NASMM 2026 Annual Conference & Expo

1A What Movers Wish Senior Move Managers Knew

Gain a behind-the-scenes look at the top 10 factors that ensure a seamless move from a mover's operational perspective
Identify and eliminate common prep mistakes that trigger costly delays and unexpected service fees
Learn specific staging and preparation protocols that allow moving crews to operate with maximum safety and speed
Implement proven tips for clear, effective coordination between SMMs, dispatchers, and crew leaders to ensure nothing is lost in translation
Explore efficient systems tailored for small, local, and long-distance relocations.
Analyze case studies of successful moves—and "train wrecks"—to develop proactive strategies for handling complex move-day challenges

Presenter: Jon Dalzell, Isaac’s Moving & Storage, Stoughton, MA

8A Anatomy of a Move: Same Job, Different Methods–What’s Better?

Map the key stages of a move where methodologies vary most across NASMM providers, and understand why these differences exist
Evaluate how different approaches to intake, packing, and close-out affect client experience, team workload, risk exposure, and profitability
Distinguish between aspects of move management where professional flexibility is a genuine asset vs. areas where shared standards could strengthen the industry
Apply insights from peer comparison and live demonstration to assess and refine your own methodology
Come ready to compare, debate, and contribute to one of the most practical conversations in move management: what does "better" look like, and who gets to decide?

Presenter: Paige Rabon & Cierra Olmsted, A Move Handled With Care, Centennial, CO

15A Aging in Place: Expand Your Revenue, Reach & Referrals

Identify specific Aging in Place services, including home safety assessments, functional decluttering, furniture reconfiguration, and downsizing without moving, that align with existing move management skills and can be integrated without restructuring your business model
Design a tiered Aging in Place service menu, from entry-level assessments to comprehensive ongoing support packages, with pricing logic and language that clients, families, and referral partners can quickly understand and act on
Craft a positioning message that distinguishes your Aging in Place offering from general home care or senior services, establishes early credibility in the senior journey, and differentiates you from competitors who engage only at the point of transition
Build a structured Aging in Place referral ecosystem by identifying, approaching, and maintaining relationships with occupational therapists, CAPS remodelers, home care agencies, elder law attorneys, and senior housing advisors — with strategies for becoming the trusted coordinator at the center of that network

Presenter: Kimberly Steele, Changing Places, West Linn, OR

22A Charge What You’re Worth: The Move Manager’s Guide to Profitability

Identify high-value, in-demand add-on services that enhance the client experience while meaningfully increasing your project revenue
Learn how to evaluate, select, and structure partnerships with third-party providers in ways that protect your margins, your reputation, and your client relationships
Discover how to build a comprehensive, project-based binding bid, and understand why flat-fee, scope-defined pricing is often more profitable than hourly billing
Explore how to confidently present your full bid to clients, address pricing hesitations, and close at higher rates without discounting your worth
Walk away with a repeatable pricing and scoping framework you can apply to your next project immediately

Presenters: Katherine Rush & Ellen Voigt, New Thresholds, Houston, TX

2B “I Forgot to Mention…” Successful Strategies for Managing Scope Creep

Recognize the small additions and incremental changes that signal scope creep before they derail a project
Apply proactive strategies, such as clear proposals, defined boundaries, and structured checklists, to prevent scope creep from the start
Respond professionally and confidently when project changes arise, protecting both the client relationship and your business
Use change orders and documentation practices to communicate scope adjustments clearly and ethically
Build team-wide consistency and accountability so every member can identify and flag scope creep in real time

Presenter: Marnie Dawson, Dawson Relocation, Chicago, IL

9B Stop Posting and Hoping: A Content Strategy Framework for Move Management Businesses

Apply keyword research fundamentals, including the distinction between long-tail and short-tail keywords, to build a content strategy that maps to how prospective clients search for move management services
Use a structured brainstorming process, including mining client emails and conversations, to generate a steady pipeline of content topics rooted in real questions your customers are already asking
Construct a content repurposing framework that transforms a single expertise area into multiple formats: blog posts, social media content, video, infographics, and more — without starting from scratch each time
Leave with a practical content plan and brainstorming tools ready to implement immediately after the conference

