It’s a Sunday afternoon, and I am on the plane headed home. As always, there is a safety video playing with detailed instructions about how to operate your seat belt, the importance of identifying the closest exit (“keeping in mind that the closest exit may be behind you”), and how to find an inflatable lifejacket in the unlikely event of an emergency. Since my husband and I love to travel, I have watched this video and listened to this message countless times. But today I am particularly inspired by one of the opening lines of the video. “At Delta, we believe a good trip is not about the destination, but about the people you meet along the way.” I couldn’t agree more.

The destination for this weekend trip was a retreat center in St. Charles, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. The facility was great: plentiful meeting rooms that were clean and well-maintained, scenic hiking trails nearby, friendly and professional staff, and delicious food available just about anytime. Yes, the Q Center was nice. But the people? Oh, the people I “met along the way” were truly outstanding.  

You see, this was my first NAPO Conference. NAPO, the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals, is an organization composed of thousands of people from all areas of the United States (and a few other countries) whose work involves helping people organize their belongings, their time, and their lives. As a new organizer (I started my business, Shipshape Solutions, in August 2016), I was eager to attend my first conference. I knew that the class sessions would give me information vital to increasing my knowledge and skills as an organizer. But I’ll have to admit that I was also a bit apprehensive. After all, many of the organizers attending were seasoned veterans. Having read books, listened to podcasts, and followed email and social media discussions about organizing, I was anticipating meeting some of the “rock stars” of the organizing world and hoping I wouldn’t appear so “green” as to be laughable. Because I don’t live close enough to attend a local NAPO chapter meeting, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to count on having a friend to sit with in the dining room or during sessions. I envisioned a scenario not unlike the junior high school cafeteria, when I would nervously walk away from the cash register with my tray, hoping and praying that I could find a seat at one of the “cool” tables.

After checking into my room, it was time to head down to the conference. According to the schedule, it was time for lunch. Oh, great. I’d have to start with the dreaded cafeteria scene. I got my food and started that slow walk. “Look for a smiling face,” I thought, “and just hope for the best.” Since most every person was smiling, I just randomly chose a table, sat down, and introduced myself. By the end of lunch, I knew that it was all going to be ok. Without fail, every single person at the lunch table that day was friendly, encouraging, and eager to make me feel welcome.

Once the sessions began, the rest of the weekend was pretty much nonstop. Every presentation was of top notch quality, and I learned so much valuable information. My eyes were opened to the vast opportunities for growth within the organizing profession. Besides general organizing in homes and offices, organizers can write books, install closet systems, teach workshops, help with productivity and time management, produce podcasts, plan complex events, and collaborate with any number of professionals to help a client. Presenters urged us to use our gifts, talents, and skills in unique ways to make our business uniquely our own. Participants freely exchanged ideas, discussed challenges, and encouraged each other to grow.

My mind is swimming with possibilities. I have a long list of new things I want to try. I have a stack of business cards with contact information I am inspired and challenged to take my business to the next level. And I am already registered for NAPO 2019.

If you are an organizer and have never attended a NAPO conference, let me just say that you are totally missing out. Attending the conference was worth every penny I spent, and I will definitely attend every year. I highly recommend that you go. First time attendees are paired with a buddy to help them navigate the new settings. In fact, seasoned organizers look for first time attendees so that they can encourage them and share their experiences. The knowledge you gain through the sessions and during the personal interactions is invaluable.

If you’re not an organizer but are interested in the profession, I can tell you that organizers aren’t just nerdy uptight list-obsessed people. Organizers truly care about using their unique skills to make people’s lives better. And they love to have a great time! What a fun experience it was to dance to 80’s music with hundreds of people that “get” me.

I’m so glad I made the decision to attend the 2018 NAPO conference. Join me next year!

Angie Hyche lives in Kingsport, Tennessee and launched her company, Shipshape Solutions, in August 2016. After working in medicine and education, she is thrilled to finally be able to pursue her passion of organizing. Angie loves writing about organizing topics and has a twice a month organizing column in her local newspaper. She is grateful for all she has learned through professional membership in NAPO, and she is excited to be attending her first NAPO conference NAPO2018, this April. When she’s nor organizing, she enjoys acting in community theater productions and hiking and riding bicycle trails with her husband.