Nearly 800 Professional Organizers Gathered at NAPO’s 21st Annual Conference and Organizing Expo

May 26, 2009 - PRLog -- During the four-day conference, which was held April 29-May 2, 2009, organizers furthered their professional organizing skills and networked with fellow organizers. Four dozen exhibitors were on hand at the Organizing Exposition, demonstrating the latest organizing products and services.

NAPO’s annual conference is the industry’s leading event, with unparalleled workshops featuring industry experts who shared business and organizing strategies, and guest speakers who educated and inspired attendees.

“Our annual conference brings together the best and the brightest in the professional organizing industry,” said incoming NAPO President Laura Leist. “Attending NAPO’s conference is the best way for professional organizers to learn from one another, make new connections within the industry and discover the newest techniques, products and services.”

Janice Simon, NAPO’s 2009 conference program planning committee chair, said a better proposal review process prevented session topic duplication and ensured that a variety of programs were available. NAPO’s conference featured sessions on time management, relocations, working with chronically disorganized clients and many other topics related to professional organizing. The common thread among them all was a drive to simplify people’s lives. “We received 111 proposals for concurrent sessions, which was truly amazing,” Simon said. “It enabled us to make the cream of the crop available to conference attendees.”

NAPO honors those who made a difference
NAPO presented a series of awards to members, associate members, organizing product companies and a nonprofit group during the 21st Annual Conference:

President’s Award: Valentina Sgro, for her outstanding contributions to NAPO

Service to NAPO: Holly Uverity, CPO®, for her many years of unwavering commitment and dedication

Shining Star Awards: Laura Leist CPO®, CRTS and Lauren Halagarda, CPO®, for their leadership role in the NAPO Web site redesign
Debbie Stanley, for her leadership role in the production of NAPO News

Associate Member Award: The Container Store®, for its steadfast commitment to NAPO and the professional organizing industry

Founders’ Award: Denslow Brown, CPO-CD®, for her outstanding contributions to the organizing profession. Criteria: The Founders’ Award is presented to a NAPO member, or group of NAPO members acting in concert, for outstanding contributions to the organizing industry as a whole. It is given in the spirit of the founders of NAPO to a member or group of members who helped to move the organizing profession forward.

Organizers’ Choice Awards:
·   Best Product- Business: OfficeMax, for the [IN]PLACE System by Peter Walsh
·   Best Product- Residential: Ziploc, for their Flexible Totes products
·   Best Product- Technology: The Neat Company, for their NeatDesk product
·   Best Service: National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD)

Organizing Excellence Award: Janet Russell, director of The Russell Home for Atypical Children, for organizing excellence in business and community service. Criteria: The Organizing Excellence Award is presented to a local individual or group that has demonstrated outstanding values and achieved measurable results through their organizational efforts. This award is presented not only because of their achievement but also because the results of their efforts are tied directly to their organizational capability. The search for worthy recipients was considered in the following categories for 2009: Business, Community, Education, Family, or Heroic Valor. The award is not open to NAPO members.

Besides the Russell Home for Atypical Children, NAPO members in Florida also selected: Leadership Broward Foundation, Inc. and H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship as Organizing Excellence Award nominees.

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The premier national association dedicated to the field of organizing, the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) is The Organizing Authority®. Formed in 1985 as a not-for-profit professional association.