A few weeks ago, I returned from the 2022 NAPO Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. It is the 12th conference I’ve gone to since joining NAPO back in 2002. It’s a time to learn, a time to connect with colleagues and make new connections, and a time to disconnect for a few days from a sometimes hectic #momlife.
It’s been three years since NAPO gathered in person for a conference. I had the privilege of attending in Dallas/Fort Worth in 2019. And in the short time I was there, I observed that yes–everything is bigger in Texas…
Then we all know what happened.
Just as I was getting psyched to join my organizing colleagues in the ‘Happiest Place on Earth’–ORLANDO in 2020, the world shut down and our conference was cancelled.
In 2021, our NAPO Conference Committee did an extraordinary job of creating and executing a virtual conference. Some of the benefits of the virtual conference were that you didn’t have to spend time and money traveling and you only had to look professional from the waist up (thank you, yoga pants). Some of the drawbacks of the virtual conference were not being able to connect in person with colleagues and the challenges of reminding my family that although I was physically in our house–please pretend that I’m not unless absolutely necessary…
The big question was–would we be able to safely hold a conference in 2022 and where would it be? The answer turned out to be YES and the location–drum roll, please–was Baltimore, Maryland. I got very excited–I can easily drive there from New Jersey! I did it when the conference was hosted there in 2012 (the only conferences I’ve been close enough to drive to).
Now, truth be told, I was a little nervous about going to the conference. I had spent the last two years in my house and wearing a mask when out in public. I had only eaten in a restaurant twice and I had not been in a client’s home since March 2020 (three cheers for Virtual Organizing!). I was definitely stepping waaaaay out of my two-year-long comfort zone.
I decided to play it safe by driving (avoiding public transportation), packing a few masks (I bought a purple one to match my Organized Artistry purple brand color) and wearing them except for when eating. I’m so glad I did and I’m so glad I went. I came home healthy and filled with organizing knowledge!
There are usually six workshops (in addition to other learning opportunities) throughout the three day conference with five choices in each time slot–something for everyone!
Here are the workshops I selected and my biggest takeaway(s) from each one:
How to Diversify and Increase Your Income with Ten Different Revenue Streams
The speaker for this workshop was Cassandra Aarssen of HGTV’s Hot Mess House. It was a packed room and her workshop was jam-packed with ideas for creating passive income based on our skills, interests, and how much time we wished to spend on it.
Biggest Takeaway:Cas advised us to think about the different income streams she presented. Which one or ones resonated with us? Devote yourself to trying them one at a time and add each revenue stream like ‘bricks.’ That’s how you ‘build’ passive income…
The Proven Formula for Using Free Webinars to Build Your Business
Alan P. Brown is a productivity/business coach and TEDx Talk speaker who shared everything we needed to know for conceiving, creating, and marketing a webinar to grow our businesses. Developing a webinar for my business is on my list of things to consider for the future so I thought I’d check out his workshop. I’m not sure I stopped taking notes for the entire ninety-minutes. All I’ll have to do is apply some thought to his Webinar Formula and the gobs of easy-to-follow information, tips, and advice he gave us and I’ll have a bouncing baby webinar in no time!
Biggest Takeaway: The title and subtitle of your webinar is critical to attracting people to sign up for it. Put time and thought into formulating it–use ‘pain and gain’ points to elicit emotion. And, thanks for the *freebie* bonuses, Alan!
Learn to Love Linkedin
NAPO member, Kathy Vines took us on a guided journey through Linkedin and how we can enjoy the platform and become efficient power users. Not only did she do that, she also gave us tips and helpful hints for ‘beefing up’ our profile and connecting on the platform. I had been neglecting Linkedin for a while, but this class inspired me to carve out some time in the early morning after my kids have left for school to become more active on the platform.
Biggest Takeaway: The best days and times to post on Linkedin? Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday between 8am-10am. Don’t ‘post and ghost!’ Stay on the platform and engage.
Power Up with Facebook Groups
I am a member of a few Facebook groups and love what they’ve had to offer. On my ‘work’ bucket list is to think about creating a Facebook Group for readers of my book, The Organized Bride’s Thank You Note Handbook. It’s barely in the ‘idea’ phase but I thought taking this class would give me some insight as to what is involved in creating and maintaining a Facebook Group. NAPO member, Melynda Weiland broke it down into easily digestible and manageable chunks of information (that’s what organizers do!) so any one of us could start a Facebook Group without pulling our hair out from frustration…
Biggest Takeaway: Facebook loves GROUPS more than it loves PAGES! Someone with a Facebook Page and a Facebook Group gets more visibility via the algorithm.