Presenter: Jaymie Shook, Wheaton-Bekins, Indianapolis, IN

16B Intentional Teams: Culture, Hiring, and Communication Strategies for Move Management Companies

Reframe workplace culture as a measurable operational tool, and identify the direct connections between intentional culture-building and employee retention, client outcomes, and business sustainability
Apply an accountability chart framework to define roles and responsibilities across leadership, team leads, and field staff, reducing role confusion and improving on-site and behind-the-scenes decision-making
Develop an employee persona that prioritizes emotional intelligence, communication style, and values alignment, and use it to shift hiring from reactive and skills-first to deliberate and mission-driven
Implement communication strategies that create psychologically safe team environments, where staff feel equipped to ask questions, raise concerns early, and hold themselves accountable without fear
Recognize and develop team leads as culture carriers, the critical bridge between clients, field staff, and leadership, and understand how their modeling of expectations directly shapes service quality
Adopt a set of simple, repeatable daily leadership habits and recognition practices that sustain team morale, reinforce performance standards, and support long-term staff development

Presenters: Sarah Carriere & Danielle Wellings-Carriere, OneSource Moving Solutions, Maidstone, ON, Canada

23B The Sellable SMM Business: How to Build Value, Attract Buyers, and Exit on Your Terms

Identify the tangible and intangible assets of a move management business, including systems, client relationships, staff structure, and brand reputation, and understand how each contributes to overall business value
Apply a practical framework for assessing the current value of your business and determine specific, near-term actions that will increase that value regardless of your intended sale timeline
Recognize the indicators that signal readiness to sell and develop an exit planning mindset that informs business decisions long before a transaction is imminent
Evaluate strategies for identifying and approaching potential buyers and understand what buyers in the senior services space are typically looking for in an acquisition
Navigate the key components of a business sale, including asset documentation, contract terms, and payment structure negotiation, with enough fluency to engage legal and financial advisors effectively

Presenters: Barry Izsak, PackingMovingUnpacking.com (original owner of Arranging It All, Austin, TX), Palm Springs, CA

3C Guardians of Trust: Building a Security-Conscious Professional Business

Hear how to use short, impactful storytelling at key moments to foster trust & create an emotional connection to accelerate decision-making
Understand how to “read the room” by decoding subtle clues in the home that reveal unspoken objections
Explore how to tackle client hesitations head-on to keep momentum moving forward
Find out how to deliver complex project plans with crystal clarity, boosting client buy-in & sales success

Presenter: Carol Kaufman, Alternatives TLC, Hawthorne, NJ

10C The Missing Piece: Soft Skills as Core Competencies in Move Management

Recognize the emotional and psychological dimensions of late-life transitions, including grief, loss of identity, and fear of diminished autonomy, and identify how these dynamics show up in client behavior during a move
Apply active listening and reframing techniques to facilitate difficult conversations about downsizing, safety, and decision-making in ways that preserve client dignity and reduce resistance
Navigate complex family dynamics with neutrality and calm presence, using communication strategies that translate conflict into clarity and help families move toward shared decisions
Adapt language and approach when working with baby boomers who prioritize independence and agency, shifting from problem-focused messaging to partnership and proactive planning
Develop personal practices for managing the emotional labor of this work, including boundary-setting, self-awareness, and reflection, as a sustainable long-term career strategy

Presenter: Sonya Weisshappel, Seriatim, New York City, NY

17C Before You Say Yes: What Move Managers Need to Know About Hoarding Before Accepting the Project

Differentiate between clutter, collections, and hoarding disorder, and use the Clutter Image Rating Scale to assess project complexity and inform intake decisions
Identify the physical, environmental, and emotional hazards common in hoarded homes and apply safety protocols that protect both clients and team members throughout the project
Use trauma-informed, non-shaming language when communicating with clients and families affected by hoarding, including strategies for navigating resistance, denial, and family conflict
Apply motivational strategies that help clients engage in the letting-go process: reducing trauma, building momentum, and supporting a successful project outcome.
Determine what resources, vendors, and support professionals to bring to a hoarding project, and recognize when a situation exceeds move management scope and requires referral

Presenter: Kristine Todd, KAT Organizing Relocation Solutions, Homewood, IL

24C The Adult Children Equation: Navigating Family Dynamics with Less Stress and More Support

