Last week, the Washburn Team attended the 2025 APNA (Association of Professional Nanny Agencies) Conference in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona. The event took place at the beautiful Fairmont Scottsdale Princess resort from September 17 to 19 and was full of learning, networking, and connecting with friends in the household staffing industry.
Fun fact: Our owner, Sarah Washburn, also serves on the APNA board!
Welcome Reception
The conference began on Wednesday evening with a welcome reception. It was a great way to start the week, catch up with old friends, and meet new people in the industry while enjoying the beautiful resort setting.
Days Full of Learning
Thursday and Friday were full days of sessions, with breakfast and lunch provided. The meals at the conference were excellent, probably some of the best we have had at a professional event. During the days, we attended presentations on topics such as AI tools for improving client and candidate processes, branding and marketing strategies, and household employment laws. We also had a chance to catch up on work by the pool and enjoy the Arizona sunshine in between sessions.
Vendor Fun
The vendors at the conference got really creative this year. For example, EngineHire brought a slushie maker that was a big hit, and we were thrilled to sponsor coffee, complete with our logo on cute little napkins. It was fun to see the energy and creativity around the vendor area and to connect with so many innovative companies.
Thursday Night Dinner
On Thursday evening, we went off-site for a dinner at Culinary Dropout hosted by our partner GTM Payroll. It was a wonderful evening to unwind after a full day, enjoy great food, and connect with colleagues in a more relaxed setting.
Closing Reception
After the final sessions on Friday, the conference wrapped up with a closing reception. It was a fun way to reflect on the week, connect one last time with friends and colleagues, and celebrate a successful event.
Enjoying the Resort
After the conference officially ended, our team stayed through the weekend to enjoy the resort and unwind. On Saturday night, we had a special Washburn Team dinner, celebrating the week and enjoying time together outside of the conference sessions.
A Conference We Always Enjoy
The APNA Conference is always a highlight for our team, and this year was no exception. Between the beautiful resort, excellent meals, informative sessions, and opportunities to connect with others in the industry, it was another week full of learning and laughter. We are excited to bring what we learned and the connections we made back to our work with families and household staff.