Profitable Marketing
I’ve been in business almost twenty years but could always use a refresher course when it comes to marketing. Our speaker, Victoria Cook is no stranger to NAPO conferences–I’ve heard her speak on the topic of marketing before. She offered us a process for building a marketing machine for our businesses that attracts new prospects and keeps clients engaged with our products and services.
Biggest Takeaway: The Golden Triangle of Marketing (I call it the 3M’s): Market (Who is your market?) Message (How will you let them know you have the solution to their problem?) and Media (Where will you put your message so they can see it?).
Keys to Confident Growth: How to Create a Business that Stands Out
It’s never easy to be a speaker in the last workshop time slot of a conference. Most attendees are a bit tired and half of us have checked out of our hotel rooms and are babysitting our luggage during the session. The very energetic Ken Olan, co-founder of ExactMade and a NAPO Strategic Business Partner gave us the framework and the motivation to reach for the idea of ‘Continuous Improvement’ in our businesses.
Biggest Takeaway(s): 1) Consistent effort will move you forward 2) Don’t underestimate the value of what we bring to our clients 3) Patience + Action = Perseverance
And during our Opening Keynote address, I learned how to create a QR Code for my Linkedin profile! Go ahead–use your phone to scan it and let’s connect!
I got to meet members of my Authorship and Publishing Special Interest Group in person. We’ve been speaking to each other for years via conference call and recently via Zoom. We had a lovely gathering–it was wonderful to spend time with a group of people who enjoy writing as much as I do.
I think it was the NAPO Conference in Pittsburgh where a tradition of setting up a community coloring table first started. It’s a coloring party and everyone is invited! I’ve indulged in the allure of the paper and magic markers at past conferences but for some reason, I never made it to the one in Baltimore. It’s a wonderful way to meet other organizers and chat them up while coloring any stress you may have away. I must make the coloring table a priority at the next conference I attend!
At the Closing Event & NAPO 2023 Kick-Off, we found out that next year’s conference will be in LAS VEGAS! I’m not sure if I’ll attend–it’s a big year of milestone events for my kids occurring around the same time of the conference. And, I’m not great with jet-lag either. I’ve only been to one NAPO Conference out west–Los Angeles in 2015. We’ll see how the year goes. Maybe I’ll roll the dice and take a chance on NAPO 2023!
I recently returned from the 2019 NAPO Conference held this year in Fort Worth, Texas. I always enjoy the conference–I get to take workshops, meet new Professional Organizers and reconnect with ones I haven’t seen in a while. The latest organizing products from NAPO’s business partners are on display and stepping away from my everyday responsibilities for a few days helps to ‘recharge my battery.’ The theme of this year’s conference was ‘Education is Bigger in Texas.’ Even my hotel room was big. It was so large, I could cartwheel through it. Not that I did–I’m just sayin’–everything is bigger in Texas…
As silly as it may sound, one of the things I look forward to at the NAPO Conference is the conference bag that’s given out every year. I have a nice collection of them by now running the gamut from a lovely red handbag-like tote (Lillian Vernon – Chicago 2004) to an amorphous recycle bag (New Orleans 2013) to a bag with a zippered top and water bottle/holder (Chicago 2018). I use the conference bag I received at the Orlando conference (2009) as the work bag I take to my client’s homes.
It’s important to me that everything I need to drag around with me during the day fits in the conference bag. After the not-so-fab New Orleans conference bag, I started packing an old conference tote (Minneapolis 2007) with me in case I didn’t like the conference bag been given out. But, this year, I did not pack the Minneapolis tote…
The night before I left for the NAPO Conference, I was thrilled to see that someone had posted a picture of this year’s conference bag on Facebook.
I was happy to see that it had contrasting colors and a little button closure–cute! It was roomy without being too big.
But, there are times when a bag can be too big and become a black hole for everything they’re carrying. When you’re at a conference, you need to use your brain power for learning and networking–not for searching and worrying about where all of your stuff is. You don’t have time to send a search party out to find your business cards and hotel room key!