Recognize common family patterns and pressure points that arise during senior transitions - including sibling conflict, geographic guilt, and role reversal - and anticipate how they are likely to surface during a project.
Apply practical communication strategies that reduce family tension, manage competing priorities, and keep the process moving forward without escalating stress or taking sides.
Establish and maintain healthy professional boundaries with clients and family members, including techniques for redirecting emotional dynamics without compromising trust or service quality.
Position yourself as a neutral professional who supports family collaboration — distinguishing the move manager's role clearly from that of mediator, therapist, or decision-maker.
Implement proactive approaches at project intake and key transition points that set clear expectations, invite family alignment, and reduce the likelihood of conflict derailing a move.

Presenters: Adrienne Mathias & Andrea Ruby, Living Forward, Needham, MA

Saturday, October 3, 2026 • 9:45 am – 10:45 am

4D From Solopreneur to Legacy: Building a Move Management Company That Runs Without You

Identify your current stage of business growth and the leadership challenges that come with it
Determine the right time to hire staff and outside professionals based on operational need, not revenue alone
Apply delegation and accountability structures that keep the business running without the owner in every decision
Construct a culture-building strategy that protects reputation and client trust as the team grows
Evaluate your own leadership transition and take steps toward building a business that creates lasting freedom and legacy

Presenters: Chantale Bordonaro, Simplicity Source, San Francisco, CA

11D You've Done This a Hundred Times…Until You Haven't

Identify high-risk decision points during senior and specialty moves where familiarity, time pressure, or confidence increase the likelihood of injury
Evaluate environments and tasks in real time to recognize when experience is replacing awareness and before an incident occurs
Apply practical risk controls — including sequencing, communication, and crew awareness — that reduce hazards without disrupting workflow
Understand the transfer of risk and how one decision on a job can affect the safety of the next person who enters that space
Build a culture of consistency and accountability that reduces injuries, near misses, and claims over time

Presenter: Sharyn Willard, Mature Transitions of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK

18D From Chaos to Connection: Managing Difficult Client Situations with Confidence

Recognize what's really driving difficult behavior: fear, grief, loss of control, cognitive overload, or family tension, so you can respond to the root cause, not just the surface conflict
Use practical, field-tested communication techniques to calm emotional or reactive clients while keeping the project moving and your professionalism intact
Set clear boundaries around scope, expectations, and behavior in a way that protects your business without damaging trust or rapport
Apply self-management and leadership strategies that protect team morale, prevent emotional burnout, and keep your crew steady when clients are not
Know when you're in ethically or legally risky territory and use documentation and communication practices that protect everyone involved

Presenter: Jennifer Baker, Right-Sized Living, Rutland, MA

25D From Sticker Shock to Signed Contract: Marketing, Value Communication, and Business Development for Move Managers

Identify how today's prospective clients, particularly adult children in the sandwich generation, are finding and evaluating senior move managers online, and apply foundational SEO strategies that improve discoverability without requiring technical expertise
Audit your current digital presence against the expectations of Millennial decision-makers, including website clarity, load speed, and the "three-second test" for immediate credibility
Adapt marketing content and messaging to resonate with adult children as the primary decision-influencer while preserving trust and dignity for the senior client at the center of the transition
Apply a structured value conversation framework that addresses price sensitivity before cost is introduced – reframing premium services as essential, outcomes-focused investments rather than line-item expenses
Develop a B2B business development approach for senior living communities, including strategies for positioning as a strategic partner and entering preferred provider contract negotiations with confidence

Presenter: Marlene Corpus, Mod Movers, Marina, CA

Saturday, October 3, 2026 • 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

5E Grief-Informed Moves: Supporting Whole-Person Transitions with Compassion and Clarity

Recognize grief signals in senior move transitions, including anticipatory grief, disenfranchised grief, and identity loss, and understand how time pressure and urgency can intensify emotional responses for clients and families
Use grief-aware language that validates emotions, reduces resistance, and maintains clear professional boundaries without minimizing or rushing the client's experience
Navigate complex family dynamics with greater sensitivity, including strategies for de-escalating emotionally charged situations and keeping the older adult's voice and autonomy centered
Collaborate effectively with financial, legal, and aging-care professionals along parallel service paths to ensure clients receive coordinated, compassionate support across the full scope of their transition
Identify when a client or family's emotional needs exceed move management scope and apply a clear framework for referring to other providers, and protecting both client outcomes
Adopt an ecosystem-based service orientation that positions the move manager as a connected, trusted member of a broader care team rather than an isolated service provider

