Thank you for joining us at the NAPPS Conference 2024 in Savannah, Georgia, where we kicked off Professional Pet Sitters Week in style at the Ballroom on Bull St., American Legion Post 135! It was an incredible three days filled with education, inspiration, and networking opportunities tailored to the needs of pet care professionals like you with a full house of NAPPS Members from all around the USA. Many attendees took advantage of the beautiful location for a work- leisure trip and stuffed themselves with amazing foods like Ramen, Pimento Cheese, and yes, of course the local Coffee Shop Delicacies and Caffeine all while taking in the sights of  Ghost Tours + Cemeteries, Ferries, Basilica of St John, the Birthplace of Girl Scouts, Museums and even other conferences occurring- like one right across from us for Librarians!

Throughout the conference, we brought together industry leaders and experts to share their insights on a wide range of topics, from marketing and business strategies to client communication and animal behavior. We hope you found these sessions both informative and thought-provoking, sparking conversations that will continue long after the conference concludes. Fan favorites included our furry attendees from Renegade Paw Rescue- which was our spotlight rescue for our 2024 conference, where some attendees even did some Doggie Dates out with some of their local pups and took them out on the town for mental stimulation and adventure!

Friday Night Lights: Igniting Inspiration at the Conference Kickoff

Friday night set the tone with appetizers, a cash bar, and a keynote address by Isabel Alvarez Arata from Covered in Pet Hair, LLC, setting the stage for an exciting weekend ahead. Many members headed off to group dinners around the stunning city- walking and taking in the sites of Forsythe Park on the way.

Savanna Saturday: A Day of Learning and Networking at the Pet Sitter Conference

Saturday was packed with valuable sessions, including Michelle Kline's deep dive into marketing and strategies to grow your daily dog walking client base. Anne-Marie Kaden enlightened us on the importance of understanding our numbers, while Morgan Weber guided us through the emotional aspects of caregiving and supporting clients through the loss of pets. Lennox Armstrong's Lunch & Learn session provided insights into canine body language, essential for building strong relationships with our furry clients while attendees chomped away on Southern Classics like Chicken Salad Sandwiches, and your Grandmothers Sweet Tea! Janie Budnick introduced us to the world of automation in pet businesses, and Amber Van Denzen discussed the benefits of diversifying revenue streams through mobile pet services. Doug Keeling wrapped up the day with essential tips on building the perfect pet sitting team.

Blooming Brilliance: A Sunday Success

Sunday started with networking opportunities and exhibitor time, followed by Lauri Partanio's session on mastering effective client communication. A Q+A session lead by Lennox Armstrong offered valuable insights, while Marcy Santos shared strategies for raising rates without losing loyalty had the room nodding their heads in agreement and excitement! Skarlet Rockwood closed out the conference with a game-changing presentation on planning 30 days of client-attracting content in just one hour- which there wasn't a relaxed hand in sight. Finally, Isabel Alvarez Arata returned for the closing remarks, leaving us inspired and ready to take our pet businesses to new heights, and to truely BLOOM & GROW.

As we bid farewell to the NAPPS Conference 2024, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all attendees, speakers, sponsors, and volunteers who made this event possible. Your dedication to professionalism, education, and community within the pet care industry is truly commendable, and we look forward to seeing you again next year.

Until then, let's continue to learn, grow, and support each other in our shared passion for pets.

Amber Van Denzen is a member of NAPPS, Founder of Atta Boy! Animal Care, Atta Boy! Mobile Dog Gym, Pet Sitter CEO and is the current President of FPSA. She is a dually Certified Professional Pet Sitter, FetchFind Certified, a retired Veterinary Nurse of 13 years, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Animal Sciences. She lives with her 2 dogs, 15 chickens, 3 fish aquariums, 2 geckos, 3 turtles and 2 hermit crabs with her human family in Lakeland, Florida. Amber also posts YouTube videos for other pet professionals here.