If you or a friend, family member, or colleague are attending a conference in the future, here are 5 tips for keeping your conference bag organized so you’ll always be able to find what you need when you need it.
Tip #1 SORT
What items do you think you’ll want handy the day of the conference? Gather them and place them on a surface in front of you–couch, bed, desk, kitchen island–whatever works…
Then, take those items and sort them into categories such as electronics, items you’ll need to access quickly, note taking items, and most important–SNACKS!
Tip #2 CONTAINERIZE
Now that you’ve categorized your stuff, it’s time to put them in their own containers so they’re not floating around the bottom of your conference bag (eliminating the need for that search party mentioned above…) Pack a few pouches and small/medium/large Ziploc bags for this purpose. The size of the pouches and baggies are dependent upon the items you plan to carry in your conference bag.
I kept my necessities in here–phone, business cards, lip balm, pens, hotel room key.
Tip #3 RETURN ITEMS TO THEIR ‘HOME’
Conferences can be non-stop learning and networking events. You might feel rushed during your conference day and tired at night but it’s important for you to take the time to put items back in their baggies and pouches after using them. This will save you time later in the day and the next morning when you need to access your phone charger or hand someone your business card.
Tip #4 MAKE IT YOUR OWN
Whether there are fifty or six hundred and fifty conference attendees, almost everyone will be carrying the same conference bag. You’ll want to ensure that no one accidentally walks away with yours thinking it’s theirs! Make it stand out with a large pin, decorative ribbon, or brightly-colored scarf that no other bag will have. You’ll always know which bag is yours!
Since I saw a preview on Facebook of what the conference bag looked like, I packed a color-coordinating scarf to tie around the handle. I always knew which conference bag was mine!
Tip #5 PURGE
Purge your conference bag at the end of the day of items you no longer need–used tissues, energy bar wrappers, and the free swag you couldn’t resist putting in your bag. Getting rid of what you no longer need makes room for the items you will need the next day.
If you’re a visual person like me, click on my YouTube video below to see the 5 steps and get a sneak peek at this year’s NAPO Conference bag:
These 5 tips are going to ensure you have the most organized bag at your next conference–I guarantee it!
Are you heading to a conference soon? What item would you need most in your conference bag?
I just had the opportunity to attend the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) Annual Conference in Los Angeles, CA (can you imagine 600+ Professional Organizers in one place at one time?). Since my first conference back in 2004, I’ve stuck to the east coast and midwest locations. Jet lag is not my best friend but this year, I decided to not let that stop me. I heard the whispers…
“Go west, young lady!”
And so I did! Off to the 2015 NAPO Conference in sunny Los Angeles I went. And besides looking forward to learning and networking, I was looking forward to that California sun. The winter here in NJ was long and dreary and I needed some natural Vitamin D to jumpstart my body for Spring. The five hour flight provided me with time to indulge in a novel–what a ‘novel’ idea since most books I have read lately have to do with my business, my kids, or health. If you’d like to read a great book, try Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier.
This year, my Conference experience was a bit different. With two kids at home, it’s not easy to get away for an extended period of time. I usually get to the Conference as soon as it begins and leave as it’s ending. This year, I flew in the afternoon before and stayed an extra day to visit with my cousin. Took the red-eye flight and was home before 8am. Shout-out to my hubby for ‘holding down the fort’ so I could grow in my career and visit with family in L.A..
Also different about this year’s Conference: my book. I belong to a NAPO Special Interest Group (SIG) for people who are or wish to be authors. This year at our EXPO/Marketplace, our SIG had a bookstore and I jumped at the opportunity to sell my book, The Organized Bride’s Thank You Note Handbook in the bookstore along with more than twenty of my PO/Author colleagues. Besides having my book on display for purchase, I had a book signing which was a ton of fun. I signed books while wearing a tiara and veil–it definitely drew people to my table!
The Organized Bride’s Thank You Note Handbook
NAPO EXPO Authorship & Publishing Bookstore
Me (in the tiara and veil) and the first person to buy my book–she’s just got engaged!
The EXPO/Marketplace was abuzz with large and small companies showing off their organizing wares to the attendees. Some of the booths I found to have interesting products were: Forever, Time Timer, and of course–Pendaflex which gave out a bountiful goody bag to everyone who walked by. Who could resist?