Presenters: Kelly Baird, bQuest, Denver, CO & Melissa Douaire, M.Ed., M.Div., GC-C, Whole Person Conversations, Boulder, CO

12E Understanding Executive Function to Better Serve Employees & Clients

Identify signs of executive function challenges and emotional dysregulation in yourself, your team members, and your clients — and understand how high-stress transition environments amplify these dynamics for everyone involved.

Recognize your own energy patterns, triggers, and stress responses, and apply regulation strategies that allow you to lead steadily and show up as a reliable presence during demanding client situations.
Build team systems and operational scaffolding that support employees with varying executive function profiles — reducing dependence on perfect follow-through and improving consistency across your entire operation.
Adapt your client service approach when working with individuals whose moving stress is compounded by ADHD or executive function challenges, using communication and pacing strategies that reduce overwhelm and support better decision-making.
Apply immediate de-escalation strategies when you recognize dysregulation — in yourself or others — that restore calm, preserve professionalism, and keep the project moving forward.

Presenter: Jami Shapiro, Silver Linings Transitions, Carlsbad, CA

19E The Cost of Doing It All: Leadership, Margin, and Sustainable Growth in Move Management

Calculate the financial value of your time as a business owner and assess how current time allocation, including unbilled hours and absorbed coordination time, affects profit margins and long-term sustainability
Identify the specific patterns of owner over-involvement most common in senior move management, including emotional discounting and decision bottlenecks, and understand their compounding impact on annual financial performance
Distinguish between compassionate leadership and over-functioning, and apply practical boundaries that protect both the quality of client experience and the financial health of the business simultaneously
Implement decision-making guardrails and delegation structures that empower team leads and field staff to act decisively, reducing owner dependency without sacrificing service excellence or client trust
Outline a 12-month strategic growth plan that aligns projected revenue, staffing capacity, and leadership development into a sustainable model that supports both business growth and personal longevity in the profession

Presenters: Christine Visser & Madeline Gausch, Caring Transitions of Mill Creek, Everett & Snohomish, Snohomish, WA

26E Hidden Risks, High Stakes: A Practical Guide to Electronics and Data Security for Move Managers

Identify data-bearing devices commonly encountered during senior moves, including legacy laptops, external drives, smartphones, printers, and smart home devices, and assess the specific privacy risks each may present for older adult clients
Distinguish between data wiping, physical destruction, donation, and certified ITAD disposal, and apply a decision framework that matches the appropriate disposition method to the device type, data sensitivity, and client circumstances
Counsel clients and families on electronics-related privacy risks using clear, non-technical language, including how to present options, set expectations, and support informed decision-making during emotionally complex transitions
Incorporate secure electronics handling into standard operating procedures, including documentation practices and informed consent protocols that reduce organizational liability and demonstrate a defensible duty of care
Recognize the elevated vulnerability of older adults to identity theft and fraud from legacy devices, and apply heightened protocols during estate clear-outs, post-loss transitions, and relocations involving decades of accumulated digital records

Presenters: Heather Nickerson & Matthew Ramsey, Artifcts.com

Saturday, October 3, 2026 • 3:15 pm – 4:15 pm

6F From Rambling to Remarkable: Land Your Pitch Every Tim

Construct a clear, concise elevator pitch that communicates your unique value and business strengths within 30 seconds
Differentiate your services from competitors by identifying and articulating what makes your business genuinely distinct in your market
Adapt a core message for different audiences, including referral partners, allied professionals, and prospective clients
Recognize and correct common messaging mistakes — including over-explaining, jargon use, and underselling — that reduce credibility and close conversations prematurely
Apply a repeatable introduction framework across networking environments, partner meetings, and everyday client interactions to generate stronger professional connections.

