layer plus a compact umbrella for the walk between Easton hotels and the meeting space.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
US carriers Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile provide strong 4G and 5G coverage across Columbus and the Easton district, including the hotel and venue area. Visitors on non-US SIMs should arrange a travel eSIM or an international roaming add-on before departure rather than buying at the airport. Hotel and venue Wi-Fi is normally available, but expect congestion in session rooms and on the exhibit floor at peak times, so download the schedule and any exhibitor lists in advance. Power is 120 V at 60 Hz on Type A and Type B plugs - UK and European devices need a plug adapter, and check voltage compatibility for anything without a dual-voltage supply.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Business dress and tone
Funeral service is a conservative, client-facing profession, and Ohio conventions reflect that: business dress or smart business casual, with jackets common among funeral home owners and supplier sales teams. Introductions are direct, first names are usual after the opening handshake, and small talk about firms and families is normal before commercial discussion.
Tipping and paying
US norms apply in Columbus: 18-20 percent on restaurant bills before tax, a dollar or two per drink at the bar, and a tip for hotel housekeeping. Card payment is accepted almost everywhere, including contactless, but carry some cash for tips and for garage or lot attendants.
Ohio licensing context
Funeral directing and embalming are licensed at state level in Ohio, and the firms exhibiting here sell to licensed practitioners. When a supplier asks about your licence, continuing education hours or firm size, that is standard qualification rather than idle curiosity - have the basics ready.
Evening hospitality
Supplier hospitality suites, association receptions and dinner invitations are a normal part of a state convention. Alcohol is widely available in Columbus restaurants and hotel bars; the legal drinking age is 21 and photo ID is checked. Business continues at these events, so treat them as part of the working day.
Getting around Easton
Easton Town Center is a large open-air retail and dining district rather than a dense downtown grid, with the hotel and meeting space embedded in it. Distances between the hotel, restaurants and shops are walkable but the site is spread out, so allow more time than the map suggests and expect evening crowds at weekends.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Sample searches for 27 April 2027 into John Glenn Columbus International (CMH) showed nonstop flights from New York JFK at about 2 hours 9 minutes, Los Angeles LAX at about 4 hours 31 minutes and Chicago ORD at about 1 hour 30 minutes, with ORD round trips sampled from USD 387 including taxes and fees. Google flagged prices on the sampled dates as currently high and suggested booking in the January-April window for LAX routes. CMH is the only sensible arrival point for Easton - Dayton and Cincinnati airports involve long road transfers. If you are travelling internationally, secure your ESTA or visa before locking a non-refundable fare, and recheck the confirmed convention dates on ofdaonline.org first.
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Use the nearest international airport serving Columbus; Metro, train or taxi links are typically available to the venue district.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Hilton Columbus at Easton: Easton (host venue hotel): Hilton Columbus at Easton; Easton: Hilton Garden Inn Columbus Easton; Airport corridor, roughly 5.8 km from the venue: Embassy Suites by Hilton Columbus Airport.
Ride-hail: Uber and Lyft both operate across Columbus and are the default ground option for delegates arriving at John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH). At the terminal, follow signs to the designated rideshare pickup area rather than hailing at the taxi rank. Approximate one-way fares to Easton district hotels run USD 20-35, but expect surge pricing during the morning arrival bank and when Easton Town Center is busy. For the return leg, request the car from the hotel lobby rather than the retail kerb, and allow a buffer before a flight since the airport is close but the surrounding roads congest. Confirm live fares in the app - rates vary by time and demand.
Public transit: Columbus has no metro or light-rail service to Easton, so rail is not an option for reaching the Hilton Columbus at Easton. COTA, the Central Ohio Transit Authority, runs the local bus network: fares are low (roughly USD 2.00 for a single ride, with day passes available) but airport-to-Easton journeys typically need a transfer and take considerably longer than a car. The bus is realistic for delegates staying in central Columbus who want to avoid parking, not for tight session timings with luggage. Check current route numbers, fares and timetables in the COTA app before travelling, and note that evening frequencies drop.