The NAPO Conference is always chock full of interesting workshops. This year, I took classes in Virtual Organizing, Branding, Digital Photo Organizing, YouTube Video Marketing, and Using Technology to Increase Productivity. Learned a few things I didn’t know in an Evernote workshop, too. There was an ‘Ask the Business Organizer’ panel and an Opening and Closing Keynote. The Opening Keynote was done by two guys who call themselves ‘The Minimalists.’ If you haven’t read their blog and their back story (which was fascinating) check out The Minimalist’s website.
The Minimalists giving the Opening Keynote address at the 2015 NAPO Conference in Los Angeles
This has very little to do with organizing but I felt the need to snap a picture of this yummy dessert we were served at our last lunch of the Conference.. And yes, it was as good as it looks…
Mmmmm….
After three days of workshops, networking, and noshing it was time to leave the Westin Bonaventure and meet up with my cousin who is a life-long resident of Los Angeles. We had about 24 hours together and I got to see the highlights of L.A. including a quick trip to a beautiful place I must get back to someday–The Getty Museum.
Me visiting The Getty Museum
The day I returned from the NAPO Conference, my son was on Spring Break. This week I’ve been catching up with organizing appointments and meeting with prospective clients. Next week, I’ll be focusing on what I learned in the classes I took at the NAPO Conference and bit by bit will be incorporating the knowledge into my business. I’ve already got my sights set on attending the NAPO Conference in Atlanta in 2016. No jet-lag worries! Can’t wait–it should be just peachy…
Have you ever packed your suitcase and opened it later to find a mess? I’m talking about shampoo-spilled-all-over-your-clothes mess. How about a body lotion explosion?
Regardless of what can open, spill, or explode, the last thing you want to do when you arrive at your destination or get home from a trip is deal with messy laundry and cleaning your suitcase.
If you’re traveling by plane, train, or automobile in the near future, you’re going to want to take a close look at these…
Today’s Cool Product is: Nalgene Leakproof Bottles
Nalgene Round Leakproof Bottles
I first spotted Nalgene leak-proof bottles in the Travel section of the The Container Store. I bought a few to try–filled them with my bath gel, shampoo and moisturizer and took them on a trip. To my surprise, I arrived at my destination with no leaky bottles in my suitcase. Success! I bought more and have relied on them for peace of mind, ‘clean’ and easy travel ever since.
Besides different shaped bottles, Nalgene makes jars, too. I use jars for items with a thicker consistency such as diaper rash cream and my nighttime moisturizer. An example:
Nalgene Leakproof Jars
The bottles and jars come in different sizes but the 1 oz. and 2 oz sizes work best for airline travel.
I keep a few extra Nalgene leak-proof bottles and jars in my linen closet for when I need one at the last minute. No more running to the store before a vacation!
Now that I have two kids, I don’t go away often. But when I do, I take my “I’m-ready-to-leave-the-house-at-a-moment’s-notice” bag off the shelf. It has almost everything I need for a quick getaway–most of my toiletries are in Nalgene bottles labeled across the outside.
Which reminds me: Don’t forget to label these bottles once you’ve filled them. You don’t want to accidentally wash your hair with your face moisturizer… Use a label maker or removable labels by Avery. Blue painter’s tape and a Sharpie will work, too if pressed for time. You don’t want to miss your flight!
I love Nalgene bottles so much, I included them in one of my Container Store Haul videos on my YouTube channel! To watch it, click below.
If you’re planning to visit family or a far away country, get yourself a few Nalgene Leakproof Bottles and Jars. When you get back from your trip, I want to hear all about your adventures and your clean suitcase!
If you’re going away for more than a night, you’ll appreciate this week’s tip. Hint: it has to do with footwear…
Wishing you safe and organized travel!
About This Blog
A blog by Professional Organizer Stacey Agin Murray bursting with cool products, 'gotta-tell-a-friend' ideas, and a whole lotta organizing know-how. Learn more...
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About Stacey
When you grow up in a 5’x12′ bedroom, you learn to organize pretty quickly! I chose to take that knowledge and turn it into a business helping people find what they need when they need it. I’m also the author of The Organized Bride’s Thank You Note Handbook–a book that offers wedding thank you note-related organizing tips and how-to’s plus 101 unique sample thank you notes (what bride can’t use that?).
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