Presenters: Sheri Godfrey, Senior Transitions, Kingston, ON Canada

13F Choosing Small: Why Less Can Mean More in Move Management

Explore why "staying small" is a strategic advantage and not a limitation
Distinguish between intentional smallness and unintentional stagnation
Build a small-but-mighty team by hiring for values, flexibility, and fit
Establish operational boundaries that preserve smallness in both day-to-day workflow and long-term planning
Understand the time management and workflow habits that make small operations thrive

Presenters: Kathy Blair, KRB Move Management, Palm Harbor, FL and Marnie Dawso, Dawson Relocation, Chicago, IL

20F The Perfect Plan...Until It Wasn't: Lessons in Complex Move Management, Vendor Dynamics, and Holding Your Ground

Understand how moving trucks are loaded, sequenced, and weight-distributed — and apply that knowledge to plan and communicate more effectively with move crews on complex, multi-destination projects
Recognize where client expectations and moving company operational priorities are likely to conflict and develop strategies for setting realistic expectations without overpromising outcomes
Establish working relationships with move crew leads and foremen prior to loading day on complex projects, including how to approach that conversation and what to cover before the truck arrives
Maintain professional authority and project leadership when vendors challenge, dismiss, or work around a move manager's plan, including practical strategies for holding your position while keeping the client's confidence intact
Develop the professional resilience to navigate public pushback, unexpected plan failures, and on-site conflict without losing composure, credibility, or the client's trust

Presenter: Emily Fawcett, Ruskin Road Professional Organizing, San Diego, CA

27F The Part-Time Hire That Changed Everything: Building a Business Development Position in a Small Move Management Company

Articulate why business development cannot be sustainably managed as an owner add-on, and build the internal case for dedicating a defined role, even part-time, to revenue growth
Identify the core skills, traits, and relationship competencies that define an effective business development professional in a senior move management context
Create a clear, results-focused job description for a part-time Director of Business Development role, including scope, target relationships, and performance expectations appropriate for a small team
Develop a compensation structure and revenue projection model that makes the financial case for the hire, including how to think about base pay, incentives, and realistic ROI timelines
Build an onboarding and relationship development framework that sets a new business development hire up for early wins and long-term partnership growth
Define and track the key performance indicators that measure the role's impact on revenue, referral pipeline, and community partnerships over time

Presenter: Janet Bernstein, The Organizing Professionals, Glenside, PA

Saturday, October 3, 2026 • 3:15 pm – 4:15 pm

6F From Rambling to Remarkable: Land Your Pitch Every Time

Construct a clear, concise elevator pitch that communicates your unique value and business strengths within 30 seconds
Differentiate your services from competitors by identifying and articulating what makes your business genuinely distinct in your market
Adapt a core message for different audiences, including referral partners, allied professionals, and prospective clients
Recognize and correct common messaging mistakes — including over-explaining, jargon use, and underselling - that reduce credibility and close conversations prematurely
Apply a repeatable introduction framework across networking environments, partner meetings, and everyday client interactions to generate stronger professional connections.

Presenters: Sheri Godfrey, Senior Transitions, Kingston, ON Canada

13F Choosing Small: Why Less Can Mean More in Move Management

Explore why "staying small" is a strategic advantage and not a limitation
Distinguish between intentional smallness and unintentional stagnation
Build a small-but-mighty team by hiring for values, flexibility, and fit
Establish operational boundaries that preserve smallness in both day-to-day workflow and long-term planning
Understand the time management and workflow habits that make small operations thrive

Presenters: Kathy Blair, KRB Move Management, Palm Harbor, FL and Marnie Dawso, Dawson Relocation, Chicago, IL

20F The Perfect Plan...Until It Wasn't: Lessons in Complex Move Management, Vendor Dynamics, and Holding Your Ground

Understand how moving trucks are loaded, sequenced, and weight-distributed — and apply that knowledge to plan and communicate more effectively with move crews on complex, multi-destination projects
Recognize where client expectations and moving company operational priorities are likely to conflict and develop strategies for setting realistic expectations without overpromising outcomes
Establish working relationships with move crew leads and foremen prior to loading day on complex projects, including how to approach that conversation and what to cover before the truck arrives
Maintain professional authority and project leadership when vendors challenge, dismiss, or work around a move manager's plan, including practical strategies for holding your position while keeping the client's confidence intact
Develop the professional resilience to navigate public pushback, unexpected plan failures, and on-site conflict without losing composure, credibility, or the client's trust