Parking: The Hilton Columbus at Easton has on-site parking, generally charged for overnight guests, and the surrounding Easton Town Center complex runs several public garages and surface lots: the East Garage on Chagrin Drive, the West Garage on Easton Loop West (open 24 hours), the Easton South Garage on Townsfair Way and Lot D on Easton Station. Many Easton lots are free with posted time limits, which makes them viable for day visitors driving to the exhibit hall. Confirm the hotel's current nightly parking rate at check-in, read garage signage for closing times and limits, and allow extra time on weekend afternoons when retail traffic fills the garages.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: April (mid-spring in central Ohio)
Temperature: Daytime highs typically around 15-20 C (60-68 F); overnight lows around 4-9 C (40-48 F). Approximate climatological band, not a forecast - confirm a local Columbus forecast within a week of travel.
Seasonality: Spring is the wettest stretch of the central Ohio year, with passing rain showers and occasional thunderstorms more likely than all-day downpours. Sun between showers can feel warm, then a cool front drops temperatures the next day. Snow is uncommon but not impossible in early April. Build a rain contingency into any plan that involves walking between Easton hotels, restaurants and the meeting space.
Packing: Pack layers rather than a heavy coat: a jacket or knit that works over business dress for cool mornings, removable by afternoon. Bring a compact umbrella or a light rain shell for the walk across the Easton complex, and water-resistant shoes for wet pavements. Add a charger and plug adapter for 120 V Type A/B outlets, and keep a light sweater for air-conditioned session rooms.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at OFDA Convention & Exhibition usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
14 days out - Confirm your registration category on ofdaonline.org and check whether your pass covers the exhibit hall, education sessions or both.
13 days out - Reserve a room inside the Easton complex (Hilton Columbus at Easton or Hilton Garden Inn Columbus Easton) so you can walk to sessions instead of driving.
12 days out - Open the published schedule at ofdaonline.org/schedule and mark the education sessions that support your Ohio continuing education needs.
11 days out - Book flights into John Glenn Columbus International (CMH) and note that airport-to-Easton ground time is short but traffic around Easton Town Center can add delay.
10 days out - Decide your ground plan: rideshare or taxi from CMH, or a rental car if you plan to visit suppliers or regional funeral homes around Columbus.
9 days out - Request approval for the trip budget from your firm, covering registration, education fees, two to three hotel nights and meals.
8 days out - Email suppliers you already buy from and ask which of their team will be on the floor, so meetings are scheduled rather than improvised.
7 days out - Print or download your badge confirmation and store it offline on your phone; venue mobile signal can be congested at peak arrival.
6 days out - Check the venue parking arrangements and whether your hotel charges for overnight self-parking.
5 days out - Prepare a one-page shopping list by category: caskets, urns, prep room consumables, software - with current contract renewal dates so you can compare terms on site.
4 days out - Pack business dress plus a layer for cool April mornings and a compact umbrella for spring showers.
3 days out - Confirm any dinner or reception invitations and check the dress expectation for evening association events.
2 days out - Charge devices, load the COTA and rideshare apps, and screenshot your hotel address for drivers unfamiliar with the Easton complex.
1 day out - Arrive the evening before if you have an early first session, collect your badge, and walk the route from your hotel to the meeting rooms.
Registration and hall orientation at Hilton Columbus at Easton
Supplier meetings and product demos
Final negotiations and follow-up
OFDA Convention & Exhibition registration concourse
Hilton Columbus at Easton
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
Hilton Columbus at Easton
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget

Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Decision
Use this quick check to decide whether OFDA Convention & Exhibition fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your primary role?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus aligns with the official product themes.
Best for
Buyers, researchers, and delegates evaluating the programme and networking value.
Min. budget
$400.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration and travel.
Risks
Limited session times published - confirm agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a clear lead-generation or launch goal for this market.
Best for
Suppliers and brands seeking qualified meetings with the event audience.
Min. budget
$2,500.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, and marketing prep.
Risks
Booth pricing not published in captured sources - confirm with organiser.
skip
Programme, audience, or commercial goals do not match your plan.
Best for
Teams whose category or region fit is weak this edition.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
No major risks listed.
Gallery
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.