National Association of Professional Pet Sitters
The ONLY national non-profit organization for professional pet sitters.
NAPPS 2026 Conference: Ignite & Inspire – Shaping the Future of Your Business and Beyond Venue: The Stockroom at 230
Join the NAPPS community in Raleigh for two powerful days of connection, growth, and inspiration! The 2026 Conference is your chance to come together with fellow professionals who share your passion for excellence in pet care and small business success. This year’s theme, Ignite & Inspire, celebrates the power of community to drive innovation, leadership, and positive change in the pet services industry — and beyond. Save the date and get ready to reconnect, recharge, and reimagine the future — together.
Member Registration Rate: $367.00 Non-Member Registration Rate: $427.00
Hotel Accommodations Planning to stay overnight? A limited block of rooms has been reserved at the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel for our event attendees at a special group rate of $189.00 per night. Reservation Deadline: Monday, January 26, 2026 To book your room, use the reservation link here, or call Sheraton Central Reservations at 1-800-325-3535 and mention the Mini Hotel Code: NAP. We recommend booking early, as space is limited! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm ETRegistration Open ~ Networking & Exhibit Time
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm ETKeynote Address Speaker: Alex Dumas, Bestselling Author/Global Movement Leader
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm ETWelcome Reception (Hors d'oeuvres & Cash Bar)
8:00 am ETRegistration Open/Networking & Exhibit Time
8:30 am – 8:45 am ET
President’s Welcome NAPPS President: Gary Cimmino, Get Gary Pet Care
8:45 am - 9:45 am ETFrom Burnout to Breakthrough: Rediscovering Your Spark as a Business Owner Speaker: Sherida Haughton, Haughton Business Solutions Pet care isn’t only animals—it’s leading people, clients, and yourself. In this energizing session, Sherida shares real-talk tools to cut clutter, lead with confidence, and rekindle your spark. Make small daily shifts for big wins, stronger client relationships, and saner schedules—so your business thrives, and you stay energized.
10:00 am – 11:00 am ETNetworking That Works: How Pet Sitters Can Stand Out and Connect Speaker: Kevin Johnson, Planet Paws Pet Care This session will give pet sitters the tools to network with confidence and purpose. Attendees will learn how to identify their unique selling proposition, craft a memorable 60-second introduction, and start conversations that build real connections. This talk focuses on authentic, relationship-based networking that leads to referrals and long-term business growth. Ideal for pet sitters looking to grow their visibility and make meaningful connections in their communities and the industry.
11:00 am – 11:30 am ETBreak
11:30 am – 12:30 pm ETUnleashing the Power of Nutrition for Dogs Speaker: Jennifer Carter, Harness Canicular LLC This session will highlight how proper nutrition can transform a dog's health, energy, and overall well-being. Jennifer Carter will share science-backed tips on balanced diets, common food myths, and the impact of tailored feeding. Learning to recognize the signs of a healthy and unhealthy dog, and asking the right nutritional questions, will empower attendees to help clients enhance their dogs' vitality through more informed and intelligent nutrition choices. 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm ETLunch & Learn! From Fear to Trust: Achieving Desired Behaviors While Building Bonds Speaker: Melissa Spooner-Raymond, LVT, VTS (Behavior), BS, KPA-CTP, TAGteach Level One, Elite FFCP-V, Fear Free, LLC Lunch is on Fear Free - learning's on you! Learn how to transform everyday interactions with pets from moments of uncertainty to opportunities for trust and connection. 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm ETACE FREE WORK - Enrichment with a Purpose Speaker: Jeanne Crockett, Crockett's Critter Care ACE Free Work helps pets slow down, explore, and show us who they really are. In this session, you’ll learn how pet sitters and dog walkers can use this powerful approach to understand pets better, reduce stress, and add a meaningful new service to your visits. 3:15 pm – 4:15 pm ETNot Every Pet is a Good Fit: Client Compatibility and the Power of Saying No Speaker: Kelly Winter, Palm Coast Petsitters LLC Not every pet—or their human—is the right fit for your business. This session shows you how to evaluate client compatibility, identify red flags, and professionally say “no” when needed. Protect your safety, reputation, and peace of mind while building a clientele that’s the right match for your business. 7:30 am ETNetworking and Exhibit Time
8:15 am – 9:30 am ETPet Memorial This time together is dedicated to remembering and celebrating their lives, sharing the joy they brought, and holding space for the grief of their loss. Whether through stories, photos, or quiet reflection, we come together as a community to acknowledge the deep bonds we share with the animals who will always remain in our hearts.
10:30 am – 11:30 am ETSpot the Gap: How to Dominate Your Market Michelle Kline, DogCo Launch In this session, DogCo Launch Founder Michelle Kline will lead a session on how to position your company to dominate your local market by finding your window of opportunity - or, 'spotting the gap'.
11:45 am - 12:30 pm ETStrategic Planning for Pet Sitter Business Success:Crafting Your Mission, Vision, and Values Roxanne Dockter, Pet Nation Omaha LLC This session is designed to guide pet sitter business professionals through the foundational elements of strategic planning. Attendees will learn how to craft a meaningful mission statement, envision their business's future through a clear vision, and define core values that reflect their unique approach to pet care. By the end of the session, participants will walk away with actionable steps to strengthen their brand identity and align daily operations with long-term goals.'
