The 2026 NAPPS Conference has been announced! We are scheduled to have the opportunity to meet again in Raleigh, NC to Ignite & Inspire – Shaping the Future of Your Business and Beyond! Industry based conferences are so important for the growth of your business! It is the perfect opportunity to connect with others in the pet care industry, to get inspired with new ways to grow your business, and to to build relationships that can last a lifetime. 80% of professionals have found that being able to network and connect with others have been critical to their business success. According to a study by Forbes, 85% of professionals find in-person conferences to be a meaningful way to connect with others and build stronger relationships. In addition, the opportunity to network is not only with other professionals doing what you do, but with potential customers too! 

So what does this mean for you & your business? 

It means you should join us at the 2026 NAPPS Conference for two powerful days to be able to learn, innovate, connect, and get inspired. 

As an organization filled with pet professionals since 1989, we understand that funds can be tight at times. So we want to share a few tips for you to be able to plan ahead in order to make this trip to Raleigh, NC attainable and less stressful. Being able to budget and make this conference for your pet business is crucial for your professional growth. Even pet care business coach and growth strategist Michelle Kline emphasizes this point in her podcast episode, Invest 10% of Revenue into Yourself, where she encourages business owners to dedicate 10% of their revenue to personal and professional development. This kind of investment helps you stay on top of industry trends, discover new opportunities, and continue growing as a leader.

Know the Costs You’ll Need to Cover

When setting a budget, you first need to understand what your costs are. For the NAPPS conference, you need to consider the following expenses: 

• Registration fee 

• Travel (flights, gas, mileage)

• Lodging 

  • Pro Tip: Ask other pet professionals that are going to the conference and see if you guys could split an AirBnb or hotel room. This will help split costs. 

• Meals 

  • Pro Tip: If you’re driving, consider packing groceries to make meals with. Most hotels have fridges and microwaves. If you rent an AirBnb, you can utilize a full kitchen. 

Set a Savings Goal

After tallying up your expected expenses, be sure to include a cushion for any unexpected costs. Once you have your total, break it down into manageable weekly or monthly savings goals between now and the conference. To make saving easier, consider automating your contributions and setting up a dedicated "Conference Fund." Many banks allow you to create labeled savings buckets, or you can open a separate savings account to stay organized and on track. For extra guidance, we recommend Broke Millennial by Erin Lowry—a practical and engaging read full of smart saving strategies that are helpful no matter your age.

If you earn tips from your clients, put those in your Conference Fund. If you get a last minute booking, contribute those additional funds towards the Conference Fund. Able to skip grabbing a coffee or lunch for a day? Add the money you would have spent towards the Conference Fund!

Talk To Your Accountant

While budgeting and saving for the conference, chat with your accountant. If you do not have one, Tiny Paws Bookkeeping has helped loads of other pet professionals within the NAPPS organization. Your accountant will be able to help share possible tax-deductible opportunities for attending industry related conferences. They should also be able to recommend ways for you to track your spending records while joining us for the NAPPS 2026 Conference in Raleigh, NC from February 27 to March 1, 2026. 

By attending the conference, it’ll be the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow professionals in the pet care industry, gain fresh inspiration to grow your business, and build lasting relationships that support your success for years to come. Take the first step now by starting that Conference Fund and registering for the 2026 Ignite & Inspire Conference. 

Your future self will thank you! 

https://www.apollotechnical.com/networking-statistics/

Kylie Holliman