Presenter: Emily Fawcett, Ruskin Road Professional Organizing, San Diego, CA

27F The Part-Time Hire That Changed Everything: Building a Business Development Position in a Small Move Management Company

Articulate why business development cannot be sustainably managed as an owner add-on, and build the internal case for dedicating a defined role, even part-time, to revenue growth
Identify the core skills, traits, and relationship competencies that define an effective business development professional in a senior move management context
Create a clear, results-focused job description for a part-time Director of Business Development role, including scope, target relationships, and performance expectations appropriate for a small team
Develop a compensation structure and revenue projection model that makes the financial case for the hire, including how to think about base pay, incentives, and realistic ROI timelines
Build an onboarding and relationship development framework that sets a new business development hire up for early wins and long-term partnership growth
Define and track the key performance indicators that measure the role's impact on revenue, referral pipeline, and community partnerships over time

Presenter: Janet Bernstein, The Organizing Professionals, Glenside, PA

Saturday, October 3, 2026 • 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm

7G Meet Your Business Where It Is: A Practical Framework for Senior Move Managers in Their First Two Years

Evaluate current business operations using a practical self-assessment framework that identifies what is working, what feels unsustainable, and where small adjustments can create meaningful impact
Identify two to three priority areas requiring attention in an early-stage solo move management business, and understand how to sequence improvements without becoming overwhelmed
Establish sustainable pricing and workflow foundations that support consistent service delivery and reduce the gap between feeling busy and being profitable
Create a realistic 12-month business vision aligned with personal capacity and goals — specific enough to guide decisions but flexible enough to accommodate the realities of solo operation
Implement operational boundaries and daily practices that protect long-term sustainability and reduce the risk of burnout in the emotionally demanding work of senior move management

Presenter: Patsieann Misiti, Seniors Living Well, Daniels, WV

14G Nailed It! Everything You Never Knew About Hanging Art

Build the right toolkit and know exactly which tools and hardware to bring on every job, for every wall type and frame weight
Safely handle and hang canvases and large or fragile framed pieces, protecting both the art and the walls of a client's new home
Apply sightline principles to determine the right hanging height in any room, for any client
Use juxtaposition and negative space to arrange groupings that feel intentional and balanced, even without a design background
Plan and execute a gallery wall that honors a client's collection and brings personality to their new space
Problem-solve on the spot with practical hacks for when you don't have exactly the right tool or hardware available

Presenter: Jennie Alwood, Here to Home, Inc., Durham, NC

21G Legacy Organizing: The Business Case for Getting Ahead of Digital Complexity

Recognize this is a business session, not a tech tutorial. It’s focused on practical strategies for reducing overwhelm, protecting your time, and improving outcomes for clients
Identify where digital and legacy complexity surfaces during senior moves and its impact on scope, timelines, and client stress
Distinguish between legacy tasks that strengthen your services and those that should be referred or partnered out to protect your time and boundaries
Recognize warning signs that legacy or digital issues are quietly expanding project scope and use proactive communication to reset expectations early
Evaluate partnership and referral models for legacy support services and determine which approach best fits your business and client base

Presenter: Kate Hufnagel, The Digital Wrangler, Monument, CO

28G Same Client, Different Lane: Reframing the SMM and Mover Relationship

Define and communicate clear role boundaries between licensed movers and senior move managers, including how to convey those boundaries to staff at every level so client trust is protected throughout the project

Identify the most common breakdown points in mover-SMM working relationships, understand why they occur from a business and operational perspective, and apply targeted prevention strategies before problems emerge on-site
Implement structured communication protocols for use before, during, and after a move that reduce role confusion, manage client expectations, and minimize emotional and logistical risk
Evaluate prospective and existing mover partners against specific operational and ethical criteria that support consistent, professional service delivery across your organization
Build a repeatable collaboration framework that strengthens referral relationships with moving company partners while maintaining clear professional boundaries and protecting long-term profitability.

Presenter: Justin Hart, Just-In Time Moving and Storage, Mesa, AZ