12:30 pm – 2:00 pm ETLunch On Own
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm ETSmall Business Digital Marketing: How to Create Content With Intention and Impact Kristen Taylor, Ignite Social Media Learn how to create digital content that connects and converts. This session explores intentional strategies for small businesses to build brand awareness, foster community, and drive measurable impact through social media.
3:15 pm – 4:15 pm ETStrategic AF: Turning Chaos into Clarity (Analytical & Focused Leadership for Business Owners) Rolonda Hernandez, Award-Winning Executive | Systems Strategist | Transformational Speaker As the closing keynote speaker, Rolonda Hernandez delivers an energizing message on transforming overwhelm into structure. Through her Strategic AFTM (Analytical & Focused) framework, she empowers entrepreneurs to shift their thinking, align their operations, and lead with clarity. Attendees will leave recharged, confident, and ready to execute strategically.
4:30 pm – 4:45 pm ETClosing Remarks  Alex DumasWhen confidence rises, so do communication, collaboration, and creativity, resulting in higher engagement and the retention of top talent. Through his keynotes, books, podcasts, and leadership programs, clients utilize confidence as their secret weapon to drive performance and lasting growth. For mission-driven companies seeking to unlock the untapped potential of their emerging leaders, Alex Dumas is the leading expert to help drive long-lasting organizational growth.  Sherida Haughton, Haughton Business SolutionsSherida Haughton is a keynote speaker and leadership facilitator who helps leaders in complex systems cut through clutter and lead with clarity. A state government leader and corporate trainer, she created the JELLA BEAN framework—real-talk, evidence-based tools that turn small shifts into big wins audiences can apply.  Kevin Johnson, Planet Paws Pet CareKevin Johnson is the owner of Planet Paws Pet Care in Clinton Township, Michigan. A NAPPS and Fear Free Certified pet sitter, he left a 20-year legal career to follow his passion for animals. Outside of pet care, Kevin enjoys boxing, motorcycle rides, and wearing screen-accurate Star Wars costumes to comic cons.  Melissa Spooner-Raymond, LVT, VTS (Behavior), BS, KPA-CTP, TAGteach Level One, Elite FFCP-V, Fear Free, LLCMelissa is a passionate and skilled professional with a rich background in the animal care industry. Her experience spans general veterinary medicine, behavioral specialty medicine, and nonprofit organizations, where she has held a variety of roles supporting pets and their people.  Jennifer Carter, Harness Canicular LLCJennifer Carter brings a powerhouse blend of science, skill, and hands-on experience to the world of canine care. Jennifer, a certified canine nutritionist, holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological and Animal Science, as well as two master’s degrees. With a rare combination of academic excellence and real-world application, Jennifer is uniquely qualified to offer expert advice to dog lovers who want the very best for their four-legged companions.  Jeanne Crockett, Crockett's Critter CareJeanne Crockett owns Crockett’s Critter Care in New Bern, NC. She’s a Fear Free Elite Certified Professional, Certified Professional Pet Sitter, and the first ACE Free Work Trainer in North Carolina. Jeanne blends enrichment, observation, and heart to help pets feel safe, calm, and understood—whether walking dogs or teaching others.  Kelly Winter, Palm Coast Petsitters LLCWith 20+ years of animal care experience, Kelly Winter, CPPS, is the owner of Palm Coast Pet Sitters LLC, a top-rated pet care business in her community. Kelly prioritizes preserving a safe and sustainable business, while maintaining the highest standards of care and lending her expertise to help others.  Michelle Kline, DogCo LaunchMichelle Kline is the founder of DogCo Launch - a place where pet care business owners grow and scale. Michelle comes from her own experience in the pet care industry where she grew a 25-person dog walking company during the pandemic, and now helps pet care business owners grow thriving businesses.  Roxanne Dockter, Pet Nation Omaha LLCRoxanne Dockter combines over two decades of corporate professional experience with a deep passion for animals, establishing herself as a leading authority in pet care, feline behavior, and management. As a certified pet sitter and feline behavior educator, she also serves as the Midwest Pet Sitter Affiliates Information Technology Officer and a Pet CPR First AID Certified Instructor. Roxanne is committed to fostering stronger human-animal bonds and empowering owners through compassionate, high-quality care and proven business practices.  Kristen Taylor, Ignite Social MediaKristen Taylor is a Community Manager at Ignite Social Media with over a decade of experience in social and digital marketing. She has helped brands, small businesses, and animal rescue organizations grow their online presence, strengthen community engagement, and make a meaningful impact through social media.  Rolanda Hernandez, Award-Winning Executive | Systems Strategist | Transformational SpeakerRolonda Hernandez is an award-winning executive strategist, entrepreneur, and SCORE Raleigh Chair who transforms complexity into clarity. As founder of Advance Wake and creator of the Strategic AFTM (Analytical & Focused) Experience, she helps leaders simplify systems, strengthen strategy, and build businesses that run as smoothly as the owners deserve. |
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